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Many Americans experience headaches or migraines, but what they do not know is that irritating headache could be tied back to your oral health. In addition to your medical care doctor, you may want to consult your dentist when it comes to treating a headache. Dental pain and headaches have a lot in common with pain centered in the nerves and muscles running throughout the face and neck. If you suffer from headaches, it is very important for you to visit your dentist in Provo for proper diagnosis and treatment. Your dentist will be able to diagnose any dental problems you may have that are potentially causing you pain not only in your mouth, but in your head as well. Often, many will experience headaches as a result of a toothache or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Disorder. How can my Bite Cause my Headache? Tension headaches typically result from muscle strain, which is caused when your muscles are held tight for too long and begin to ache. Headaches from dental stress are a type of muscle tension headache, while a tension headache may be on one or both sides of your head, or even surrounding your head. Some signs that indicate your headache may have a dental origin include: * Pain behind the eyes
* Sore jaw muscles or tired muscles upon waking
* Teeth grinding
* Clicking or popping jaw joints
* Head and/or scalp that is painful to the touch The muscles that control your jaw and hold your head upright are very complex. Many people may not realize that every time they swallow, their upper and lower teeth must come together in a firm way to brace the jaw against the skull. Each day and night you swallow over 2,000 times, so if your bite is unstable, as from poorly aligned teeth or even a missing tooth, the muscles must work harder to bring the teeth together. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder Triggers Pain If you are experiencing any headaches or sleep disorders, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder, a painful condition that is often mistaken for those recurring headaches. In addition, if you grind your teeth, you might develop a serious problem with your jaw. Left untreated, this can adversely affect your teeth, gums, and bone structures of your mouth. Between five and ten percent of Americans suffer from TMJ symptoms that require some form of treatment. The temporomandibular joints are the points at which the lower jaw attaches to the skull, and are among the most complex joints in the human anatomy. If your jaw clicks or pops, this could be a sign of TMJ disorder. Joint sound is one of the most recognized signs of TMJ disorders.
Toothaches can Trigger Headaches Occasionally, a toothache can mimic a headache, causing you to focus your attention away from where it should be. Teeth are notorious for causing pain which is felt in a completely different area. Toothaches can be diagnosed where there is obvious infection or decay in a tooth, or where the tooth is tender. Sometimes, toothaches can be caused by a problem that does not originate in the tooth or the jaw. Pain around the teeth and the jaws can be symptoms of diseases of the heart, ears, and sinuses. It is important to recognize a toothache right away and receive treatment in order to protect your body from any further problems. Your dentist in Provo can examine your dental condition, assessing if there is a problem with your bite. When a problem is addressed, your dentist will offer a solution as to how to treat it. Using neuromuscular advancements in dentistry can help aide in correcting your bite before beginning any complex treatments. At your next dental visit, tell your Provo dentist about your headaches and an answer can be within reach.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading Provo dentist, Dr. Adrian Huang. Providing services from teeth whitening to braces, Dr. Huang, cosmetic dentist in Provo, provides the best in quality dental care for patients of all ages.
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