If you have a headache, you might reach for a bottle of aspirin, or try to take a nap to deal with your discomfort, but would you think to contact your dentist? People who experience problems with headaches and migraines can be surprised to learn that their issues are linked to problems with their oral health. You may be dealing with chronic discomfort because you have not addressed problems with TMJ dysfunction. This term refers to issues that affect an individual’s jaw joints and/or muscles. At our Katy, TX dental practice, we can help you by determining if your headaches and migraines are linked to jaw problems, and discuss relief. We can also do work to determine how other oral health issues might be affecting your jaw, and recommend appropriate treatment.
How Can Oral Health Problems Cause Headaches And Migraines?
An issue that puts excessive stress on your jaw joints and muscles can cause you to suffer daily pain in your face, head, jaw, and neck, while also making jaw movements difficult. Why would jaw troubles cause issues in so many areas? Your trigeminal nerve is responsible for the movement of your jaw, as well as sensation in areas like your face, neck, and head. If a problem with your jaw is not resolved, the pain can spread to these other locations, and leave you spending time reeling from headaches and migraines.
Addressing Your Troubles With TMJ Dysfunction
A flawed bite motion may be responsible for your issues with TMJ dysfunction. In order to better understand your jaw movements, our office uses Tekscan pressure mapping to test how you apply force when you bite down, and the movement of your jaw when you open your mouth. Reviewing this information can help us locate imbalances that need to be corrected to relieve stress causing TMJ dysfunction. We can also help take stress away from your jaw joints by creating a custom appliance that will hold your jaw in a way that alleviates pressure and pain.
Responding To Other Oral Health Issues Causing TMJ Issues
After studying your bite, your dentist may determine that an effective treatment for your dental issues will require some form of restorative dentistry. You may not be able to bite properly because you have certain teeth that are not strong enough to provide support when you bite and chew. Restoring these teeth with dental crowns can be necessary before changing your dental function. The alignment of a person’s teeth can also be relevant to their bite motion. If your teeth are not properly aligned, we can talk about using Invisalign aligners to straighten them.
Talk To Lathrop Dental Center About Your Issues With Headaches And Migraines
At Lathrop Dental Center, patients who are experiencing problems with headaches and migraines may enjoy relief through dental treatment! At our practice, we can work with individuals in Katy, TX, as well as surrounding areas like Fulshear, who are concerned about the possible link between their headaches and their oral health! If you would like more information, you can reach our office in Katy, TX, by calling 832-437-3849.
