If you developed a chronic ache or recurring pain in any other part of your body, it would probably alarm you enough to visit your doctor or dentist about. Yet, when many people experience a headache, its specific cause doesn’t always seem to matter much. Given the severity of the headache, the only thing that matters in the moment may be finding relief, and when it’s over, it can seem like whatever caused it has subsided, as well. Today, we examine when chronic headaches may be related to an oral health problem, and why your dentist could offer you the best option for finding lasting relief from them.
Take stock of other symptoms, too
When a headache develops and keeps coming back, it’s safe to assume that there’s a reason why. In many cases, this means that your headaches may not be the only symptom warning you of it. For example, you might also experience a wide range of potential symptoms, such as problems with your bite function, changes to your teeth or oral tissues, excessive tiredness, other aches and pains, and more. Taking stock of all of your symptoms will help you determine what may be the likely cause of your headaches, and what the most appropriate solution may be for treating it.
If they’re a symptom of a bite dysfunction
Problems with your bite function can come in a variety of forms, from an overactive bite (i.e., chronic teeth-grinding) to discrepancies in your bite’s balance and pressure, and more. If you grind your teeth a lot, notice that your teeth are sensitive, feel pain or sensitivity in your jaw joints, or have trouble biting and chewing comfortably, then the headaches that accompany these symptoms may also be part of the same problem. The first step to alleviating them will be to precisely diagnose your bite dysfunction, then correct it with an appropriate treatment. For many patients, this can be achieved with a comfortable, custom-designed NTI appliance designed specifically to optimize your bite alignment and function.
If it’s an issue with your sleep quality
Like headaches, many people don’t associate sleep problems with oral health problems. However, for patients who experience chronic snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the condition could lead to a series of consequences and symptoms, including the recurrence of headaches and migraines in the morning. Sleep apnea involves the cessation of your breathing while you sleep, which limits your oxygen intake throughout the night and constantly interrupts your sleep pattern. Treating sleep apnea with a custom-designed sleep appliance can address the twin problems of oxygen and sleep deprivation, eliminating the cause of your morning headaches and other sleep apnea symptoms.
Learn if your headaches are related to your oral health
Chronic headaches can be confusing when you don’t know the cause. If you experience these symptoms, as well, then they may be the result of an underlying oral health problem. To learn more, contact our office by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY, today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
