Have you recently had a botched dental procedure? Do you notice worse headaches or migraine attacks since then? Have you tried taking medications but experienced minimal improvements in your symptoms? If you answer yes to at least one of these questions, chances are you also want to know if dental issues can set off worse headaches.
The short answer to this question: YES. Patients with dental problems can experience headaches apart from their usual symptoms. This reason may not be top of mind even for those who badly seek migraine relief in Vancouver. But in reality, your dental issues and headaches can be related.
If you’re wondering how dental issues lead to headaches that can worsen your migraine episodes, below are some possible causes. Knowing these may be helpful to enjoy noticeable relief.
The pain you feel in your gums or teeth from cavities, infection, or an abscess can all radiate to your head due to your trigeminal nerve controlling your mouth movements, such as biting and chewing. The pain you feel on this nerve can trigger other nerves, so even if it starts from your tooth, you may feel it in your forehead, temples, or even behind your eyes.
Jaw malocclusions or misalignment can bring pain and headaches due to their effects on the jaw and facial muscles. Excessive tugging on the muscle fibers on your face and jaw adds unecessary pressure on nearby structures like the trigeminal nerve.
Tension headaches are usually associated with dental issues due to muscle strains building up in the mouth and jaw area. People who grind their teeth during sleep or those who experience clicking in the jaw can lead to sore jaw muscles and headaches.
Sometimes, your jaw and trigeminal nerve issues may stem from a misalignment in the neck - a common consequence of previous head and neck injuries.
Your upper cervical spine, where your topmost bones, called the atlas and the axis, is located under your skull. These bones are prone to misalignments from injuries or natural wear and tear, which can lead to inflammation of the cranial nerves. The misalignments can also lead to tightening of the jaw, neck, and facial muscles, which can result in jaw dysfunction affecting your TMJ and trigeminal nerve. Migraine issues may stem from this too.
If you’ve been experiencing headaches and painful migraine episodes, having your dental issues sorted out may be a big help. Getting your spine alignment checked might also be an excellent addition to your care plan to minimize the pain and help your body heal. It’s possible that injuries from the past (besides botched dental procedures) have cause long-term problems to your nervous system as well as the blood vessels and muscles connecting to your head, neck, and shoulders.
Balanced Living Chiropractic has been helping patients around Vancouver, WA, and nearby areas with issues with their upper cervical alignment. Every case is unique; therefore, your chiropractor will always recommend a personalized care regimen to match your needs. Click here to book your appointment.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Joe Perin, call our Vancouver office at 360-597-4784. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
