Chronic regular migraines can be quite uncomfortable. People with this condition tend to experience it around 15 days a month, with each episode lasting several hours. Some of the common symptoms of migraine are facial tingling, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and dizziness. As much as a wide range of factors causes migraines, dental problems are more dominant. Several dental problems often cause migraines, a condition that can worsen if left untreated. Some of the oral problems associated with migraines include clenching and grinding of teeth, a bad bite, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Clenching and Grinding of Teeth
Grinding of teeth can cause gum and muscle inflammation that triggers headaches and migraines. Teeth grinding often happens at night when one is sleeping, meaning that you won't know when it is happening. However, you can tell from the symptoms associated with teeth clenching. Some of them include sore jaws, a dull constant headache that is felt behind the eyes, a clicking sound when you open the mouth, trouble opening and closing the mouth, tender teeth, and tongue indentations.
Grinding of teeth can also have other effects apart from causing migraines. For example, continued grinding will wear down the tooth enamel and expose the dentin beneath it, leading to tooth sensitivity.
Bad Bite
A bad bite can also cause migraines. A sore, missing, loose, or misaligned teeth will force a bad bite, causing your jaw muscles to strain in bringing your teeth together. This leads to a more persistent muscle inflammation that triggers headaches and migraines.
Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
When you have periodontitis, part of the pain can be felt in your head, making you think you have a headache. The throbbing toothache caused by tooth decay will also trigger a migraine, which can be quite uncomfortable. Contact our offices for more information on the causes of migraines.