October 6, 2005 • ISSUE 50 / VOLUME 1

A bad bite can result in headaches

Your dentist can provide treatment and relieve pain

Headaches and tenderness of the jaw can be caused by overworked muscles compensating for a bad bite.

Do you suffer from headaches or muscle tenderness around your jaw, or does your jaw lock or stray to one side when you open your mouth? Do you find yourself grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw?

The aches and pains you have may be related to your jaw muscles and jaw joints. The muscles of your temple areas (forehead) play an important part in opening and closing your jaw. If your "bite" is not right, then your muscles on one side of your head could become overworked. These overworked (contracted) muscles can't rest, and they start to suffer from poor circulation and accumulation of waste products. The result can be a horrendous headache. And if you don't have a headache, you can wear down your teeth. Or, you might find your jaw clicking and "popping."

What can be done about this?

First, identify the cause or causes of the pain. Diagnosis is important before treatment. Believe it or not, your dentist can help. Dr. Jonathan Okabe has been trained in the more advanced techniques necessary to evaluate your teeth and the varying interacting factors that may be affecting your bite. Your "bite" might not be in the most optimal place for your muscles. This may be because of your habits, outside stress or uneven, or missing, teeth.

A person's habits, outside stress and clenching of the jaw are a few of the interactive factors that can result in an inproper bite.

Your jaw muscles can be placed in a more optimal place by a number of dental procedures that can relieve discomfort and help improve your smile.

Treatment can involve many different methods. There are things that you can do for yourself. Apply moist heat to the areas that are painful. Avoid chewing gum or biting nails. Practice relaxation techniques. If these don't help, then it's time to seek professional help.

Dr. Jonathan Okabe brings modern, specialized skills to help you even further. He can treat you by making a specialized and customized acrylic "night guard" or splint that can help you decrease clenching or grinding. He also has a specialized instrument that can help relax your constantly contracting head muscles. It may be possible to put your muscles in a more optimal place by "building up" any teeth that have been ground down, or by replacing missing teeth. At the same time, these procedures can help improve your smile!

If you're feeling headaches, neck and jaw pain, or are missing teeth, call Dr. Jonathan Okabe, DDS Inc., today at 596-0837.