Can A Dentist Treat Your Headaches?

It’s not uncommon to have headaches — even chronic headaches — and find little relief. Sometimes, even a visit to the doctor may not find the cause.

If this sounds like you and you think you’ve run out of options, there's one place you may not have considered going to get help: the dentist. A dentist can often get to the bottom of what’s causing your headaches by simply looking at the alignment of your teeth.

In this blog, Joseph Yousefian, DMD, of Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults explains how a dentist might be able to see if oral issues are causing your headaches and what can be done about the problem.

How oral issues can cause headaches

You might be surprised to learn that many headaches have their roots in your teeth and jaws. For example, if your jaws are out of alignment, this could put constant pressure on your skull, which could lead to headaches. Some situations that can lead to chronic headaches include the following:

TMJ disorder

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that serves as the hinge between your upper and lower jaws, and it also connects your lower jaw to your skull. TMJ disorder is a condition that stems from this joint not working properly. Symptoms of TMJ disorder can include the following:

• Headaches
• Jaw pain
• Inability to open your mouth wide
• A popping or clicking sound when you open your jaws, especially when you chew
• Discomfort while chewing
• Aching in the face or jaw
• Having your jaw get stuck while chewing

TMJ disorder is more common in women than men, but it can happen to anyone. Although you may not be aware of it, this joint is one of the most used joints in your body, since you use it to talk, chew, and smile. TMJ disorder can be very painful, and it can often contribute to headaches.

Malocclusion

Malocclusion is the technical term for a misalignment in your bite. If your jaw isn’t properly aligned, it could cause the muscles in your face to become fatigued. This, in turn, could trigger headaches. 

Bruxism

Bruxism, or tooth-grinding, can have big consequences. You may grind your teeth only at night or during the day as well. Grinding your teeth puts more pressure on your facial muscles, which can lead to headaches.

How to treat headaches

If you have headaches that are caused by oral issues, the good news is they can often be treated. Some of the options Dr. Yousefian may recommend include the following:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Muscle relaxers, which can relax the facial muscles around your jaw
• Wearing a bite guard to deal with tooth-grinding
• Botox injections to relax certain muscles
• Relaxation techniques

Although dealing with the pain of dental-related headaches can be difficult, it’s not something you have to live with. To see if dental issues are causing your headaches and to learn about your treatment options if they are, book an appointment online or over the phone with Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults today.