How your dentists in Owings Mills, MD can help if you suffer from headaches
Headaches can dramatically affect your life, keeping you from enjoying daily activities. What many people don’t realize is that headaches can sometimes be caused by frequently clenching or grinding your teeth, especially at night.
The good news is the dentists at Mendelson Family Dentistry in Owings Mills, MD can help you get relief from your headaches.
Your temporomandibular joint, also known as the TMJ, is one of the most important joints in your body because it opens and closes your jaw. Habitual grinding and clenching your jaws can lead to TMJ stress, inflammation, and chronic jaw pain. The jaw pain can radiate into other areas of your face and head, giving you earaches, and headaches, which can be severe.
Your dentist can discover what is causing your headaches and decide what treatment will be most effective for you. If your headaches are caused by grinding and clenching, your dentist will custom fit you with a nightguard. Wearing the nightguard while you sleep can protect your teeth and your jaws, and help prevent headache pain.
Other treatments for headache relief that your dentist may recommend include:
- Physical therapy
- Moist heat or ice therapy
- Medications including muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories
- Stretching and physical therapy exercises
If your headaches are caused by a poorly-aligned jaw or traumatic bite, your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment to realign your bite, which will help prevent headaches.
There are also some things you can do to get temporary relief from headache pain. You can try:
- Massaging your jaw and facial muscles
- Applying cold packs or moist heat to your face and head
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications
You can get relief from your headaches, starting with a simple phone call to your dentist. To find out more about headache and TMJ treatment and other services, call the dentists of Mendelson Family Dentistry in Owings Mills, MD at (410) 356-4100. Call today, and feel better soon!