Headaches, Migraines, and Your Oral Health

Headaches and migraines are commonly suffered by people worldwide and can occur for a variety of reasons, from physical triggers such as atmospheric pressure to tension caused by stress or insomnia. But can your oral hygiene affect your headaches? Research in the dentistry field implies that, yes, your teeth can have a significant effect on headaches. So if you commonly suffer from headaches and can’t find an obvious cause, the answer may be in your mouth! Read on to find out which oral health issues directly impact headaches, and the best ways to alleviate both the cause and the symptoms…

Bad Bite

The most common oral cause for migraines is bad bite, or misaligned teeth, which can cause inflammation to your gums and muscles around the jaw, which then causes tension headaches and migraines. If you are concerned that your bite is misaligned, pay a visit to your dentist! There are many possible solutions, from orthodontic braces and surgery to retainers for nighttime use - once you find out which is the right step for you, you’ll be closer to banishing those headaches once and for all!

Bruxism

Also known as teeth grinding, bruxism is something that people experience for different reasons. Some find that they grind their teeth in their sleep, while others unconsciously grind their teeth due to stress or the use of stimulants, such as coffee. Common symptoms of bruxism include worn down teeth, disordered sleep, jaw pain, and - you got it - headaches! As a result of the different causes of bruxism, there are also a lot of different treatment possibilities to try out.  If you know that you grind your teeth due to stress, for instance, it is recommended to give yourself a jaw massage and do a relaxing activity before bed! You can also try out a night guard to protect your teeth from being ground down during your sleep.

Tooth Decay

Something as simple as a cavity can cause headaches if untreated, too, as the nerve endings around your teeth in your gums are connected through the jaw to the rest of your head, which is why sometimes a painful toothache can result in a pounding headache! If you know you have cavities, don’t delay treatment - it may result in more serious problems down the line. 

The Takeaway