Headache is considered to be one of the most frequent complaints patients report to their doctors. However, among all cases, just a few of them stem from some serious illnesses. A severe migraine can bring overwhelming pain and discomfort. Therefore, it is highly important to find out and eliminate the cause for this.

The reasons for headaches vary: it could be a result of struggling with stress, having bad posture, eyesight problems, or dental health issues. Generally speaking, headaches are divided into two types: primary and secondary. The first one includes headaches, which are not symptoms of some other disease. The other is related to medical conditions such as high blood pressure, infections, and dental concerns. If one experiences toothache and headache simultaneously, there is a high chance that those two signs are connected. Very often, teeth or gum issues can be a cause of a headache.

In this article by family dentist Albuquerque you can learn about the occurrence of a headache from a toothache, the ways to prevent the pain, and how to care about your oral health to avoid dental issues.

Migraine and Tooth Pain: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention 

Headache is a common symptom of different diseases, and it might be hard to distinguish what kind of discomfort can be caused by dental health problems. If the core of the concern is a dental health issue, it’s often reported that a toothache and a headache affect one side. In other cases, it feels like an intermittent throbbing pain all over the head.

While painkillers can quickly ease the pain, they don’t eliminate the core cause. In addition to that, analgesic medicine can lead to dependency and will deteriorate the general situation. That is why seeing a doctor is very important. After a proper check-up, it would be possible to identify what exact area leads to toothaches and subsequent headaches. 

Headache from tooth pain can be led to or followed by specific signs and symptoms. The following paragraphs describe what oral health diseases can result in a headache.

Dental Damage

A broken tooth can also cause a headache. In case a tooth is chipped or cracked deeply, the pain may occur because of the affected nerves inside the pulp cavity. Healthy teeth have a sturdy enamel that serves as a protective layer and prevents such considerable harm. Nevertheless, many factors deteriorate the toughness of the enamel, such as age, poor oral hygiene, biting down tough food, drinking very hot or cold, or acidic beverages. 

To avoid making teeth vulnerable to damage, one should use a soft-bristle toothbrush, avoid teeth grinding, and the foods and drinks mentioned. If a toothache with a headache due to dental decay happens, seeing a dentist is necessary. Depending on the damage, a doctor can fix a tooth with a dental filling, bonding. In a severe case, a dental crown can be installed.

Gum Disease

The bacteria can damage not only teeth but severely harm gums as well. Poor oral care, smoking, and vitamin deficiencies also have an impact on your gums. Unpleasant odor, swelling red areas, and pain in a mouth cavity while brushing teeth and chewing – all these are symptoms of gum inflammation. Such conditions can lead to a near-constant headache – toothache migraine. In case a disease is not addressed timely, then it can lead to periodontitis. Periodontal disease is more dangerous because it proceeds to acute symptoms and can eventually result in tooth loss. Furthermore, Gum Disease and COVID-19 are found to be linked. Periodontitis appears among critical virus consequences and can increase the risk of illness outcomes and other health complications. 

Proper oral health hygiene, regular dentist visits can prevent gum disease. In case any symptoms appear, it is necessary to see a doctor immediately. Only a specialist can choose the right treatment and advise remedies accordingly.

Tooth Decay

Taking care of your dental health should be an essential part of a daily routine. Brushing and flossing your teeth can remove bacteria and keep your mouth cavity fresh and clean. If the cleaning procedure is not done properly, the accumulated bacteria will form a gluey plaque that damages the enamel. As a result, the bacteria can get further inside the tooth, which will cause serious tooth damage.

High sensitivity is considered to be the first sign of tooth damage. The area of tooth decay is called the cavity. It can become noticeable and look like a brown, black, or even white stain. Consequently, tooth damage will cause pain and discomfort. The condition can be followed by debilitating headaches. 

Luckily, there are effective methods of tooth decay prevention. Meticulous oral hygiene twice a day is a huge step towards healthy teeth. Excluding foods that can have a damaging effect on your teeth can be beneficial. You can check the list of what foods damage your teeth. Regular dental appointments are also a necessary part of foreseeing and treating any dental issues on time. A damaged tooth can be fixed by cavity filling. At times when the decay is too deep, a root canal might be needed. In the most critical cases of advanced decay, a damaged tooth is removed and replaced with a dental implant. 

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding is also known as Bruxism. Some may grind their teeth and clench jaws together unconsciously at night or while being stressed. It can act as a trigger for migraine headaches from toothache. If a jaw is in the wrong position, the jaw muscles must work harder. Such tension can lead to Bruxism. A condition eventually causes a dull headache and may be followed by sore jaw muscles. 

People who suffer from Bruxism should see the doctor to look into the underlying cause. For example, a dentist can create a tailor-made mouthguard that is worn at night. It helps to prevent teeth grinding and headaches caused by toothache as well. In case the reason behind grinding is stress or anxiety, a patient should reach for mental health counseling.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) 

The reason for recurring headaches can be a painful and sensitive temporomandibular joint of the jaw. People who suffer from TMJ cannot chew on one or both sides of their mouths. A continuous tension results in unbearable headaches. In some cases, a tooth can get damaged. To eliminate discomfort, one can apply a hot compress to ease the pain and relax jaw muscles. However, the underlying cause should be investigated and addressed by a professional.

Conclusion

Toothache and headache are often linked, and the problem of headache from toothache is quite common. While the underlying issues might be different, there are specific signs which are associated with certain dental health problems. Oral hygiene measures, a healthy diet, and regular check-ups are the most common methods of headache from toothache prevention. In case you have any symptoms mentioned, it’s recommended to see a doctor immediately. Only a specialist can identify what exactly causes the pain and decide on the most appropriate treatment.