Another Headache? Dang!

Many people suffer with headaches for years without getting to the root cause of their problem. Up to 1 in 4 people may have some symptoms. Both men and women are equally affected, although women tend to ask for treatment more often than men. If you find yourself constantly popping painkillers to get through the day, it might be worth a trip to see a medical professional – but it may not be the person you think. Did you know that in many cases, frequent, or even constant headache pain can be treated more effectively by your dentist, instead of by your GP? Headaches are strange beasts. Their cause is often elusive, and they can range from mildly irritating to unrelentingly painful. Since frequent headaches can interfere with your quality of life, if you experience pain that remains after treatment from a physician, you might wish to see your dentist. After all, you may be suffering from what is called a “dental headache.”

Talking with Dr. Still, along with your family physician can be a great start when dealing with chronic headaches, because dental issues frequently contribute to head pain. In fact, the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain estimates that 80% of headaches are caused by muscle tension, which often originates in the jaws.

So what do tension headaches feel like? A tension headache can originate on one side of your head or can pervade your entire skull. Typically, tension headaches feel like a dull, throbbing ache inside your head. Some patients at our Smile Sarasota office report that they feel as though a metal band has been wrapped around their head and is causing significant pressure. Several common symptoms suggest that tension headaches may be caused by dental issues:

• Feeling as though your head or scalp is painful to the merest touch
• Experiencing a dull or throbbing pain behind the eyes
• Clicking or popping sounds in your jaw joints
• Grinding teeth or clenching the jaws, particularly in times of anxiety or during the night
• Feeling as though your jaw muscles are sore when you wake up from sleep

What are the origins of headaches? Several dozen muscles control your facial expressions, jaw movements, and motions such as swallowing. When these muscles are contracted for long periods of time, tension builds up within the muscle and can lead to headaches. This may happen if you clench or grind your teeth at night, your bite is misaligned, or you have muscle imbalances in the jaw or neck.

Fortunately, a visit to Smile Sarasota can be a way to alleviate your headaches, including a nightguard, also called a biteguard, which resemble a sports mouthguard, may also be helpful if you frequently grind your teeth or clench your jaws during sleep. Nightguards distribute the tension from your clenched jaws and reduce the possibility of dental damage.

Physical therapy and relaxation. Correcting the posture of your shoulders, neck, and head may alleviate muscle tension associated with headaches

 

Sources and Credits: American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, Patient Connect 365, Dentalhealth.org