When we suffer from chronic headaches or severe migraines we don’t always consider all the possible culprits. Stress, lack of sleep, excessive caffeine, and illness are widely known causes of headaches. However, not many people realize how much of an affect your oral health can have on head pain. If you’ve been struggling with recurring headaches, it may be worth considering a visit to Dr. Tran in Cypress, TX.
How Do Dental Issues Cause Headaches?
All your joints and muscles work together as a system, so problems in one area can ripple out to cause unexpected side effects. Your mouth and jaw are a critical part of that system. If your bite is misaligned, strain can begin to build up in the jaw since it isn’t able to properly relax. That strain can spread to your shoulders, neck, and head to create muscle soreness and headaches. Most of the time these issues originate in specific joints on the side of your jaw called temporomandibular joints. In addition to TMJ disorders, sometimes people may grind their teeth while they sleep. If you notice yourself waking up with a sore, clenched jaw, it’s a good sign you may be dealing with bruxism. Bruxism and TMJ are separate conditions that Dr. Tran will be able to diagnose and create a custom treatment plan to resolve.
What Does the Treatment Process Involve?
Generic pain medications may help with the immediate symptoms, but it’s more valuable to treat the root cause of the problem. Both TMJ and bruxism can benefit from oral splints or mouthguards. Mouthguards are made to custom fit your jaw so your unique alignment issues will be taken into account. They help to take the strain off your jaw and reduce the wear and tear on your teeth. Oral appliances and simple therapeutic exercises are enough to significantly reduce symptoms of TMJ in most cases. For advanced cases, orthodontic treatment or even surgical correction may be recommended.
Reducing Headaches in Cypress, TX
At Alder Trails Dental in Cypress, TX, we can diagnose any underlying dental issues such as TMJ/TMD and bruxism and provide gentle, affordable treatment. Don’t put up with headaches caused by these correctable problems any longer! Alder Trails Dental also provides a full range of dental treatments for preventive, cosmetic and restorative care. Don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule a consultation today!
