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Are My Teeth Causing My Headaches?




Q: I have tried to keep my oral health under control all my life. I still have all my teeth but they are almost all filled with fillings that are of various vintages. I have been meaning to address the discolouration and what looks like decay in my front teeth, but life happens and others have needs that exceed my own. In the past year or more, I’ve experienced mild but consistent headaches that from day to day I manage with ibuprofen when the ache gets in my face.


The headaches can jump around. Sometimes on the side of my head, sometimes in the back of my skull, sometimes I wake up with my whole head and neck and shoulders feeling like I’d been in a “strongest man” contest and I’m not a man. I mean, my head and neck muscles are tired and tender. Well, I was wondering if it could have anything to do with my teeth, which to me look like they’re in a poor state of repair. So, with that question, I went to go see the dentist that my sister recommended, and I got a lot of what I’d call prep work. When I went back, there was a thorough review of my teeth and their condition.


It so happened that there were recommendations that I thought might address my problem of headaches, but I didn’t say anything to the dentist. He talked of decay and my bite and my gums, which are receded, so I just thought well, if I do all this, maybe if my teeth have anything to do with it, it would just get fixed as a matter of course. I did want to break up the treatment a bit, so we’ll see how it goes. Should I have said anything about the headaches?

 

A: To answer your last question first, the answer is definitely yes. Not all headaches are of dental origin of course, but headaches of dental origin certainly make up a significant percentage and can be treated.


Yes, tooth position, jaw position, joint and muscle position are all part of head pain associated with a tooth/joint incoordination. In other words, the teeth must work in harmony with the muscles that position the joint at rest and under function and parafunction (grinding and clenching). When the teeth, the muscles, the joints, and its ligaments are working harmoniously, the pain from strain disappears, the high lactic acid levels abate, and relief is quite permanent.

           

Go back and ask those questions and get the answers that will not only fix your teeth but relieve your headaches. As to the sequencing of treatment, be sure to ask about what can be broken up and what can’t.


If we can help, we’d like to. Call 778-410-2080 for a consultation or visit us today.

 

Based on actual patient cases

© Calvin Ross Crapo

Victoria Implant Centre 778-410-2080

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