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Many Americans experience headaches or migraines, but what they do not know is that an 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 discomfort centered in the nerves and muscles running throughout the face and neck. In addition to poor habits, the discomfort may cause a painful feedback loop with head pain triggering jaw and neck pain and vice versa. If you suffer from headaches, consider visiting your dentist for proper consultation. 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 result from a muscle strain, which is when muscles are held tight for too long and begin to ache. A tension headache may be contained on one or even both sides of 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
• Neck/shoulder pain
• Ringing in the ears
The muscles that control your jaw and hold your head upright are very complex and many people don't even realize that every time they swallow, their upper and lower teeth must come together firmly to brace the jaw against the skull. Each day and night you swallow over 3000 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. 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 can be felt in a completely different area than it originates in. 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. Neuromuscular Dentistry Finds Relief Neuromuscular dentistry is changing the way that dentists treat migraines and headaches. By treating TMJ with this type of dentistry, dentists who are trained in NM dentistry are able to help patients unlike any other type of treatment. Neuromuscular dentistry corrects the bite and realigns the jaw. Your dentist will first determine the optimal position of the jaw by measuring the relaxed position of the head and neck muscles. Next, your dentist will reposition the jaw to achieve the exact measurements. With this treatment, bite abnormalities are corrected by allowing the jaws to go to their optimal positions for the long term. A consultation with your dentist will allow them to 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 the next visit to your dentist, tell them about your headaches and an answer can be within reach.
Dr. Mark A. Braasch of Braasch Dentistry is a dentist in Omaha, NE. Offering a wide array of general and cosmetic dental care including treatment for sleep apnea, TMJ and migraine therapy in Omaha, this cosmetic dentist in Omaha is qualified to handle any of your dental needs.
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