Orthodontics and Migraines: Can Braces Help Reduce Headaches?
If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, you might be surprised to learn that the cause could be related to your teeth and jaw alignment. At Optimal Orthodontics of Humble, our board-certified orthodontists have seen how misaligned teeth and jaws can contribute to chronic headaches. Orthodontic treatment, such as braces or aligners, can not only improve your smile but may also help alleviate the underlying causes of headaches and migraines.
The Connection Between Jaw Misalignment and Headaches
Many headaches, especially tension headaches and migraines, are linked to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)—the joint that connects your jaw to the rest of your skull. When your bite is misaligned, it places additional stress on the muscles and joints in your jaw, leading to TMJ disorders. TMJ issues can cause a range of symptoms, including jaw pain, difficulty chewing, earaches, and, most notably, headaches.
When the muscles around your jaw and head are strained due to misalignment, this tension can radiate through your head, neck, and shoulders, triggering headaches or even full-blown migraines. In some cases, people may not realize that their bite or jaw alignment is the root cause of their pain. Instead, they may treat their symptoms with over-the-counter medications, which only provide temporary relief.
How Orthodontics Can Help
Orthodontic treatment can help reduce headaches and migraines by addressing the root cause: the misalignment of teeth and jaws. Here’s how:
- Braces or Invisalign for Alignment: By using braces or clear aligners like Invisalign, our team at Optimal Orthodontics of Humble can gradually guide your teeth into their correct positions, improving your bite and reducing stress on the TMJ.
- Jaw Repositioning: In more severe cases of jaw misalignment or bite issues (such as overbites, underbites, or crossbites), orthodontic appliances can reposition the jaw to improve its function and reduce strain on the muscles.
- Reducing Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Misaligned teeth often cause bruxism (teeth grinding), which is a significant contributor to headaches and jaw pain. Braces or aligners can correct the alignment of the teeth and reduce grinding, thus alleviating headache symptoms.
Long-Term Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
By correcting jaw alignment, orthodontics not only improves oral health but also addresses related issues such as TMJ discomfort and migraines. Many patients at Optimal Orthodontics of Humble who have undergone treatment report a noticeable reduction in headache frequency and severity. These improvements are often long-lasting, as they correct the structural cause of the discomfort rather than just treating the symptoms.
Additionally, properly aligned teeth make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene, which helps prevent other oral health issues that could contribute to headaches, such as tooth decay or gum disease.
When to Seek Help
If you experience frequent headaches or migraines and suspect that they may be related to jaw or teeth alignment, it’s essential to consult with an orthodontist. At Optimal Orthodontics of Humble, our board-certified orthodontists can perform a thorough evaluation to determine if orthodontic treatment could help reduce your headache symptoms.
Schedule Your Consultation
Don’t let migraines or frequent headaches control your life. Contact Optimal Orthodontics of Humble today to schedule a consultation and learn how orthodontic treatment could be the solution to both a healthy smile and headache relief.
