Signs That Your Headache May Be Caused by Dental Problems
Migraines are common among patients globally. Their prevalence is mostly because various factors can cause headaches. Therefore, before taking medication or self-diagnosing yourself, consider the varying causes of migraine headaches, including dental problems. If not, all your attempts at migraine prevention near you will prove futile.
Headaches are aches or pains centered around the head and face. The different types of headaches affect varying portions of the head and face. For example, a sharp pain on the sides of your head differs from a squeezing pain at the front of your head, centered around your eyes. Since it can be overwhelming to master the different types of headaches, familiarize yourself with the causes.
What Are the Common Causes of Headaches?
For effective migraine prevention in Irvine, CA, you should know about the major causes of headaches. Depending on the type of migraine you have, various factors can cause your headache, including the following:
- Inadequate sleep and fatigue
- Sinuses infections
- Too much caffeine or too little caffeine, causing withdrawal
- Consuming alcohol or tobacco
- Poor lighting
- Stress and anxiety
- Skipping meals
- Cold or Influenza
- Environmental Triggers like smoke or loud noise
- Digestive problems
- Injuries
- Underlying dental problems
How Do You Know That Your Headache Is Caused by A Dental Problem?
Doctors who emphasize migraine prevention near you stress the importance of good oral care. Ideally, any oral complications can lead to headaches. A headache caused by oral problems feels like a classic tension headache that features pain in the center of the head radiating from the mouth and eyes as it spreads toward the ears. It is a throbbing ache that occurs because the trigeminal nerve is irritated or inflamed, triggering the headache. Besides, a dental-related headache is often accompanied by other symptoms, including the following:
- A toothache
- Tender gums and sensitive teeth
- Jaw and gum pain
- Swollen gums and mouth
- Ear pain
- Pain behind the eyes
- Neck pain
- Clicking sounds when you move your jaw
Common Dental Problems That Can Cause Headaches
When the dentist establishes that your migraine is caused by dental issues, it can be linked to any of the following oral conditions:
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) – is a condition that features problems with the jaw joint, muscles, and connective tissues that connect the jawbone to the skull.
- Toothache – the pain of an aching tooth can spread throughout your face, causing a headache.
- Tooth decay – a cavity in one of your teeth can lead to a toothache.
- Tooth fracture – a cracked or broken tooth can impact the nerve endings enough to cause dental pain and migraines.
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Improper bite
- Impacted teeth – when teeth grow improperly, they can remain stuck underneath the gums. It is common for wisdom teeth, the last molars that erupt in an adult’s mouth.
How to Treat Migraines Caused by Dental Pain
The only way to alleviate a dental-related headache is by seeking treatment from a dentist in Irvine. The dentist will examine your health to determine the underlying oral issue causing your headache. Some of the treatment protocols to manage pain in dentistry are:
- Root canal therapy – is an endodontic treatment that treats the insides of the damaged tooth to remove infected tissues and alleviate pain.
- Tooth extraction – sometimes, dentists may recommend tooth removal to alleviate pain and treat other symptoms.
- Orthodontic treatment to realign your bite – you may need to wear braces for several months to correct your bite.
- A night guard for treating bruxism at night – helps alleviate the pressure exerted on the jaw when you grind your teeth.
- Tooth replacement – a dentist near you can recommend denting dental bridges, dentures, and tooth implants to replace your lost teeth. Replacing teeth can also promote the evenness of your bite.
Other Ways to Overcome Migraines
Migraine prevention in Irvine, CA, should entail more than just treating diseased teeth. Proactive Healthcare measures can help overcome headaches. Some tips to avoid migraines are:
- Stay hydrated
- Get enough good-quality sleep every night
- Maintain good oral health