Teeth grinding has many undesirable long-term effects, like inflamed gum, periodontal disease, cracked teeth, and worn enamel. However, the effect you might notice most quickly is the headache that teeth grinding can cause.
Teeth grinding arises because of tension carried in or expressed by the jaw muscles. That tension can come from physical or emotional stress as well as from teeth misalignment or jaw misalignment. And the muscle strain involved can spread well beyond the jaw. In fact, some teeth grinding starts out as neck tension, which then moves up to affect the facial muscles.
So, you can see how it is commonplace for teeth grinding and headaches to increase in tandem. Either tension in certain muscle groups is causing both issues, or the teeth grinding habit is increasing muscle tension in neighboring areas, such as the forehead, the neck, and the back of the skull. It’s even common for teeth grinding and migraines to go hand-in-hand.
The question remains: what can you do about it?
How can you treat headache pain?
If you’re experiencing a migraine or a tension headache, you want immediate relief.
Over-the-counter medication or prescription migraine medication is often the easiest choice. And it’s a good option. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen (all NSAIDs), work by diminishing the inflammation in the muscle groups that are contributing to the headache. And acetaminophen works to relieve pain by affecting enzymes in the brain.
However, these drugs can all have side effects. NSAIDs can damage your stomach lining if used frequently over prolonged periods, and some of them mildly increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Acetaminophen, if misused or overused, can damage the liver. Plus, if your headaches are severe, these pain relievers may not do the trick on their own. So, it is good to have some other options as well.
Alternative pain treatments include massage, the application of ice and heat, and deep breathing relaxation. These are usually most effective if you use them at the first signs of a headache.
Applying ice or heat for headaches will lessen (for ice) or increase (for heat) the blood flow to the area. You may notice that one is more effective than the other for your headaches, or you may have the best results from alternating them or using both in neighboring areas.
It is also important to try massage early on because it can become quite painful to massage your neck and head if your headache is already severe. You can come massage with heat and ice. Try heating an area, massaging it, and then applying ice.
Breathing and relaxation techniques tap into your body’s natural ability to release the tension on its own. Breathe into the area where to feel the tension, and then breathe out with the intention of letting go. Repeat for each grouping of tension or use this approach over your whole body, beginning with your toes and working up through each muscle group.
All of these are ways of treating a headache that’s already begun. That approach is a form of reactive treatment. However, while you will want to use that, you will also need to start taking proactive measures.
Reduce the number and severity of headaches with proactive treatments.
Managing your stress level, eating well and consistently, and getting a healthy amount of sleep are the biggest steps you can take toward reducing your headaches. This might mean building a more relaxing and consistent bedtime routine, including de-stressing activities in your day, or eliminating certain major stressors from your life.
You could also try alternative preventative techniques, such as headache acupuncture or Botox injections designed to reduce teeth grinding and/or migraines. And you can work on addressing any posture issues you might have. If you sit at a desk for long hours, you are likely putting a great deal of strain on your neck and shoulders. Physical therapy or daily stretching and strengthening exercises can help address this, as can an office chair designed to improve posture.
If your headaches are very frequent, you should talk to your doctor. A doctor may prescribe prescription medications that reduce the occurrence of migraines and severe tension headaches. You could also ask if an MRI or CT scan might be right for you. These can pinpoint whether there are any other underlying issues behind your headaches other than muscle tension.
Protect your teeth.
Since your headaches are accompanied by teeth grinding, it’s important not to overlook the well-being of your pearly whites. Stress relief, Botox injections, and orthodontic work can all help to reduce the occurrence of teeth grinding, but it is often hard to stop grinding completely.
So, make sure you invest in a night guard to protect your teeth from the effects of wear and tear. Choosing a custom mouth guard will offer the greatest variety of densities and bring you the most comfortable fit. You can find numerous choices on the TeethNightGuard site.
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SOFT FLEXIBLE 2MM SLIM FIT CUSTOM TEETH NIGHT GUARD
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