Teeth and migraines: is there a link?

Did you know that migraines and headaches can be caused by a misaligned jaw? There is an intrinsic link between the back and the teeth, which affects head posture and overall physical well-being.

Just as with the back, muscles and posture, there is a link between craniomandibular disorders and the occurrence of migraines and recurrent headaches.

In fact, patients suffering from such symptoms increasingly present with anatomical and functional problems of the stomatognathic system, that is, the set of all structures involved in chewing and swallowing food. Specifically, we are referring to the teeth, jaws, muscles involved in chewing, oral mucosa, temporomandibular joints and related nerve endings.

Several studies have now established that there is a correlation between the health of the oral system and that of the rest of the body, as all parts are interconnected and influence one another. Generally speaking, the correct positioning of the jaw has a positive effect on the ideal functioning of the rest of the body. Conversely, a malfunction of the facial muscles and those surrounding the temporomandibular joint causes an imbalance in the position of the head on the spine, exponentially increasing the likelihood of symptoms such as migraines and headaches.

Just consider that an adult’s head weighs between 3.6 and 4.5 kilograms and rests entirely on the upper part of the spine. This is why it is easy to see that a curvature of the spine causes the jaw to shift forwards, thereby altering the bite and leading to dental malocclusion. This general dysfunction places the back, neck and head under tremendous strain, resulting in inflammation of the facial and jaw muscles.