Headaches, Migraines & Ear Problems

Do you or someone you know suffer from chronic headaches or Migraines?

You may not be aware of it, but approximately 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches while 28 million suffer from migraines. For the chronic headache sufferer, headaches can mean more than sheer physical torture –they can disrupt work, destroy family plans, and even relationships with family and friends, not to mention incapacitate the sufferer. At least half of the people with headache pain experience headaches severe enough to be disabling. In fact, regular victims of chronic headaches make over 8 million visits to their doctor's office every year; migraine sufferers alone lose over 157 million workdays due to headache pain.

So what is it that hurts when you have a headache or a migraine? The areas most sensitive to pain are the muscles of the head and blood vessels along the surface and base of the brain. Specific nerves in the face, mouth and throat can also cause headache pain. These muscles and vessels contain very delicate nerve fibers, which can be irritated by changes in the muscles and blood flow to and around the brain.

Headache Pain

Most headache and migraine sufferers have seen a variety of different doctors, with little if any relief. While their symptoms are being treated, the cause of the problem still persists. And the headaches and migraines still occur. There are many migraine triggers: foods, physical exertion, hormonal imbalances, psychological distress, environmental factors and drugs, but the most overlooked is the dental trigger.

Ever thought about seeing your dentist for a migraine? A specially trained dentist who focuses on the muscles of the jaw and neck and how they are related to the teeth and bite may be able to cure your pain. Many of the same symptoms of headaches and migraines occur with TMJ or (temporomandibular joint syndrome), also known as TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction).

TMJ problems manifest themselves in a variety of ways. One of the most common symptoms of TMJ is headaches. TMJ related headaches are caused by a complex mechanism. Essentially, there is a constant contraction (unfelt by the person) of the muscles in the jaw from an improper bite and/or clenching of the teeth. This creates a tension or pressure in the face, head and neck. The constant tension in the muscles reduces the amount of blood that is able to reach the area. The body responds by sending more blood to the area, which results in an increase in blood pressure to the muscles of the head, thus a headache, even a migraine. When someone is clenching and /or grinding their teeth, which are TMJ symptoms, they are creating a constant contraction of the muscles, which results in pain. By gently guiding the temporomandibular joint into better alignment (by correcting the bite) and allowing the jaw to be in its optimal position, a specially trained dentist can alleviate most headache problems related to TMJ, muscle, nerve and joint disorders.