If you get headaches, you know how important it is to find treatments that work. If the headache pain is chronic or you suffer from migraines, finding relief can be a lot more challenging.  Pinpointing the causes can be difficult, but your dentist may be able to help.

Dr. Charles Payet, a specialist in oral health and cosmetic dentistry, explained, “If you regularly experience headaches—migraines, sinus, chronic tension headaches—it’s possible that your dentist could actually help both diagnose and treat them. One of the most common but misdiagnosed sources of headache pain comes from muscle activity related to grinding or clenching your teeth.”

While both grinding and clenching the teeth can be a source of chronic pain, the symptoms associated with each differ. Grinding often causes terrible damage to the teeth but the resulting headache and neck pain can actually be less severe than it is for people who only clench their teeth. That’s because the jaws do move a little when they grind their teeth, thus providing some release for their muscles.  According to Dr. Payet, “pure clenchers” typically have little tooth damage but they often suffer more severe head and neck pain.

Chronic headache sufferers often have been to a number of doctors who have put them through a battery of tests, then told them that there is nothing wrong. In fact, Dr. Payet noted, “It’s not uncommon at all that I’ll see a patient who’s had CAT scans, MRIs, allergy testing, and they’ve had their eyes checked; they’ve been through everything and every doctor and neurologist—they all say ‘you’re normal, there’s nothing wrong with you.’"

Your dentist can employ a number of simple evaluations to help determine whether your headache pain is due to grinding or clenching. In addition to examining the teeth for signs of abnormal wear, the dentist tests the neck and jaw muscles. Dr. Payet explained, “We evaluate a number of different muscle groups and if we massage or test your jaw muscles in different places and if they respond with pain, that means you’re overworking them.”

If the cause of your headaches is determined to be either clenching or grinding your teeth, there is a very easy, painless treatment that works in the majority of cases. The NTI night guard is a small device, approved by the FDA, which fits between your front teeth, thus preventing you from fully clenching your teeth. “So essentially you’re forcing the muscles to relax. When the muscles relax—just like any other muscles that have been overworked—when they relax, the pain goes away,” said Dr. Payet.

If you suffer from chronic headaches and have had difficulty getting a diagnosis, there is some hope. Talk with your dentist about your symptoms and make a point of sharing any information you might already have about previous testing by your doctor.

Written by:
Lance Phillips
Freelance Writer

From an interview with:
Charles D. Payet, DDS
Charlotte, NC
www.smilesbypayet.com