Can Dental Issues Cause Migraines?

A migraine is a severe headache often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances. Migraines can be debilitating and significantly impact a person’s quality of life. While the exact cause of migraines is not fully understood, various factors can trigger or contribute to their development.

One factor is the migraine/tooth pain connection. Studies show there is a strong link between dental issues, such as wisdom teeth problems, teeth grinding (bruxism), and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and the occurrence of migraines. If you’re experiencing any of these oral health issues, they can contribute to—or even cause—migraines. It’s critical to speak with your dentist to determine if any oral health issues are playing a role. Read further to understand the causes and how dental treatment may help.

Understanding the Migraine/Tooth Pain Connection

What causes migraine headaches? Common triggers include:

• Emotional stress.
• Hormonal changes (estrogen).
• Medications.
• Sleep changes.
• Changing weather.
• Too much physical activity (overexertion).

• Diet:
  • Too much caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol.
  • Skipping meals.

• Sensory stimulation, such as exposure to bright lights, loud noises, or strong odors.

Several oral health conditions could be causing or contributing to migraine pain. The most common include:

1. Wisdom teeth. Also known as third molars, wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to emerge in the mouth, usually between the ages of 17 and 26. In many cases, they can become impacted or infected, leading to jaw, head, and neck pain. This pain can trigger or exacerbate migraine headaches in some individuals. In severe cases, impacted wisdom teeth may even cause sinus pressure and congestion, which can also contribute to migraines. This can put extra strain on your teeth and jaws, leading to dental damage, jaw pain, and headaches.
2. Grinding teeth. Stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders can cause bruxism, the often subconscious grinding or clenching of teeth while awake or asleep. This can put extra strain on your teeth and jaws, leading to dental damage, jaw pain, and headaches. (It can also lead to TMJ issues, discussed next.)
3. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. Can TMJ cause migraines? Yes. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull. TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the muscles, ligaments, and joints in the jaw, causing pain, stiffness, and difficulty with jaw movement. Causes of TMJ issues can vary, including genetics, arthritis, injury to the jaw, or clenching/grinding of teeth. TMJ disorder can lead to jaw pain, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint, and headaches—including migraines. If left untreated, TMJ issues can worsen and impact overall oral health.
4. Oral infections. In addition to wisdom teeth, teeth grinding, and TMJ issues, other dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and oral infections can also potentially trigger migraines. An infection or inflammation in the mouth can cause pain that radiates to the head and neck, leading to migraine symptoms.

How Can Your Dentist Help With Your Migraine?

Your dentist can play a crucial role in identifying and addressing any oral health issues that may be contributing to your migraine pain. By conducting a thorough examination, including X-rays and possibly other diagnostic tests, your dentist can pinpoint any dental problems that may be causing or exacerbating your migraines.

Once the underlying dental issues are identified, your dentist can develop a personalized treatment plan to address them. This may include procedures such as:

• Removing impacted wisdom teeth.
• Fitting you with a mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding.
• Providing treatments for TMJ disorder.
• Treating oral infections.

In addition to addressing dental issues, your dentist may also recommend lifestyle changes and preventive measures to help manage your migraines. This could include stress management techniques, dietary changes, improving sleep habits, and avoiding triggers such as caffeine and tobacco.

If you are experiencing migraine tooth pain, it is important to talk to your dentist in addition to your primary healthcare provider. By addressing any underlying dental issues, you may be able to reduce the frequency and intensity of your migraines.

Experiencing Migraine & Tooth Pain? Visit Penn Dental Family Medicine

If you suffer from migraines, it’s important to prioritize your dental health. Seek treatment for any dental issues that may be contributing to your headaches, such as impacted wisdom teeth, teeth grinding, TMJ issues, or oral infections.

To schedule an appointment at Penn Dental Family Practice, click here or call 215-898-PDFP (7337). Regular visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene habits can help prevent dental problems that may trigger migraines. By taking care of your oral health, you may be able to reduce the frequency and severity of your migraine headaches and get back to living your life without worrying about experiencing a painful migraine.