San Francisco Headaches

In San Francisco, if you head to the doctor with a complaint of frequent headaches, you may well be sent home and advised to consult your dentist. Barring pain that stems from more serious conditions, many headaches are due to dental problems. When they affect the teeth and jaw, you can be sure that the rest of the head is not far behind.

A Different Treatment Approach

If you suffer from chronic headaches, you know that they can be positively crazy making. There are multiple billion-dollar industries devoted to the treatment of headaches, and they promote a range of interventions including aspirin, painkillers, suppositories, and more. From periodic tension headaches to blinding migraine attacks, Americans are all too familiar with this form of ailment.

Sometimes, however, the answer is much more simple. When a doctor has ruled out other medical conditions, he or she will often send patients to their dentists for guidance with headaches. This is because poor alignment of the teeth and problems with the jaw and jaw joint can produce a number of painful symptoms, including chronic headaches. Indeed, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been implicated in many chronic pain conditions.

By taking x-rays and conducting a musculo-skeletal analysis of the jaw and skull, dentists can often pinpoint an area of distress. They can then work with patients to determine the best course of treatment. In some cases, this involves simple exercises that the patient can do to relax the jaw and its supporting musculature. In other cases, it involves medication or surgical intervention. There are myriad treatment options and a skilled dentist can help you to make the decision that is right for you.