Not Tonight honey – I have a Headache  

People that suffer from chronic headaches often go from doctor to doctor trying to find solutions to their head pain, but only get another prescription that treats the symptoms and not the problem. Most people do not know all their options to treat their pain, and what is actually available to them. Chronic migraine, headache and facial pain can range from being occasionally distracting to totally debilitating. Those whose symptoms are mild and infrequent may not question the source. Others, who’ve lived with the ongoing battle, may wonder if they’ll ever find long-term relief.         

Many don’t ask this soon enough, but the question is, “Could it be a dental problem?” It just might be. See, a large number of cases involving headaches, muscles spasms and jaw joint pain are absolutely a dental problem. The Medical and Dental professions are becoming aware of the intricate relationship between proper bite and the muscles and nerves of the jaw joint. A very delicate and predicable reproduce-able balance must occur in the chewing system for total harmony, stability and comfort.         

Let me explain. If you had one leg that became shorter than the other, how long would it take before it would affect your hips? Well, it depends. If your bedridden – never, if you’re a jogger – pretty soon, if you’re a marathon runner – immediately and severe. If your bite is not balanced or even, it is like having a shorter leg and sooner or later it is going to start hurting, and if you have a tendency to clinch and grind your teeth, especially while asleep, you are a dental marathon runner.         

For a large number of patients with facial pain and headaches, the problem and its solution revolve around one of the most complex joint in the body – the Temporomandibular Joint (TM Joint). The condition is generally referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome, or TMJ. It is not a disease, it is a simultaneous occurrence of a number of problems associated with the jaw, nerves, and chewing muscles. With today’s new technologies and increased understanding, dentist with specific, advanced training in TMJ disorders can diagnose and successfully treat the large majority of these patients. In fact, if a TMJ disorder is determined, predicable long-term relief is achievable 95% of the time.          

Most headache suffers, after learning that there is benefits of proper treatment for TMJ causes of headaches wonder “How do I find a doctor trained in providing this care.” My best advice is to ask the dentist the following questions: “

Do you treat headaches?” Some dentists do not focus on specific conditions, like headaches and would prefer not to. So ask the dentist of he or she treats headaches that stem for TMJ. Some do not.

“What is your experience and training?” Comprehensive treatment of the TMJ can be complicated so additional and advanced training is important.

“Do you have a working relationship with an imaging center? Not all patients need to have an MRI, but some do. And the doctor is working in the dark if he or she can’t order and interpret one when needed.

Ask for credentials or affiliations. Don’t be shy. The stakes are too high. If the doctor is properly trained, he or she will be glad to show you.         

 No one has a clue what it’s like to wake up every morning knowing that the majority of the day, you’ll be fighting a constant, agonizing, excruciating headache that just won’t give up. If you really want to get rid of your headache and start living a “normal” life in a short amount of time, then you need to be aware that help has arrived.  

Dr. Ron Bosher has been in practice for over 30 years, is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and is a teaching faculty member at the Center for Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry (CARD) at Baylor College of Dentistry, Department of Continuing Education

This article wriiten by Dr. Bosher was published in SouthernVanity magazine in July 2007