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1394 South Route 12 Fox Lake, IL 60020

Frequent Headaches Fox Lake, IL

Many people don’t make the connection between headaches and dental problems. But the jaw, teeth, and joints are all connected. When you clench your teeth, your neck muscles inadvertently contract. Most who suffer from headaches associated with dental problems grind or clench their teeth at night, which causes headaches to occur in the morning.

Many things can cause headaches, but one reason that many people don’t realize is that the source could be a dental problem. If you are experiencing pain centered in the nerves and muscles running through the face and neck, your frequent headaches are caused by dental problems.

TMJ related headaches are typically accompanied by other symptoms which may include:

  • Teeth grinding or clenching (you may notice your teeth are worn or chipped)
  • Sore jaw or jaw pain
  • Neck or shoulder pain
  • Limited mobility in the jaw, locking jaw
  • Popping noise in the jaw joint
  • Pressure in the ear or earaches

TMJ headaches treatment in Fox Lake, Illinois

Clenching your teeth or your jaws can shoot regular pain up to your head. Other symptoms that may occur are worn or chipped teeth from grinding them, pain or soreness in your jaw or your neck, locking or popping in your jaw, jaw immobility, ear pressure, or earaches.

It is also possible to have a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder causing your headaches. Teeth not fitting together properly cause TMJ. Expert dentists at Infinity offer various treatments. for TMJ headaches, you may be fitted with a splint or a night guard to be worn at night to keep your teeth from grinding and thus reduce pressure.

Dr. Prendergast also performs bite correction procedures like Invisalign. If you are experiencing headaches, schedule a consultation and we will determine the best procedure for you.

Treatment for TMJ Headaches

An underlying cause of constant headaches is often a temporomandibular disorder, commonly referred to as TMJ. As the result of dysfunction in the bite and muscle tension in the jaw, Dr. Prendergast offers a diagnosis and a range of treatments for TMJ.

Some patients experience relief by simply changing their everyday habits, reducing the stress in their life, or avoiding certain foods that aggravate the jaw joints. Others may need restorative dental care to address malocclusion, bite problems, and damage caused by teeth grinding, a common symptom of TMJ.

Splint or Night Guards for TMJ Headaches

Dental splints, mouth guards, and night guards are custom-made devices used to align the jaw and allow teeth to make proper contact without grinding or stress. A night guard reduces pressure which can cause headaches and can help prevent damage to the teeth and gums.

Bite Correction Procedure

In addition to a splint or night guard, some patients benefit from bite correction procedures. If your teeth are crooked or misaligned, the teeth could be coming into contact unevenly and causing pain. Dr. Prendergast may recommend Invisalign or other procedures for straightening teeth or adjusting the biting surfaces.

Frequent Headaches FAQs

Can poor dental hygiene cause headaches?

Dental hygiene has a direct effect on your overall health. If you practice a lacking oral care routine you may feel other areas of your body react. Many patients suffer from headaches due to this. The headaches are typically reported as extreme tension in one’s head. This is caused by strain and pressure in a patient’s jaw muscles.

Can a tooth infection cause severe headaches?

A tooth infection commonly comes along with a headache. If a tooth infection is not caught and treated early it is very likely to cause extreme headaches and neck pain.

What relieves a toothache headache?

If you are suffering from a toothache headache the first thing to do is to rinse with salt water. Holding a cold compress up to the area is a good way to soothe pain and reduce the throbbing feeling. Garlic has also been found to help soothe pain from a toothache headache.

Schedule a Dental Exam & TMJ Evaluation

It is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of headaches. If you are experiencing frequent headaches and have had no relief from doctors or believe your pain is dental related, call Infinity Dental of Fox Lake or schedule a consultation online today.