When you think of your oral health, do you ever think about the connection with your overall health? Well, you should. There is actually a direct connection between your oral health and headaches. Here is a closer look at how toothaches and other oral health issues can cause headaches.
Toothaches and headaches
One of the main causes of a migraine is a toothache. Ouch! That is often because almost all headaches and toothaches are detected by one of the largest nerves in the head: The trigeminal nerve. This nerve actually provides sensation to most of your face, including your teeth and gums. When your tooth aches, the trigeminal nerve can get irritated and trigger a migraine headache.
Teeth grinding and headaches
Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, may not necessarily cause a headache, but it can refer the pain to your head. When referred pain occurs, you feel a painful sensation in a different part of your body from where the pain actually exists. In fact, the sensation travels through nerve connections.
TMD and headaches
If you suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (TMD), it can contribute to headaches as well. TMD can cause pain in the joint and muscles, but it can also cause toothaches and headaches. If you are experiencing headaches, they are often triggered by an action like chewing or opening and closing the mouth.
If you are experiencing frequent headaches, it is important to contact us at AZ Sleep and TMJ Solutions for more information.