Can A Dentist Help With Migraine Relief?
Do you often struggle with migraines and seek the best migraine relief treatment in Banbury? While you might consider various pills, injections, or therapies, have you ever thought about asking your dentist for migraine help? Not all migraines come from diet, lifestyle, or eye issues. Some are caused by dental problems, and our friendly, award-winning dentists are here to help treat them.
Read on to find out the causes and symptoms of migraines, and how your Banbury migraine dentists can help prevent migraine headaches.
What Is A Migraine & How Is It Different From Dental Migraines?
Migraines and dental migraines both cause intense headaches, but their origins and associated symptoms differ.
Migraine
- A brain and nervous system disorder that almost always includes intense headaches, causing a pulsing sensation or severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of your head.
- These headaches can last from 4 to 72 hours and often come with other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
- The pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities, making it hard to get through the day.
Dental Migraines
- Headaches are triggered by issues with the jaw, teeth, or bite alignment.
- Unlike general neurological migraines, they originate from the mouth and jaw area.
- Cause intense pain that radiates to the teeth, mouth, neck, and jaw
Can A Tooth Infection Cause Migraines?
Migraines can be caused by various factors, and one potential cause might be in your mouth or jaw. If you’re experiencing any of the following signs, there’s a chance they could be contributing to your headaches or migraines:
- Throbbing tooth pain
- Swelling around a tooth or gum
- Irritation of the trigeminal nerve
- Painful jaw muscles upon waking
- Discomfort while chewing gum
- Grinding or clicking sound in your jaw
- Feeling that your bite isn’t correct or is changing
While temporary migraine relief might be your immediate concern, it’s important to schedule an appointment with our dental team to address the root cause and prevent the problem from worsening.
Dental Issues Contributing To Migraines
Dental migraines impact individuals physically, emotionally, and socially. But what many don’t realise is that dental issues, such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), misaligned bites, and teeth grinding (bruxism), can contribute significantly to the frequency and intensity of these debilitating headaches.
TMJ Disorder (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)
Do you experience jaw pain or discomfort? It might be Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD). This condition occurs when the TMJ joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull, becomes inflamed, painful, and sensitive, making it difficult to use that side of your mouth.
If you have been grinding your teeth or have suffered from excessive strain or trauma to your neck, your TMJ can become inflamed, causing jaw joint problems (TMD) within the TMJ, leading to extreme migraines and possible tooth damage.
Malocclusion
A malocclusion, commonly known as a “bad bite,” occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not align correctly. This misalignment can lead to increased muscle tension, which triggers migraine headaches. Our orthodontics team at 41 South Bar can conduct bite assessments and migraine treatments to rectify malocclusions, potentially offering migraine relief to the sufferers.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Bruxism, otherwise known as teeth grinding, occurs when patients involuntarily clench, grind, and gnash their upper and lower teeth together, often at night. This can be caused by increased stress and anxiety. The pressure and action of grinding your teeth can cause jaw pain and intense migraines. Prolonged bruxism strains the jaw muscles, leading to headaches and potentially contributing to TMJ disorders.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Migraine Attack?
A migraine attack can happen at any time and may be characterised by the following symptoms:
- Pain: Usually on one side of your head, but can be in several places, the pain could throb or pulse.
- Light sensitivity: You may not be able to focus on computer screens, natural or fluorescent lighting.
- Sound sensitivity: Small noises may come across as louder or painful.
- Nausea & vomiting: Built-up pressure in your head from your migraine can lead to nausea and even vomiting.
- Dizziness: Migraine can cause you to feel light-headed and dizzy when sitting, standing, or lying down.
- Lack of appetite: Due to other migraine symptoms, you may not want to eat whilst suffering from a migraine.
- Gastrointestinal distress: You may find that you have a sensitive or upset stomach when suffering from a migraine.
- Headache lasting up to 72 hours
If you’ve experienced one or more of these symptoms, your migraine headaches may be attributed to TMJ migraines and/or dental issues.
How Can Your Banbury Dentist Help Prevent Migraines?
At 41 South Bar, we’re here to help you find relief from your migraines. Our friendly team of dental experts in Banbury will take the time to chat with you, identify the source of your migraines, and provide effective solutions through proper oral health checks. Here’s how we can help:
- Dental treatments: Address underlying issues like toothache or infections
- Mouth Guards: Custom-made to prevent teeth grinding (bruxism) that can lead to migraines.
- TMJ therapy: Treatments for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) to reduce jaw pain and associated headaches
- Orthodontics: Correct misaligned bites (malocclusion) to alleviate muscle tension and headaches
Our Top Tips To Prevent Dental-Related Migraines
Preventive care is key to maintaining good dental health and preventing headaches. At 41 South Bar, our dentists in Banbury are dedicated to making smiles brighter and reducing the risk of dental-related migraines. Here are our top tips to help you maintain good oral hygiene and overall health including;
- Maintain proper oral hygiene practices – By brushing regularly, flossing daily, and cleaning your tongue, you can keep dental issues at bay, which helps prevent dental migraines
- Adopt healthy lifestyle habits – Choosing a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting sugary snacks and drinks, along with avoiding tobacco use, can improve your oral health and reduce the risk of migraines
- Manage stress effectively – Practising stress-relief techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises, along with ensuring you get enough restful sleep each night, can help reduce teeth grinding (bruxism) and the associated headaches
- Schedule regular dental check-ups – Scheduling regular oral health checks and professional cleaning helps catch and address any dental issues early on, maintaining your oral health and preventing conditions that could lead to migraines.
Remember, your oral health affects overall health, so making informed choices is essential for your well-being.
Book A Visit With 41 South Bar Today!
At 41 South Bar, your affordable private dentist in Banbury, we meet all your dental needs, from general dentistry to specialised treatments for dental migraines. Not all dental migraines are the same, some may require additional appointments. This is why our migraine relief treatment is designed to help reduce the number of migraines you suffer from, improving your overall quality of life.
Contact our helpful and professional team today on 01295 262008 or book online today.