The human body is a universal, connected system. Therefore, if there are disorders in the dentofacial area, headaches may occur, the periodontist dentist-therapist at SM-Dentistry told socialbites.ca. Elena Martynova.
“There are many cases in our practice where patients have been treated by a neurologist for headaches for decades, and the problem disappeared only after being treated in the dentist’s chair,” the doctor said.
He explained that severe headaches and migraines with no obvious cause are caused by irritation of nerve endings or damage to the trigeminal nerve. This is the most complex of all the cranial nerves and is responsible for sensation, innervation of the teeth, and movement of facial muscles.
“Tooth rotation, crowding, lack of antagonist (opposite tooth) – these are all factors that lead to improper distribution of pressure between the teeth, muscle spasm. There is a change in the position of the lower jaw within the joint. Visually, this is accompanied by the appearance of chips and cracks on the teeth, wedge-shaped enamel defects near the gums,” said Martynova.
According to him, periodic severe headaches that occur in the morning and after meals may be a result of disorders in the temporomandibular joint. Therefore, malocclusion is not just an aesthetic problem.
“In addition, this pathology can be indicated by symptoms such as grinding, clicking and pain of the teeth when opening the mouth. However, most patients often do not even pay attention to this. In this case, headache is the most compelling argument for wearing braces in adulthood,” added the dentist.
In addition, as the expert said, the cause of the headache may be the improper growth of wisdom teeth that appear after the jaws are formed. And since at this stage of evolution they are still in their infancy, they no longer have enough space.
“The incorrect location of the eighth teeth can lead to headaches due to significant pressure on the teeth and displacement of the front teeth, destruction of the seventh teeth and inflammation of the gums during partial teething,” explained Martynova.
The cause of headaches can also be multiple caries, pulpitis and periodontitis, which lead to chronic inflammation of the tissues around the tooth root and gums. Additionally, when the infection spreads, chronic forms of otitis, tonsillitis and sinusitis may develop. The dentist added that headaches in these diseases can be acute or painful.
Another common cause of headaches is chronic periodontitis, he says. Long-term chronic inflammation leads to the destruction of bone tissue, loss of teeth and intoxication of the body.
“A visit to the dentist will help you find out whether the headache in your case is associated with diseases of the dental system, and an examination by the dentist every 6 months will prevent serious problems in the oral cavity and the body as a whole.” The doctor concluded:
Previously a dentist saidWhy can’t you trust eco-friendly toothpaste sellers?