Can bruxism cause headaches?

Consider the intricate relationship of teeth, jaws, and muscles. Our body is designed with such precision that even the most subtle shift can disrupt the harmony of this complex system. 

One such disruption can occur due to bruxism, or teeth grinding, leading to unexpected consequences – including headaches. You might be wondering what the correlation is between these two things. Read on to find out about how bruxism can affect the body, as well as our teeth.

Understanding bruxism

Bruxism is a condition where an individual unconsciously grinds or clenches their teeth, typically during sleep. This can cause various issues from tooth damage to jaw disorders and headaches. While the exact cause of bruxism can vary, stress, disharmony in the bite, or the inherent functions of the brain, like the Central Pattern Regulator, can play significant roles.

There are a great variety of causes of bite problems. However some of the more common ones are:

•   We were born or destined to develop that way
•   They wore through wear and tear that way.
•   Restorative dentistry (fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures) carried out over the years, without too much planning.
•   Orthodontic Treatment – an orthodontist may put our teeth where they look nice, rather than where they need to be functionally. This can result in bite problems too.

What disrupts occlusion?

Occlusion refers to the alignment between the upper and lower teeth when they approach each other. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the harmony of our dental system. Any disruption in this delicate balance can lead to numerous oral health issues, including bruxism.

Two major problems can disrupt the harmony of occlusion: issues with bite and tooth position.

• Problem 1: Errors in our bite can force us to put our teeth in a position comfortable for the teeth, but not the jaw joints. This discrepancy leads to constant muscle strain, trying to balance these two positions.
  
• Problem 2: Misalignment of our teeth can prevent them from sliding over each other smoothly. Our brains must then keep our head and neck muscles constantly active to avoid the conflicting surfaces, causing a continuous strain, much like having a stone in your shoe.

Both these problems can lead to teeth clenching or grinding, also known as bruxism.

Bruxism and headaches: The connection

What does a bruxism headache feel like? Bruxism exerts additional pressure on the muscles around our jaws, leading to muscle strain. This constant strain can often cause frequent headaches. As it often causes a tension headache, they will often feel like a dull ache or like there is a steady pressure on both sides of your head. Therefore, what may initially seem as just a dental issue can also significantly affect your overall wellbeing.

The role of stress in bruxism and headaches

Life can be bumpy. During these bumpy times, stressors like parental challenges, relationships, job changes or bereavements can exacerbate bruxism. The increased clenching and grinding due to stress can subsequently lead to more severe headaches, forming a vicious cycle. Therefore, it’s essential to understand and manage stress effectively to prevent its potential impact on your oral health and overall wellbeing.

How your dentist can help

Dentists like us are equipped with the expertise to identify and manage bruxism. With regular dental check-ups, especially during stressful periods, we can provide treatments or suggest strategies to mitigate the effects of bruxism. This proactive approach can help prevent headaches and safeguard your oral health.

Your dentist may choose to address your bite problem with one or all of the following:

•  A bite guard to protect the teeth from future damage
•  Minor additions to certain teeth to restore harmony
•  Minor adjustments to certain teeth to restore harmony

Bruxism isn’t merely a dental problem — it’s a health problem that needs a comprehensive solution. You need to manage stress, get regular dental check-ups, and seek prompt treatment if you have bruxism symptoms. This way, you’ll be better equipped to stop bruxism from turning into headaches, or even worse, fractured teeth.

“Really comfortable. It feels uncomfortable if I’m not wearing it, especially at night time. It is relaxing my jaw and has repositioned it to a much more comfortable position. I was clenching my jaw in a posture, it was quite marked. I was holding my stress in my jaw. That has all settled now. A re-balancing. Everyone should have one, if they need one. It’s a good investment.” – Charles F, Chichester