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The Connection Between Dental Problems and Headaches

Mon, Mar 8th, 2021

The Connection Between Dental Problems and Headaches

Have you ever suffered from a headache that seemed to be connected to a nerve in your tooth or gums? It makes you wonder if the two are associated and if the oral pain is causing the headache. It's possible that a toothache can cause head pain, or it could be other underlying issues such as a sinus infection or TMJ disorder. The only way to discover the root of your headaches is to openly communicate with your doctor and dentist to explain your symptoms.

In this blog, we'll discuss how dental issues, bruxism and TMJ disorder can cause headaches and what to do if you notice simultaneous oral and head pain.

Toothaches Triggering Headaches

There are many possibilities as to why you may have a toothache; cavities, cracked teeth, impacted wisdom teeth, etc. If left untreated, these dental problems can cause migraine headaches. Developing a migraine headache can be very severe and cause symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, or sensitivity to light and sound.

Many nerves are connected from your teeth to other parts of your face and brain. So, tooth decay or advanced periodontitis can send pain to your head, causing headaches.

A very common cause of headaches is bruxism. Bruxism is when people grind their teeth while sleeping. Since people are sleeping while grinding their teeth, they don't realize they are doing it. Therefore, when someone gets headaches, they don't know it's from grinding their teeth. Oftentimes, a person doesn't discover they are grinding their teeth until a visit to the dentist. The headache that results from bruxism is a dull pain that wraps around the head and occurs behind the eyes. You might also experience:

  • Sore teeth and jaw muscles
  • Shaved down or flattened teeth
  • Trouble opening or closing your mouth
  • Clicking sounds in the jaw

TMJ Disorder

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ Disorder) refers to a problem with the jaw joint located in front of the ear, it is known for causing toothaches and pain to the surrounding muscles. TMJ disorder can cause headaches that are usually described as an aching pain starting around the ear and making its way toward the jaw, neck and temple.

TMJ Disorder

Have You Been Experiencing Simultaneous Toothaches and Headaches?

If you have been dealing with the pain and discomfort of simultaneous toothaches and headaches, it's crucial you openly communicate with both your dentist and doctor. This is the best way to figure out if the tooth pain you're feeling is triggering your consistent headaches. It might be as simple as getting a cavity filled by your dentist, or it might be stemming from an issue your doctor would be able to resolve.

If you're experiencing tooth pain or headaches related to tooth pain, please don't hesitate to contact Arnold Dentistry. We will help you get to the root of your problem so you can be comfortable once again.

(813) 689-1529