“How can a toothache cause a headache?”
I have a headache that comes and goes. It goes away after I take medication, but I also have a toothache in one of my upper teeth--this doesn't go away. My mother seems to think that my headache and toothache are connected and that I should definitely go to the dentist and check it out. Could this really be true? In what way can a toothache and headache be related?
4 Answers
Yes that’s true. Toothaches can radiate to the temporal region and cause headaches because of the fact that nerves are connected. See an dentist, treat the tooth and you should have a solution for your headache
It is true that a toothache can cause a headache, and even vice versa. The nerves inside of the tooth are the nerve endings, but those nerves can connect to a broad network of nerves that travel all over the head and neck region. When the pain radiates from one area to another, it is a phenomenon called referred pain.
A toothache and headache can be related in many ways.
1: The tooth can be close to the sinus. If the sinus is congested this pressure may lead to a toothache and the sensation of a headache.
2: When teeth hurt we tend to clench and/or grind more although we may not be aware that we do this. This can lead to stress of the muscles which can be felt as a headache as well.
3: The nerve innervation of the tooth is connected to the nerve innervation of the remainder of the face. This can lead to referred pain which can be felt as a headache as well.
1: The tooth can be close to the sinus. If the sinus is congested this pressure may lead to a toothache and the sensation of a headache.
2: When teeth hurt we tend to clench and/or grind more although we may not be aware that we do this. This can lead to stress of the muscles which can be felt as a headache as well.
3: The nerve innervation of the tooth is connected to the nerve innervation of the remainder of the face. This can lead to referred pain which can be felt as a headache as well.
Your aches could come from a variety of causes; however the most likely is that there is something in the fit of your teeth that your brain does not like. The brain then instructs the muscles to chew away that interference with enormous forces while you are asleep. This is called 'bruxing' and it can cause sore teeth and sore muscles. Have your teeth checked by someone who understands "occlusion".
