Understanding the Connection Between Teeth Misalignment and Headaches.
You might not know it, but there is a possibility that your teeth’ misalignment could be the reason behind your headaches. Misalignments in the mouth can be challenging for your head to deal with, and if it’s severe enough, a visit to the dentist could be your only option. Keep reading if you’re looking for a new dentist or want some insight into your health.
Dental Issues cause Signs Your Headache May
You might not know it, but you could be experiencing a headache with a link to your teeth. A misalignment of your teeth could be the problem that’s worsening your pain. Common conditions that could cause headaches include misaligned teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), bulging or tight facial muscles, and misaligned jawbones.
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint or TMJ is an area of the mouth where two bones meet—the hinge where your mandible (lower jaw) meets your maxilla (upper jaw). For your teeth to be in good alignment, your face muscles must be balanced, and when they’re not, your jaw can become misaligned.
How Can Misaligned Teeth Cause a Headache?
Misaligned teeth are either anterior or posterior. The ones that cause headaches are most commonly anterior. These teeth have been pushed too far forward in the mouth, leaving less space for other teeth to fit into, leading to crowding and overlapping of the already existing teeth (misalignment).
As a result, it can lead to jaw misalignment because your teeth are not correctly in place and are not as aligned as expected. Consequently, it will cause problems with your temporomandibular joint. If this hinge is out of alignment, it can cause issues, including headaches.
When Misaligned Teeth Cause Headaches
Your misalignment might be causing your headaches because you’re experiencing jaw or facial pain. In many cases, the symptoms of TMJ will be identical to the symptoms of headaches. Most people will go to the doctor for a headache without realizing that their headaches could be linked to TMJ. If you experience any of the symptoms below, search for an Invisalign dentist near me to get recommendations to the closest dentist.
Some of these symptoms will include:
- Pain behind your eyes
- Toothaches
- Soaring of jaw muscles
- Teeth grinding
- The clicking of your jaws
- Scalp tenderness
How Are Dental Issues Related to Headaches?
The following are ways in which the pain you feel in your mouth could lead to headaches.
- Nerve Pain
In your lower jaw, forehead, and cheeks is the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is responsible for transmitting sensations from your face to your brain. When this nerve gets affected by the mouth, it may trigger headaches.
- Muscle Overwork
When your jawbone and face muscles are overworked, they cause painful symptoms. The pain will then be transmitted into the nerves of your brain and cause headaches.
- Stress
The face and jaw muscles are fragile, so they frequently contract without a person noticing. Facial contractions are linked to headaches because if your muscles are tense, they could be prone to spasms, resulting in migraines or headaches.
4 Teeth Grinding
If your teeth or your jaw are misaligned, your grinding will cause pain to the surrounding muscles in the face. If this pain is paired with stress, there will be a likelihood that you will experience headaches.
Interesting Fact
If you have constant headaches, they might be due to a tooth infection or gum disease. If so, make sure that you visit a dentist and ask them if they can perform an x-ray to determine the reason behind your headaches.
How Can My Dentist Help?
Your dentist can help with your headaches by giving you a proper diagnosis. If they know that there is a chance your misalignment is causing your headaches, they can fix the problem with the appropriate adjustment. For example, the procedure might include orthodontics (straightening teeth and correcting jaws), relieving pressure on nerves or tissues in the mouth, and evaluating stressors on your muscles. Your dentist can also perform a visual exam to see the jaw’s alignment.
How Can Misaligned Teeth Be Fixed?
Often, it’s possible to correct tooth problems in your mouth with orthodontics. Special braces can help realign your teeth and bring them into a better position. For example, if you’re looking for a new dentist, consider calling one specializing in treating misalignment problems. They can also help with crook teeth. Most modern dentists may recommend using an Invisalign.
If you’re experiencing a headache, you should consult your dentist. The misalignment of your teeth might be the cause. If there could be a chance that your misaligned teeth are causing your headaches, then you should get them fixed.