- posted: Aug. 15, 2016
Migraine pain can be unrelenting. The pain and can last hours or even days. Although medications can help relieve some of the symptoms of migraines, many medications have unpleasant side effects. Dr. Richard Lee-Shanok, your Newmarket, ON, dentist at Newmarket Dentistry, is here to explain how your dentist can help you prevent migraines naturally.
What dental issues can contribute to migraine pain?
It may seem strange to consult a dentist about your migraine pain, but these healthcare professionals have the expertise and skill needed to treat some of the issues that can trigger your migraines, including:
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ): This disorder affects the temporomandibular joints on either side of your jaw. These hinge joints are the ones you use when chew and speak. If you have TMJ, you may experience pain in your jaw, clicking or popping sounds when you move your jaw, facial swelling, headaches and pain in your shoulders and neck. Although the cause of TMJ is often unknown, it can occur if your have a bite problem or injured your jaw.
Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth: Grinding or clenching while you sleep is a common problem. The habit can erode the enamel of your teeth and may even crack them. After you spend the night grinding or clenching, it's not unusual to wake up with a stiff neck and sore neck and jaw muscles.
Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. When you fall asleep, your entire body relaxes, including the muscles in your throat. When the muscles relax, your airway narrows, which prevents air from flowing freely to your lungs. Your tongue may also fall backward into your throat, making the problem even worse. Sleep apnea can cause a variety of health problems, including migraines.
How can my dentist help?
Your Newmarket, ON dentist can offer treatments that will help reduce the number of headaches you get. If a bite problem is the cause of TMJ, your dentist will fit you with braces to correct the problem or give you a custom-made splint or nightguard to relieve the pressure on your jaw. Wearing a nightguard will also reduce clenching or grinding that leads to migraines. Your dentist also offer special oral appliances that relieve sleep apnea symptoms by moving the jaw forward, which opens up the airways.
Dr. Richard Lee-Shanok, your Newmarket, ON, dentist, offers effective treatments that can help relieve your migraine pain. Call him at (905) 830-1010 to schedule an appointment. Prevent migraines with dental treatment!
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