A number of adults deal with chronic headaches or migraines — around 4 million, according to the Migraine Research Foundation. Too many of those sufferers are never able to identify the source of the discomfort. If you regularly experience head pain and also clench your jaw or grind your teeth – during the day or at night, your dentist wants you to know that those habits may be what is causing the issue. Fortunately, a solution is available when you seek professional help. Keep reading to find out how you can overcome your teeth grinding-related headaches at long last.
How Do Teeth Grinding/Jaw Clenching Develop?
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are mostly unconscious habits that can occur during the day but are very common at night during sleep. There are a number of factors that can bring these destructive actions about, including daily stress or anxiety, a misaligned bite, facial trauma, and more. The condition may begin as slight tension during the day and later develop into grinding/clenching that is so severe at night it eventually wears away at the teeth.
Side Effects
Having so much extra pressure placed on the teeth repeatedly over time can lead to a number of damaging side effects, including the following:
- Headaches
- Weak or worn teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Gum recession
- Jaw pain (a clicking, popping, sore jaw)
- Difficulty opening the jaw
- Ear or neck pain
- Tooth loss
- And more
How Your Dentist Can Help
If you are dealing with painful side effects of teeth grinding or jaw clenching — like tension headaches — do not hesitate to turn to your dentist for treatment. As the expert in all things related to your teeth and the surrounding oral environment, a dentist is well-equipped to help you with teeth grinding and jaw clenching habits.
TMJ therapy targets the small joints that connect the jaw to the skull. A night guard can help to alleviate pressure caused by teeth grinding and jaw clenching, reducing tension headaches and also protecting your smile from the wear and tear caused by these destructive habits. Some types can even reduce the maximum force you can place on your teeth.
A night guard is a customized, comfortable device that you wear while you sleep. It looks like a clear athletic mouth guard and works by spreading out the forces on the surface of the teeth, keeping them safe from the excessive pressure of teeth grinding and jaw clenching. It is a small investment that can be worth so much — especially if you have been suffering from headaches related to these habits.
Meet the Practice
Cowlitz River Dental, led by Dr. L. Blaine Kennington, is a trusted source of comprehensive dental care for patients in and around Castle Rock, WA. If you are dealing with jaw or head pain related to TMJ/TMD, do not hesitate to get in touch with the team at Cowlitz River Dental. Go ahead and contact the office today at (360) 274-9100.