June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. In response, DentalPlans.com, a leading online marketplace for dental savings plans in the U.S. and part of the Henry Schein One portfolio of solutions, is sharing information on the role oral health plays in headaches and migraines, to help raise awareness and encourage people to take care of their head, smile and overall health.
“Research continues to show that dental health plays an important role in overall health, including having the power to cause or worsen headaches and migraines”
While migraines and headaches are different, both can be triggered by some of the same things, including but not limited to stress, alcohol, overindulgence or withdrawal from caffeine, bright sunlight, dehydration, blood sugar fluctuations, weather changes, and oral health issues.
Here are some of the most common dental issues associated with headaches and/or migraines, that can be treated by your dentist:
Loose, missing, or misaligned teeth – These conditions force jaw muscles to work harder to bring teeth together, swallow, and even keep the mouth closed. This can lead to persistent muscle inflammation that can trigger a migraine or headache.
Tooth grinding and jaw clenching – This can cause muscle and gum inflammation, triggering migraines and headaches. While tooth grinding is often related to stress, a “bad bite” (teeth that aren’t properly aligned) can also result in tooth grinding.
Tooth decay – A throbbing toothache can trigger a migraine or headache.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) – It is unclear whether TMD causes migraines, or whether migraines are what triggers pain in the jaw and teeth of those with TMD issues. Either way, research shows that treating such underlying oral health issues can reduce the frequency and severity of the associated headaches and migraines.
The above can be treated by your dentist, however if you experience frequent, severe, or new head pain, speak to your primary doctor as soon as possible. They can work with you to understand the cause of the pain, and develop a plan to manage your migraines/headaches. If oral health is playing a role in your pain, you may be referred to a dentist who specializes in head pain.
“Research continues to show that dental health plays an important role in overall health, including having the power to cause or worsen headaches and migraines,” said Jenn Stoll, Chief Commercial Officer at DentalPlans.com. “While dentists can certainly treat oral health issues causing headaches/migraines after the fact, preventive care – such as regular dental check-ups – can help uncover those issues earlier and treat them before they start to cause pain in your mouth or head. Preventive care is so important, so be sure you don’t skip those appointments.”
If budget is a concern when it comes to the dentist, consider a dental savings plan. These plans are an affordable alternative to traditional dental insurance that offer plan members 10-60% off most dental procedures, including preventive, restorative and orthodontic treatments that may be used to treat dental issues related to headaches/migraines.
Learn more about dental savings plans here.
You can also visit the American Migraine Foundation for additional resources.
