Do you often wake up with a headache? Are you experiencing chronic migraines and headaches? Dental health issues can sometimes exacerbate headaches, making daily life painful. Here, we will review some of the most common causes of headaches and how we can treat dental issues that cause headaches in Boise, ID.

Dental Problems and Headaches in Boise, ID

Some of the most common dental problems that can create headaches include:

Tooth Damage

If you have broken or chipped a tooth, you can potentially expose the nerve of your tooth. Pain in your tooth’s nerve can trigger migraines. Depending on the extent of your tooth damage, we may recommend bonding or a dental crown. A dental bonding treatment uses tooth-colored materials to cover chips and cracks in the tooth enamel.

Tooth crowns are best for large fractures or damage in the back of the mouth, affecting the molars. Dental crowns fully cover teeth and act as caps to protect teeth from further damage. Crowns are also tooth-colored restorations that blend in with the rest of the smile.

Dental Infections

Patients with a tooth infection or dental abscess can get headaches. Once a dental infection reaches the pulp, or the nerves, cells, and blood vessels within a tooth, it can create problems that include headaches, fever, and pain. We recommend a root canal if an infection has reached your dental pulp. During root canal treatment, a dentist removes the infected pulp and cleans the tooth or chamber inside. Then, they seal the tooth with a dental filling.

We may recommend a dental extraction if an infection is severe enough that we cannot perform a root canal to save the tooth. After the extraction site is healed, we recommend a single dental implant to restore the appearance and function of the missing tooth.

TMJ Disorders

Temporomandibular joint disorders, or TMD, are the most common culprits for headaches and migraines. An injury or stress to the joints that connect the skull to the jaw bone can create symptoms like teeth clenching and grinding. Also known as bruxism, teeth clenching and grinding often occur unconsciously or during sleep. The pain from bruxism can travel from the teeth and jaw to the head, creating tension headaches.

Many patients with TMJ disorders who experience bruxism can wake up with headaches. We may recommend custom nightguards for patients with TMD. If you experience morning headaches, tooth pain, and discomfort in your jaw, we can examine your smile and determine if you require TMJ treatment.

Are you experiencing tooth pain or discomfort in addition to chronic headaches or migraines? Call LIFESmiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for treatment today at (208) 254-6365. You may also schedule a dental consultation with us online.