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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 seeking care from your general 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 may be important for you to visit 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. Headaches from dental stress are a type of muscle tension headache. 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 and many people don't even 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 2000 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. For the most part, your jaw muscles never get a break. As a result, your overworked muscles become strained and will eventually become painful. Toothaches can Trigger Headaches Occasionally, a toothache can mimic a headache, causing you to focus your attention away from the source of the pain. 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. With a consultation with your dentist, they 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 visit to your dentist in Warrenton, tell them about your headaches and an answer can be within reach.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading Warrenton oral surgery dentists Drs. Yung and Jelinek. Offering a wide range of services including oral surgery, implants and dentures in Warrenton Drs. Yung and Jelinek are qualified to handle any dental need for patients of all ages.
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