Migraines and Your Teeth

Migraine headaches can put the brakes on anyone’s day. They can mean time away from family, friends and work, not to mention the inconvenience and personal discomfort. One of the major causes of migraine headaches is dental issues.

Oral Issues that can cause migraines

           Teeth Grinding: Because you may unconsciously clench your teeth during the day or grind them at night, headaches will often follow suit. Treatment options can include stress-management techniques, reducing the amount of caffeine and alcohol a person drinks, or wearing a custom-fitted oral orthopedic splint. Many times there are underlying factors that need to be evaluated, so it is always recommended to consult with a board-certified health professional.

Malocclusion: Malocclusion means that the teeth are not aligned properly, which can affect the bite and ultimately cause severe headaches. Braces or other appliances such as a night guard can be used to solve this problem.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Impacted simply means that the teeth are unable to emerge and take their expected position in the mouth. Impaction is usually caused by a lack of space in the jaw for the new teeth and can be a major cause of headaches. Its best to get these removed.

      Abscessed Tooth: An abscessed tooth is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and the tooth. Its most commonly caused by severe tooth decay and can cause a throbbing headache as well. A root canal is usually necessary to fix this issue.

      If you have been having severe migraines or chronic headaches, contact us today so we can get to the root of the problem and find a solution.