Headaches
Headaches are quite common, and have many causes. Accurately diagnosing your headache is the first step in correctly treating them. While some headaches aren’t linked to other issues, many are symptoms of underlying
conditions. Simply taking aspirin or ibuprofen whenever you get a headache only masks those underlying issues without treating them. In order to help determine whether your headaches are manifestations of other
conditions, it is important for our dentist to perform an evaluation.
Your bite involves a series of muscles and tendons that help hold your jaw in its proper place. When you have a malocclusion (bad bite), the jaw muscles have to overcompensate for the misalignment, often resulting in
a sore jaw. In some cases, the extra tension that a bad bite can cause leads to a headache. In general, there are four main types of headaches:
1. Migraine: many migraines are a result of genetics or unbalanced hormone levels, and they can be triggered by a variety of things. Some frequently experience migraines due to hunger, stress, or fatigue.
2. Cluster headaches: the cause of these headaches are unknown, but they are often associated with a sudden release of serotonin from alcohol, smoking, heat, bright lights, high altitude, and exertion. Cluster headaches
are often in one general area of the face, such as affecting only the left or right side. They can be pinpointed to the forehead, temple, behind the eye, or all three.
3. Tension headaches: these headaches are the most common, and they often occur when the head or neck are tense. In many cases, this is a result of increased stress, injury, or holding the neck in a certain position
for a long period of time. Tension headaches are often felt behind the eyes and lower forehead, across the front of the face.
4. Other primary headaches
In many cases, patients with TMD experience tension-like headaches, which can make it seem like your headache is just that: a headache. However, if you experience headaches with other TMD symptoms, you may need to do
more than just lower your stress level. Dr. Chetan Parikh can identify the causes of your TMD, including any craniofacial issues, and offer skilled treatment. If you suffer regular headaches, please contact our
office to learn more about your treatment options.