Can Dental Issues Cause Headaches?
Do you find yourself getting frequent headaches? Headaches can be associated with certain dental issues. For example:
Dental Injuries
Any dental injury that damages a tooth can potentially cause chronic headaches. For example, if your tooth is broken and the nerve is exposed, it can irritate the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). This nerve is connected to special sensors throughout your face, including your teeth. Abnormal activation of this nerve is associated with migraines and headaches. Other common dental injuries that can lead to headaches are cracked teeth, broken tooth restorations, and chipped teeth.
Tooth Infections
If a tooth becomes infected, the infection can cause a buildup of pus, bacteria, and debris that results in severe nerve pain and discomfort. Infected teeth can result in headaches, nausea, and vomiting. The infection can also spread to other teeth, jaw, and your bloodstream, increasing your risk of tooth loss and sepsis.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
The temporomandibular joints are the joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull and give the jaw its mobility. TMJ dysfunction, or TMD, is when these joints are damaged or malfunctioning. This is sometimes associated with chronic teeth grinding and clenching. These conditions are linked to headaches from the tension and stiffness in the jaw.
Schedule Your Dental Consultation!
Are you suffering from regular headaches? Headaches can be extremely uncomfortable to manage and can also negatively impact your memory, mood, relationships, productivity, ability to concentrate, and enjoyment of daily activities. The sooner you identify the source of your headaches, the sooner you can get the relief you deserve.
At Serenity Dental Studio in Frisco, our experienced team is committed to helping patients achieve superb oral health, which will thus contribute to a healthier body. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!