It always seems like a headache comes on at the most inopportune of times. You’re trying to get a good night’s sleep. You’re out on a date with someone you like. Or, you’re just out and about running errands that you can no longer put off.

Many people write off headaches to the bright sun, a lack of caffeine, or a poor night’s sleep. But what if we told you that a possible reason for your headaches might be a misaligned jaw? We got your attention, didn’t we?

Understanding Neuromuscular Dentistry 

While no one wants to experience jaw pain or those excruciating headaches, we do have some possible good news for you. If your headaches are indeed caused by misalignment of your jaw, Berrien Dental—your team at your Saint Joseph dental clinic—can help. And the solution? An approach called neuromuscular dentistry.

We know what you’re thinking—neuro-what? Here’s the deal. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the relationship between your jaw, muscles, and nerves to address issues like jaw misalignment that can lead to pain, including headaches. 

Unlike traditional dentistry, which primarily focuses on teeth and gums, neuromuscular dentistry looks at the entire system of muscles and joints around the jaw to find a balanced and comfortable position. This approach uses advanced technology to measure muscle activity and jaw movement, allowing the dentist to identify problems that may not be detected through standard dental exams. By treating the source of the discomfort rather than just the symptoms, neuromuscular dentistry can help provide relief from headaches and jaw pain caused by misalignment.

The Connection Between Jaw Alignment and Headaches

It all sounds fascinating, right? We think it is. But perhaps even more interesting is the unexpected connection between jaw alignment and your headaches. How can these two things be related? 

It’s actually quite simple. Jaw alignment plays a super important role in how the muscles around your face, neck, and shoulders function. When your jaw is misaligned, it puts strain on these surrounding muscles as they try to compensate for the imbalance. Over time, this strain can lead to muscle tension and tightness. This tension can spread, affecting not only your jaw but also your head, neck, and even your back.

Misalignment can trigger chronic headaches because the constant strain on the muscles can cause inflammation and pressure around sensitive areas, including nerves connected to your head. As a result, this ongoing muscle tension can lead to recurring headaches or even migraines. By addressing the root cause—jaw misalignment—neuromuscular dentistry helps reduce the muscle tension that contributes to these painful headaches

Diagnosing the Root Cause

It’s important to understand that while neuromuscular dentistry can do wonders in helping to treat your headaches, it is imperative that you get to the root cause of what is causing those headaches in the first place. And jaw misalignment is just one common contributing factor.

Other common root causes of headaches include the following:

• Poor diet and nutritional deficiencies: A lack of proper nutrients can contribute to headaches. Deficiencies in vitamins like magnesium or dehydration can often trigger them.
• Stress: Ongoing stress leads to muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders, which can result in frequent headaches.
• Muscle tension: Tight muscles from poor posture or strain can aggravate nerves, leading to headaches over time.
• Smoking: Smoking restricts blood flow and increases the risk of headaches, particularly for those prone to migraines.
• Caffeine: Too much caffeine or withdrawal from it can often be a source of headaches for regular coffee drinkers.
• Sleep deprivation: Lack of proper rest disrupts body functions, including blood flow and muscle relaxation, making headaches more common.
• Anxiety: Chronic anxiety may increase muscle tension and exacerbate headaches, especially when combined with other factors.
• Lack of exercise: Regular physical activity helps reduce stress and muscle tension, both of which contribute to headache relief.

If jaw alignment is indeed the culprit, know that the root cause of this has several potential factors. Jaw alignment is influenced by the way your teeth come together when you bite, the position of your jaw joints, and the balance of the muscles around your face and neck. 

Misalignment can occur due to habits like teeth grinding, clenching, or poor posture, as well as trauma to the jaw or changes in dental structure over time. Missing teeth or poorly fitted dental work can also disrupt the natural alignment of your jaw. Thankfully, a dentist who practices neuromuscular dentistry can help you get to the bottom of it.

Treatment Options in Neuromuscular Dentistry

We have more great news for you. There are several different approaches that can be taken to help relieve your jaw pain and those pesky headaches. The most common neuromuscular dentistry treatments are:

• Bite adjustment and realignment: This treatment involves correcting the way your teeth come together to reduce stress on the jaw muscles and joints.
• Use of oral appliances: Custom-made devices, such as mouthguards or splints, are worn to help reposition the jaw and alleviate muscle tension.
• Relaxation techniques and muscle therapies: Gentle exercises, massages, and stress-reducing techniques are used to relieve muscle tightness and promote better jaw alignment.

Benefits of Neuromuscular Dentistry Treatment

If you are suffering from painful headaches caused by jaw misalignment, clearly the greatest benefit of this unique approach to dentistry is that your pain will go away. And how can you not celebrate that possibility? A better night’s sleep? A better overall demeanor when you are out and about because you are no longer nursing a headache? The opportunity to go outside and enjoy the sun without squinting in pain?

All in all, the benefits of neuromuscular dentistry are quite simple. You can expect long-term relief from those chronic and often debilitating headaches—and, your quality of life will improve as a result.

Ready to see if neuromuscular dentistry is what you need for your headaches?

Don’t suffer needlessly from headache pain. Let Berrien Dental, your Saint Joseph dental practice, help you feel better. Request an appointment today and see how neuromuscular dentistry can take away your headache pain—for good.