Headaches and bruxism affect thousands of the American population.  How is it possible to have a headache even before you get out of bed? Bruxism is the act of clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth during sleep, and that could be the cause of your headaches. Bruxism is a dangerous dental problem that can lead to a host of other issues  besides headaches, such as tooth wear and broken teeth, and it can also do damage to the bone structure of the jaw joint with temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ syndrome). Sleeping with a clenched jaw exerts excessive force of 200 pounds of pressure on the teeth and jaw joints. No wonder you have a headache!

Researchers concluded that those who grind their teeth and clench their jaw tend to feel more stressed at work and in their daily life, and, seem to deal with stress in a negative way.

Bruxism affects up to 10 percent of the population, and according to research, those who suffer from this common, but incapacitating problem, need intervention from a dentist to avoid the long-term effects on your overall health.

Headaches and Bruxism 

These symptoms often go untreated because who would think that chronic headaches are caused by tooth grinding or clenching your jaw? Putting an end to the clenching or grinding of your teeth requires a dental evaluation.

If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, make an appointment to see Dr. Chris Bockrath of Mountain Aire Dentistry in Broomfield, Colorado. As a qualified dentist, Dr. Bockrath can determine if bruxism is the cause of your headaches and offer other solutions, such as a custom night guard designed to protect your teeth while you sleep. This will curb bruxism symptoms, and eliminate headaches. Additional treatments can also focus on stress and other contributors, which may further alleviate tension headaches. Check out our website to learn more about bruxism and Dr. Bockrath’s method of treatment for it.  

Do You Have Bruxism?

People can suffer from bruxism for a long period of time and not know it. If you have stress headaches or migraines and you suspect that you’re clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, contact our office.  During your consultation, Dr. Bockrath will inquire and check for other symptoms of bruxism as follows:

Other Common Symptoms of Bruxism Besides Headaches

•   Pain in your teeth and tooth sensitivity to pressure, heat, and cold
•   Chipping or cracking teeth, especially on surfaces where teeth come in contact
•   Aching jaw and facial muscles, along with stiffness in the jaw early in the morning
•   Poor quality of sleep
•   Earache, tinnitus and sinus pains
•   Stiff neck and shoulders

If left untreated, bruxism can have long-term effects, and plague you with symptoms that are almost unbearable. Allow Dr. Bockrath to help restore you to a better-quality life. With the proper treatment, he can help alleviate your symptoms. Some of the long-term effects are found below:

Long-term Effects of Bruxism

•   Prolonged untreated headaches and migraines
•   Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
•   Clicking or popping jaw joint
•   Tooth wear and tooth loss

Your teeth should last for a lifetime; however, bruxism is a destructive condition that wears them down. If you have a headache when you wake up, notice unusual wear on your teeth or otherwise suspect that you have the symptoms of bruxism, contact Mountain Aire Dentistry at (303) 731-7755 to schedule an appointment for your free consultation.

The experienced team at Mountain Aire Dentistry will be able to evaluate your symptoms of headaches and bruxism in order to determine if that is, in fact, the cause and what treatment options may work best for you. Dr. Bockrath would like to see your headaches and bruxism improve so you can return to the quality of life you deserve!

To accommodate your busy schedule, we have appointments available early mornings along with some extended hours. Mountain Aire Dentistry is located at 291 E Flatiron Crossing Dr in Broomfield, Colorado, with easy access to patients living in Northglenn, Thornton, Centennial and Erie. Give us a call today at (303) 731-7755.