Headaches and Your Bite

Houston, Texas

If you suffer from painful and uncomfortable headaches, the cause may be a misaligned bite. Exerting pressure on the joints, ligaments and muscles of your face, neck and jaw, malocclusion can lead to headaches and many other painful symptoms. Many patients have seen numerous medical specialists and still have no relief.  This medical clearance is important as it rules out many problems. 

At the Konig Center for Cosmetic & Comprehensive Dentistry, Houston, Texas TMJ dentist Dr. Ronald W. Konig can assess your bite and determine if malocclusion is causing your headaches.

Improper Bite Alignment as a Headache Cause

In a properly aligned bite, the upper teeth fit over the lower teeth, and opposite molars fit together precisely. Bite misalignment – or "malocclusion" – is teeth and dental arches that do not align correctly or meet together in a position that puts tension on the joints and muscles.

Bite misalignment causes tension in the muscles of your head, jaw and neck, and this muscle tension can lead to headaches. You may experience tension headaches or even excruciating migraine-like headaches as a result of a bad bite. If you have been receiving migraine treatment, such as pain medications, you may experience temporary symptom relief while the cause of your headaches goes untreated.

Headaches are not the only undesirable consequence of a bad bite. Other symptoms that may be caused by malocclusion include:

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
• Speech difficulties
• Impaired chewing ability
• Neck pain
• Back and shoulder pain

There are several methods available to achieve proper alignment of your teeth and dental arches.

Treatment for Headaches and Bite Misalignment

If it is determined that TMJ dysfunction is a cause of your headaches and other symptoms then treatment can consist of several different treatments. The first step is to provide bite management to relieve the symptoms.  This may involve the use of an orthotic, or alignment device that places your jaw in the correct position and allows the muscles to relax and the joints to heal.

After healing and the patient has no further symptoms then other treatment can be used to get rid of the orthotic and provide long term stability.

Houston TMJ dentist Dr. Konig uses TENS technology, computer assisted technology, and a 3D scan  to help relieve muscle pain and identifies the optimal resting position of your jaw. The TENS device gently stimulates the muscles surrounding your jaw, increasing blood circulation to the area, and alleviating pain and soreness. Once your jaw is relaxed, Houston dentist Dr. Konig can make an impression of this bite position and create a customized orthotic device, which will move your bite into its optimal position.

If you are suffering from migraine headaches and would like to learn more about bite improvement for people living in Houston, Texas and the surrounding areas, please contact experienced TMJ dentist Dr. Ronald W. Konig to schedule a consultation.  Proudly serving the areas of Houston, Katy, Galveston, and Sugarland, Texas.