What Options do You Have if Your Teeth Cause You Headaches?

When you wake up with a headache, it usually means the start of a bad day.  There are many potential causes when it comes to bad headaches, including oral issues.  Studies have found that there’s a direct correlation between tooth pain and headaches in some patients.  If you’re experiencing both symptoms, it’s important to mention this correlation to your dentist.  Relief from chronic headaches could have roots in oral care.

Why are my teeth causing headaches?

Toothache-related headaches tend to begin in the trigeminal nerve.  This is a large nerve that controls all facial sensations, including biting and chewing.  Often affected when you have a toothache, the trigeminal nerve will sometimes trigger a migraine headache in response to oral issues.  Some of the triggers behind these nerve-induced headaches include:

• Cavities and infections – Cavities don’t usually cause headaches, but often result in bad tooth pain if left untreated. Tooth infections can sometimes cause headaches if the infection has spread.
• Impaction and overcrowding – Impacted teeth are unable to grow through the gums, which could cause pain to both the mouth and head. Some people with overcrowded teeth experience headaches.
• TMJ and TMD – TMJ and TMD, or temporomandibular joint syndrome and temporomandibular disorder, are both joint issues that cause pain during jaw movement. Headaches are a common symptom of those with TMJ and TMD.
• Bruxism and grinding – Teeth grinding can cause plenty of issues, including tooth fractures and jaw muscle pain. Headaches sometimes occur after excessive teeth grinding – especially after night grinding.
• Tooth sensitivity – Those with tooth sensitivity often experience some level of oral pain when cold or hot substances meet their teeth. Unchecked, strong sensitivities can result in headaches.

If you’re experiencing any tooth pain coupled with headaches, it’s important to know that there are treatment options available. Depending on your exact oral issue, solutions are usually inexpensive.

Options for addressing the pain

People experiencing bad toothaches might lean on OTC painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for relief; however, these only mask the pain.  OTC painkillers might relieve your pain temporarily, but excessive use isn’t good for your body and won’t resolve what’s causing the pain, in other words, the source of the pain needs to be addressed.

Instead, consider a simple dental procedure.  If you only have a cavity, for example, your dentist can fill it and have you on your way pain-free later that day!  For more complex situations like TMJ or TMD, there are surgery options.

If you grind your teeth your dentist may recommend a custom-fitted mouthguard that can prevent headaches.  These mouthguards are typically made of plastic and often worn at night. They’ll help reduce pressure on your jaw and will cushion your teeth.  Botulinum (Botox) can also be used to decrease your clenching and grinding.  You might also consider meditation or other stress-reducing techniques to help reduce the stress that may be causing clenching or grinding.

Visit a dentist for consistent pain

If you’re in constant pain due to tooth pain and the headaches that follow, speak with a dental professional right away. An oral health issue might be causing these symptoms and should be addressed as quickly as possible. Issues like teeth grinding, cavities, inflammation and overcrowding are all addressable, and could leave you headache free and feeling great!