How Malocclusions Can Cause Headaches

April 22, 2019 Image Credit:

Headaches can be caused by many different things including dehydration, extreme stress, medication side effects, and tension in the neck and shoulders, among other things. However, there is a lesser-known cause for your headache, which is called a malocclusion. Malocclusion is the misalignment of the jaws and teeth.

How Malocclusions Can Cause Headaches

There are a number of reasons why malocclusions can occur. These include trauma to the mouth and teeth, missing teeth, or even genetics. But no matter why a malocclusion happens, it can cause a strain on the jaw and the muscles that control it. If too much pressure is applied to the hinge joints of the jaws (known as the temporomandibular joint), the muscles can become sore and achy or the jaw can move out of alignment. If untreated, a malocclusion will eventually cause a clicking or popping noises in the jaw, neck and jaw pain, and headaches.

Common Reasons For Malocclusion

Below are a few of the common reasons for malocclusion:
  • Tooth decay or infection
  • Overbites
  • Underbites
  • Misaligned jaws or crooked teeth
The best way to fix malocclusions is through orthodontic treatment. If you’re suffering from the above symptoms or if you have a persistent headache, you may want to receive an orthodontic evaluation. To schedule your consultation with our Spanish Fork, Utah orthodontist, please contact Kuhni Orthodontic Studio today.