For those experiencing migraine headaches, the culprit could be related to one’s dental health. In fact, among the known causes of head pain are dental problems such as a “bad bite,” tooth grinding, tooth decay and gum disease. June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month and this year’s theme, “The Art of Managing Your Headache,” highlights the many issues that can trigger even some of the most painful headaches and migraines
We all know loud noises, allergies, and stress can cause painful headaches. However, many people don’t realize that certain habits, dental issues, and even the condition of our oral health can worsen or even be the cause of our headaches and migraines.
- Bad Bite: Loose, missing, sore or misaligned teeth may result in what is called a “bad bite,” which can make jaw muscles work harder, resulting in a constant constraint, to bring teeth together, swallow and even keep the mouth closed.
- Grinding or clenching the teeth: often due to stress or misaligned teeth, can also cause muscle and gum inflammation, triggering migraines and headaches. Sore jaws, a clicking sound when opening the mouth, a dull constant headache that originates around the temples or behind the eyes, tender teeth, trouble opening and closing one’s mouth, and even tongue indentations are typical signs of tooth grinding.
- Bruxism: the formal term for grinding teeth — often happens during sleep, and people may not know they are doing it until a partner or roommate, roused or kept awake by the sound of grinding, alerts them to the problem. Tooth grinding can also result in flattened and sensitive teeth, fractured fillings, cracked dental crowns, and chipped or broken teeth.
- Tooth Decay: Tooth decay or gum disease can “refer” pain to the head, making the sufferer believe he or she suffers from headaches rather than an oral infection. Many headaches can be due to such “referred pain,” which is experienced in another part of the body than the area that is the actual cause of the pain.
“It’s important to see a dentist regularly and to let them know if you are experiencing any headaches or migraine headaches, or any of the symptoms mentioned above, as it may be corrected with a simple dental procedure or mouth guard or even help to identify a larger oral health issue that needs immediate attention,” said Chase. READ MORE on Business Wire
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