Very few of us have teeth that are perfectly aligned. Various flaws in development can leave many people with crooked or overlapped teeth or jaws with abnormalities. Too, improperly designed crowns and fillings can also contribute to an uneven bite.
Yet, bite misalignment is one of the main sources of tension headaches. A tension headache causes a tight feeling or dull pain in the temples, forehead or on the back of the head.
A misaligned bite prevents the jaw muscles from completely relaxing. This constant strain on the muscles leads to an overproduction of lactic acid, which is a metabolic by-product. This leads to head pain.
Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder can cause severe headaches as well. These headaches may also include pain in the jaw joints, neck and shoulders.
This jaw joint is located in front of the ear and connects the lower jaw to the skull. Because the TMJ is involved when we talk, eat and yawn, it takes lots of stress throughout a normal day. However, those who grind their teeth at night or clench typically have bite misalignment in addition to TMJ Disorder.
In many cases, a misaligned bite can be adjusted with simple reshaping of some teeth. Other bite adjustments, including orthodontics, may be needed to achieve normal jaw function and teeth alignment. We offer Invisalign for basic tooth realignment in cases where orthodontics is necessary for adults.
To learn more, call 1-866-9-Smiles for a free Consultation.
