HEADACHES?

Headaches are generally classified into several basic types: Sinus, Cluster, Tension and Migraine. The type of headache you have can be determined by discussing it with your physician or dentist. While headaches are typically treated by your physician, improper occlusion (your bite) may play a significant role in certain types of headaches as well as other head and neck pain.

One type of headache, tension headache is by far the most common- estimated by some to be the cause of much as 90% of all headaches. Furthermore, they are headaches that are most typically associated with the pain of the muscles of your forehead.

If you occasionally experience this type of headache, they are typically controlled by over the counter pain medications. However, if they continually persist with some regularity and over a long period of time, it is recommended to discuss them with your dentist.

Headaches and your Bite

The muscles of the temple area of the forehead are muscles that play an important role in the posturing as well as the closing of the jaw. If your occlusion (bite) is not ideal, it may lead to abnormal tension in these muscles. When the bite is not corrected, the muscles may remain tense for long periods of time. The muscles that are contracted are not given a chance to rest and suffers from poor circulation. The lack of required oxygen and the accumulation of waste products of metabolism results in the pain felt in your muscles (headache).

 A headache is just one symptom that may be attributed to poor occlusion (bite). Other symptoms such as pain or noise in the jaw joint, facial pain, neck pain, ringing in the ears, tingling in the fingertips, and difficulty chewing may also be related to your bite and should be discussed with your dentist.