When you think of what may be causing your headaches, many things may come to mind – lack of sleep, stress, poor posture, etc. But one reason you may not have considered is that a dental issue may be causing those headaches.
How Can Dental Issues Cause a Headache?
Headaches can be caused by a number of different ailments related to your dental health – from the simplest of cavities to a more complex jaw issue. Let’s take a look at the various ways dental issues can be causing your headaches.
Cavities or Infection
If you have pain in your teeth or gums because of cavities, an infection, or an abscess, that pain can radiate to other parts of your head.
Bad Bite
A major cause of dental headaches can be a bad bite – which can occur due to misaligned teeth or jaw. When the chewing surfaces of your teeth don’t meet each other properly when shutting your jaw, it can cause pain and headaches.
When your bite is misaligned, your jaw muscles have to work harder to align your teeth to chew your food – thus becoming strained and causing pain.
Teeth Grinding and Jaw Issues
The most common headaches associated with dental issues are tension headaches. These tension headaches are caused by muscle strain that builds up in the mouth and jaw.
Some people grind their teeth when they sleep or experience clicking in their jaw, both of which can cause sore jaw muscles and an accompanying headache. These headaches can cause a dull pain in your teeth or mouth, or on the sides of your head. When you grind your teeth while you sleep, you’re overworking your jaw muscles, which can cause pain.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome)
If you grind your teeth, have clicking or popping in your jaw, cannot open your mouth fully while yawning, and/or have jaw pain, you may have a common condition called TMJ. This condition upsets the musculature of your jaw, which can cause severe headaches. In fact, these headaches are often misdiagnosed as migraine headaches.
If any of these issues sound familiar, you should see a dentist to evaluate your jaw muscles and your bite.
Skilled Dentist in Chelsea
Are you suffering from headaches? There’s no need to suffer anymore. Our dentists at Teeth & Smiles, can help you determine whether those headaches are a result of underlying dental issues. Regular visits to your dentist and maintaining your oral health can be the key to eliminating your headaches.
To schedule an appointment or a consultation, and to receive the personalized care you deserve, please call the surgeryon020 7352 7049today. We look forward to helping you get much-needed relief from dental-related headaches so you really have a reason to smile.