Headache, cervicalgia, fatigue of the head and neck muscles that resist treatment and whose cause escapes. In these cases, a visit to the dentist could be decisive.
Headaches and neck pain are very frequent disorders. Among headaches, the best known forms are the so-called primary ones, for example migraine, tension headache and cluster headache. Primary headaches are among the main disorders of the nervous system and have the peculiarity of causing symptoms with specific characteristics, for example a pulsating pain in the case of migraine (which if preceded by the so-called aura, can be associated with visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, etc.) or similar to a circle to the head, which also worsens with an imperceptible movement, in the case of tension-type headache, which can be associated with incorrect posture, excessive physical and mental fatigue, insomnia, depression and stress.
When you suffer from headaches the pain can be constant for hours, many times disabling and that does not allow you to carry out daily activities. Primary headaches can also be triggered by intense physical activity, worsen due to cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, or, as in the case of migraines, be related to the menstrual cycle.
For the so-called secondary forms, however, it is often difficult to identify the cause (primary). Usually, unlike primary headaches, they appear in those who do not usually suffer from headaches and are the signal of some disorders that apparently have little bearing on headaches. It is therefore necessary to provide the doctor with useful information to facilitate the diagnosis. Causes of secondary headache include, for example, infections, trauma, high blood pressure levels and even problems with teeth and gums.
A visit to the dentist, therefore, as well as an essential rule for the health of the oral cavity, could have unexpected implications also with regard to that annoying pain in the head that we can not send away. This is especially true if the pain appears after eating, or after talking without interruption for a prolonged period of time, or in the morning upon waking, and if the headache is accompanied by muscle tension in the neck, jaw or other regions of the face.
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More stimuli coming from the mouth
The most frequent oral cause of headache is represented by malocclusions, or misaligned teeth that cause incorrect chewing. In practice, when closing the mouth the upper and lower teeth do not coincide perfectly.
This induces an incorrect distribution of forces during the act of chewing, with an overload of some muscles and joints involved.
The most common source of malocclusion is a defect in the proportion between the mandibular or maxillary bone and the teeth, or between the maxilla and the jaw.
Another reason may be the loss of one or more teeth, even as a result of trauma, because gradually the empty space is occupied by the teeth next to it, which tend to move, altering the normal structure of the dentition.
Sometimes, head and neck pain is also attributable to damaged or incorrectly performed fillings, or to unsuitable dentures, which can be responsible for chewing problems. Due to the tendency of the gums to retreat, in fact, the prosthesis may no longer adhere perfectly, causing incorrect chewing and consequently the development of a headache.
Finally, bruxism (teeth grinding) and clenching of teeth are other possible causes of head and neck pain. In the first case it is a disorder often underestimated, because it is considered a “vice”. But this is not the case. At the base in most cases of bruxism there is a strong state of stress: the tensions accumulated during the day are practically discharged during the night grinding the teeth. In other cases, however, it is linked to an exaggerated use of the computer especially during the late afternoon and evening hours. Finally, it can be the signal of a lack, or an excess, of contact between the two arches. Whatever the reason, bruxism, if neglected, causes increased tooth sensitivity and wear, jaw tension and pain, head and ear pain, and states of muscle contracture in the neck and shoulders.
When to consult the dentist
Whenever a headache or neck pain occurs with particular frequency without any identifiable trigger, referral to the dentist is at least appropriate.
As it is in case there are also ear symptoms, such as ringing and whistling, feeling of muffling in the ear, pain.
In addition, there are some signs indicative of the dental origin of pain, affecting the head or in particular the mouth. Let’s see which ones.
Head | Mouth |
---|---|
Headache that appears at night | Waking up with your mouth tightly clenched |
Waking up with a heavy head and the feeling of not having rested | Noises or clicks when opening your mouth |
Headache that begins with pain in the temples or behind the eyes | Upper and lower arches that, slowly closing the mouth, they initially touch in one place and then slide sideways |
Pain or stiffness upon waking in the area of the temples and cheeks | Feeling of soreness in the jaws, teeth and gums |
How to run for cover
While waiting for the dentist’s appointment, in case of severe headache you can relieve the symptoms by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (the so-called NSAIDs), at most for a couple of days. Especially in case of pregnancy, but always under medical supervision, to help soothe the state of inflammation and congestion in the gums, instead of drugs it may be useful to rinse several times a day with freshly prepared herbal teas and left to cool, based on flowers and mallow leaves.
Warm compresses on the shoulders and neck are also indicated to relieve muscle tension.
It is also the rule to pay particular attention to oral hygiene to avoid factors that can increase the disorders. Teeth should be thoroughly brushed after each meal, but gently so as not to irritate the gums. A solution can be the electric toothbrush which, if used correctly, more easily eliminates even the slightest residue of food. In addition, it performs a real massage to the gums improving circulation in the local blood vessels.
Malocclusion must be resolved because it causes the discharge of an unexpected force on a part of the teeth. This situation in the long run can lead to the fracture of part of the crown and in some cases can increase the risk of periodontal disease and caries, because it can be difficult to carry out proper oral hygiene.
If the problem lies in an incorrect occlusion of the teeth, and in addition there is also grinding, in many cases it may be decisive to wear a particular device (bite) at night. It is a protective mask to be used during the hours of sleep, to the advantage of a more regenerating rest. It is prepared to measure, it is made of a soft material and in the morning it should be rinsed under cold running water and placed in the appropriate container. When wearing, you should not eat or drink.
Sometimes, however, it is also necessary to modify the chewing. In this case the correction can be made depending on the severity of the problem, with an orthodontic appliance, or by correcting the problem at the base, such as replacing the crown or adapting the prosthesis to the dental arch.
In particular, if it is believed that the cause of this type of headache is to be found in the dental prosthesis, it will be possible to perform a cast of the dental arches during the dental specialist visit to proceed to make a new prosthesis.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.