Migraine and Jaw Clenching: Is Bruxism Feeding the Migraine Loop?

Could your jaw be quietly adding fuel to your migraine attacks?

In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores how jaw tension, clenching, and TMJ dysfunction may interact with migraine, especially if you wake with headaches or feel pain around your temples.

You’ll learn:

💡 How to recognize signs that jaw tension or clenching may be contributing to your migraine

💡 Why teeth and tongue position at rest matter and why a mouth guard may not solve the clenching itself

💡 A simple jaw-reset routine you can try at home to release tension and calm the system

Sometimes, a small change in how you hold your jaw can make a surprisingly meaningful difference.

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🔗 Discover our work on migraineheroes.com

References:

• Temporomandibular Disorders in Migraine and Tension-Type Headache Patients: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis (Bizzarri et al., 2024): This review found painful TMDs are more common in people with migraine and tension-type headache. Read more here.
• Exploring the Bidirectional Association Between Migraine and Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Dias et al., 2026): This review found a substantial association between migraine and TMD in both directions. Read more here.
• International Consensus on the Assessment of Bruxism: Report of a Work in Progress (Lobbezoo et al., 2018): This consensus distinguishes awake and sleep bruxism and describes bruxism primarily as a behavior. Read more here.
• Association Between Primary Headache and Bruxism: An Updated Systematic Review (Réus et al., 2021): This review found limited migraine evidence, with a clearer association between awake bruxism and tension-type headache. Read more here.
• Evidence for Central Sensitization in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies (La Touche et al., 2018): This analysis found evidence of increased pain sensitivity in people with TMD. Read more here.
• Diagnostic Criteria for Headache Attributed to Temporomandibular Disorders (Schiffman et al., 2012): This study developed clinical criteria for identifying headaches attributable to TMD.Read more here.
• Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders for Clinical and Research Applications (Schiffman et al., 2014): This work established validated diagnostic criteria for common temporomandibular disorders. Read more here.
• Associations Between Sleep Bruxism and Other Sleep-Related Disorders in Adults: A Systematic Review (Kuang et al., 2022): This review found sleep bruxism more common in several sleep disorders and highlighted sleep arousal as a possible link. Read more here.
• Influence of Occlusal Appliances on the Masticatory Muscle Function in Individuals With Sleep Bruxism (Ferreira et al., 2024): This review found oral appliances did not consistently reduce muscle activity or bite force. Read more here.
• Efficacy of Conservative Interventions Targeting Temporomandibular Disorders for Adults With Headache Disorders (Demont et al., 2025): This review found limited-certainty evidence for headache improvement from TMD-focused conservative treatments. Read more here.
• The Efficacy of Manual Therapy Approaches on Pain, Maximum Mouth Opening and Disability in Temporomandibular Disorders (Vieira et al., 2023): This review found manual therapy may improve TMD pain, mouth opening, and disability. Read more here.
• TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders) (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research): This guidance recommends conservative care first and cautions against unnecessarily irreversible treatments. Read more here.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for health-related concerns.