Nearly one out of eight Americans suffer from recurring headaches or migraines. To educate the public on the reality of these painful and sometimes debilitating disorders, the American Headache & Migraine Association (AHMA) observes Migraine & Headache Awareness Month every June. While this cause may seem unrelated to dentistry, the team at my Alexandria dental office want to share just how connected the two can be.
Migraine vs. Headache
Before we dive into how dental health can contribute to migraines, it’s important to differentiate headaches and migraines. Although similar, headaches and migraines tend to have different symptoms, some of which can affect everyday life for the duration of the episode. Let’s examine the two.
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The Migraine-Dentistry Connection
Research supports the theory that a bad bite (malocclusion) can contribute to recurring migraines. When teeth don’t align from top to bottom, your ideal bite is thrown off, causing issues to your TMJ (jaw joint). Anatomically, your head is attached to your jaw, and the two share muscles. When the muscles in your jaw become strained due to a bad bite, it can affect your head, thus leading to a migraine. Your dentist in Alexandria may be able to help diagnose and treat this misalignment, giving you relief from migraines.
Don’t continue to live your life managing your migraines without exploring a possible solution to rid yourself of the pain. If you’re ready to see if your migraines could be caused by a bad bite, call my dental office in Alexandria to schedule an appointment today. We’ll look at your bite, teeth wear, and other factors to recommend the best treatment for you. Don’t keep suffering, call us today.
Accepting patients from Alexandria, Old Town, Del Ray, and Potomac Yard.
