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Autor: tkwriter
~ 07/10/10
Do you suffer from headaches on a regular basis? Over 40% of the U.S. population have been affected by awful headaches during some point in their lives. It has been estimated that over 550 million work days are lost each year because of headaches.
If you suffer from chronic headaches then it’s in your best interest to let your dentist know what you are experiencing. Depending on the type of headache, your dentist may be able to provide you with a resolution to helping them.
Headaches are normally organized into 4 basic types:
Sinus – The pain is located directly behind the brow and/or cheekbones.
Cluster – Pain is in and around one eye.
Tension – Pain is like a band that is squeezing the head
Migraine – The classic type is made of of pain, nausea, and visual changes
The tension headache is often times the most common of all the headaches. Research estimates the number being as high as 90%. Over the counter pain medication will often times control the symptoms and discomfort. However if they occur with some regularity and have persisted for an extended interval of time it is in your best interest to discuss them with a dentist that specializes in headaches.
The muscles around the temple area of your forehead offer a vital part in controlling and closing the jaw. If your occlusion or bite is not aligned properly you can encounter abnormal tension in these muscles. This could actually be a trigger of your tension headaches.
If your bite is not corrected the muscles remain tight and stiff for longer amounts of time. The contracted muscle doesn’t get a chance to relax and soon worsens because of poor circulation due to a lack of oxygen. Waste products also accumulate. The result of all of this is a headache.
This is why a visit to your dentist can be the solution to your headaches. Try to find a dentist who is a specialist in the technology that allows them to objectively evaluate the state of your muscles and other factors that may be affecting your bite. Based on this evaluation and a comprehensive exam he/she can rule in or out your bite being a possible cause of your chronic headaches.
If your dentist determines that your bite is indeed the source of your pain then one option is a custom made orthotic. An orthotic is a plastic appliance that is worn over or fixed on your teeth to help align your bite.
Your dentist may then discuss options on how to permanently correct your bite thus effectively assisting your with eliminating your headaches.
