Headaches & Your Oral Health

Capitola Dentistry

We all know the feeling – sharp or dull, nagging, throbbing – of a painful headache. While we all get them, we don’t always know why or what is causing it. Your headaches may be caused by a number of different conditions related to your oral health, from a small cavity to a more severe jaw malady. Some of the most common oral issues Capitola dentist Dr. Halbleib treats that also relieve headaches are:

Cavities

Pain caused by a cavity is usually a sign of infection. The ache in your teeth or gums can radiate to other parts of your body, like your head. Cavities left undiagnosed or treated can lead to gum abscesses, severe infection and tooth loss. Headaches are a common symptom of all these painful conditions.

Misaligned Bite

There are many causes of a bad, or misaligned bite – chipped teeth, missing teeth, under or overbite, emerging wisdom teeth – and this can cause extra strain on your jaw resulting in facial or head pain. Luckily, all these afflictions are easily diagnosed and treated by your Capitola dentist Dr. Halbleib.

Teeth Clenching or Grinding

Many patients grind or clench their teeth in their sleep and don’t know it. This common habit over works jaw muscles which can lead to terrible headaches and can be an indicator of more severe sleep conditions.

Sleep Disordered Breathing

Sleep disorders like sleep apnea can leave patients fatigued from lack of quality sleep at night. Headaches from lack of sleep, due to loud snoring, or obstructive breathing when lying down at night are all symptoms of sleep disorders that Capitola dentist Dr. Halbleib can help relieve.   

To schedule an appointment to receive personalized care for your dental-related headaches, please call Capitola dentist Dr. Halbleib at 831-462-1612 today.