Many people who have painful headaches are often unaware that what they are experiencing is actually a migraine. In honor of National Migraine Awareness Month, Dr. Gilly Calcagno and our team at Calcagno Cosmetic & Family Dentistry discuss migraine symptoms and how migraines may indicate the presence of an oral condition known as TMJ disorder.
Migraine Facts
Migraines are characterized by debilitating headaches that can cause nausea, light sensitivity, and severe pain. These types of headaches typically affect women more often than men and their root cause is unknown. Migraines may be triggered by a number of factors including stress, hormonal fluctuations, and even TMJ disorder.
Migraine Symptoms
- A headache that affects vision, migraine sufferers typically view an aura right before their migraine begins.
- Migraines may last anywhere from a few hours to three days.
- These headaches normally produce pain on one side of the head.
- Migraine sufferers typically describe their pain as throbbing.
- Intensity of migraine pain and frequency of migraine headaches varies from patient to patient.
Migraines and Your Oral Health
Many people are surprised to learn how migraines can affect your oral health. Migraine sufferers commonly develop bruxism—a habit of grinding and clenching their teeth because of pain. Over time, this habit weakens teeth and may lead to cracks and tooth fractures. Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth may also lead to TMJ disorder. Like bruxism, TMJ dysfunction may lead to tooth wear and fracture. Our team at Calcagno Cosmetic & Family Dentistry urges patients to visit our Rochester dentist office for routine oral examinations. During dental checkups, Dr. Calcagno will look for signs of tooth wear and may ask if you have frequent headaches and other symptoms associated with TMJ disorder. Fortunately, Dr. Calcagno can restore worn down teeth with beautiful CEREC crowns and other white restorations such as fillings and onlays.
To schedule an appointment at our Rochester dentist office, contact Calcagno Cosmetic & Family Dentistry at (507) 281-3659. We serve patients from Red Wing, Farmington, Winona, St. Charles, and the neighboring communities.
