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Are your teeth giving you a headache?

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Headaches can be a major problem effecting a persons life drastically if they persist and are frequent. There are many causes of headaches; allergies, fatigue, stress...

One common cause of headaches that is commonly overlooked is teeth grinding.

When a person grinds their teeth it stresses the jaw muscles, it can also damage the TMJ (jaw joint) this can often result in headaches.

Your dentist is often able to diagnosis your grinding just by looking at your teeth-

The signs that show that you are grinding your teeth include:

• Extreme wear on the teeth
• Large bone growths (your bodies way of protecting your teeth)
• Chipping away bone and enamel at the gum line as well as gum tissue recession
• Chipping enamel

Many treatment and preventative options are available depending on your symptoms

For additional information or to schedule an appointment please contact

Rochester Advanced Dentistry 248.656.2020

Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Have you ever been told that you clench or grind your teeth? You may be unaware of this habit until you visit the dentist. Most of the time bruxism, which is the technical term for teeth grinding, usually occurs while you sleep.

Common symptoms clenchers and grinders experience include:

• chipped teeth


• tooth sensitivity


• dull headaches


• TMJ soreness


• "notching" at the gumline, also known as abfractions


• recession of the gum tissue


• not getting a good nights sleep can also be be a symptom of grinding.

Occlusal guards, which are hard acrylic appliances custom made to fit the teeth, help to prevent any further damage by protecting your teeth. The appliance is worn on the upper teeth while you sleep, or during your most stressful times of the day. Occlusal guards do not fix any damage that has been done to the teeth, it is more of a way to prevent any further damage that may be done while clenching and grinding. The occlusal guards absorb the forces of your bite. Over the counter guards are uncomfortable and can make you grind more because they are soft and your brain registers that as food. Only the custom made occlusal guards are recommended by us at Rochester Advanced Dentistry.

Migraine Free

I have had Migraines since I was a teen, I was given my orthotic in September and pretty much knew right away that my headaches were better. I wasn't until a few weeks later that when I would take my orthotic out that other symptoms would arise. I would notice ringing or clogging in my ears especially the right one, pain behind my eyes , dizziness, and fatigue in my face a jaw. All symptoms of TMD or TMJ disorder when i put the orthotic back in the symptom would go away,I would also get a headache as soon as twenty min of the orthotic being out. I now know how important my "proper" bite is. I wear my orthotic 24,7, because I like the way "normal" feels