When you have a headache, the only thing that matters is how to make it go away. But finding the best remedy isn’t always easy. The first step is figuring out what’s triggering your pain in the first place – and as it turns out, there’s a slew of potential causes you might not even know about (from exercise to fasting). If you’re trying to get to the bottom of your headaches, one factor you might want to consider is your teeth. “It’s not uncommon to get headaches related to teeth since your teeth are part of the skull anatomy,” says Julie Cho, DMD. In some cases, a toothache might even be the cause of your headache.
Think your toothache could be causing your headache? To give you more context, we asked dentists about how the two interact, including a few reasons why dental headaches occur, and what they actually feel like. Read on to see if your headache might be related to your teeth, plus a few expert-approved ways to get relief.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Julie Cho, DMD, is a board-certified dentist at a private practice, and a member of the American Dental Association.
Sarah Jebreil, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist and an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Matthew J. Messina, DDS, is a practicing general dentist with over 30 years of experience, as well as an assistant professor at Ohio State Upper Arlington Dentistry.
Can a Toothache Cause a Headache?
The relationship between toothaches and headaches is an interesting one. You have four muscles in your jaw area – the masseter, temporalis, and two pterygoids, says Sarah Jebreil, DDS. “When these muscles are tense or triggered, it can cause pain in the region and headaches,” she says. Dental headaches tend to be localized to the temples, forehead, and front of the ear, but they can also radiate to the inner ear and jaws, Dr. Cho says.
How Teeth Cause Headaches
With this in mind, there are several reasons why dental headaches occur, from legitimate tooth damage, to more common conditions like bruxism. Here are a few to know about, according to experts:
- Tooth Damage: A cracked tooth or tooth where the nerve is dying can be “extremely sensitive,” causing plenty of pain, Dr. Jebreil says. “The body wants to avoid the discomfort, so the muscles will position the jaw such that it is putting the least amount of pressure in this area,” she says. This can put the temporomandibular joint – which acts like a sliding hinge and connects your jawbone to your skull – out of balance. As a result, “the muscles that are overfiring will cause a lot of pain and constriction of the vessels in the area, causing a headache,” Dr. Jebreil says. “The pain alone from the toothache can cause a headache as well, but that is more of a throbbing pain coming directly from the tooth itself,” she says.
- Tooth Infection: A tooth infection can cause swelling, which may lead to pain and pressure. “The pressure that the infected area is feeling [can] definitely mimic a headache,” Dr. Jebreil says. “The tooth can also be sensitive to touch and chewing.” As a reminder, tooth infections can be deadly if they’re left untreated, Dr. Messina warns. So seeking out care from your dentist is crucial.
- Bruxism: Bruxism is a common condition in which a person grinds, clenches, or gnashes their teeth. It can happen when you’re awake or asleep, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). The condition can be caused by several different factors including stress, genetics, alcohol, caffeine, and certain medications. Common symptoms include damaged teeth, jaw pain, fatigue, and headaches. “Muscle pain from clenching and grinding of the teeth causes long-term pain in the head and neck area,” Dr. Messina says.
- A Bad Bite: A bad bite, also known as “malocclusion,” means “the teeth are improperly positioned and throwing off the bite,” Dr. Cho says. This can lead to bruxism or a feeling of pain when you chew, Dr. Messina says – and both of those can lead to a headache.
How to Treat Dental Headaches
Now that you know a few reasons for dental headaches, here’s how to treat each one (according to experts). While it’s always best to see your own dentist for personalized dental advice, this can give you an idea of where to start.
- Tooth Damage: You need to see a dentist for this, says Matthew J. Messina, DDS. “This requires a dentist to assess the situation and design a way to remove the damage and structurally replace the lost tooth structure with a filling or crown,” he says. “Providing definitive treatment in restoring the tooth to its original function will resolve the pain and eliminate the problem.”
- Tooth Infection: There’s a few things that need to happen to help a tooth infection. “The immediate emergency is often treated with antibiotics,” Dr. Messina says. Afterwards, you’ll likely need some level of dental surgery to get rid of the source of the infection, he says. That may involve extracting the tooth, a root canal, or treating a gum infection, Dr. Messina says. He also stresses the importance of not ignoring a tooth infection. “An untreated dental infection can be life-threatening,” he says.
- Bruxism: Some people find relief from bruxism by wearing a special mouthguard at night, Dr. Cho says. But it’s still usually best to see your dentist first, per Dr. Messina. “Treatment options include bite appliances that are worn to relax the muscles,” he says. “Occasionally, physical therapy or medications can be used as well in more severe cases.”
- A Bad Bite: It can be tricky to know on your own if your bite is off, and you’ll want to see a dentist for an initial evaluation. From there, they may refer you to an orthodontist about next steps, Dr. Messina says. “Ultimately, changing the bite requires moving the teeth, which is done by orthodontics that can predictably improve the bite,” he says.
When to See Your Dentist
If you’re having headaches that you suspect are caused by your teeth, it’s important to see your dentist for proper care. And if you’re struggling with a tooth infection, you’ll need to be seen and treated as soon as possible. Rest assured that talking to dentist about headaches isn’t anything to stress over – they’ve seen it all before. “Dentists are trained to evaluate the big picture and help get a person to the right professional for treatment,” Dr. Messina says. Talk to your own dentist for the best personalized medical advice.
– Additional reporting by Chandler Plante
Korin Miller is a writer specializing in general wellness, health, and lifestyle trends. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health, Self, Health, Forbes, and more.
Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for PS Health and Fitness. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her free time, she enjoys finding new ways to rock her 18(!) different eye patches, and making videos about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.
