Can grinding/clenching your teeth cause bad headaches?

Question

Last time I was at the dentist (about 6 weeks ago) he said that I clench and grind my teeth a lot. I've started a new job in the past 3 weeks which is very stressful, and I've been waking up sometimes in the middle of the night, sometimes in the morning with really bad headaches and my whole face seems to hurt.

Is it possible that the increased stress of the new job is causing me to grind my teeth more at night, which is causing the headaches? If so, what should I do about it? Although my dentist mentioned that I clench/grind my teeth, he didn't give me any advice on stopping it.

Answer 1

Stress can cause people to grind their teeth more. Clenching your jaw for long periods of time will make the muscles in your face hurt. It might be causing your headaches, but the stress can also give you headaches. There are over the counter remedies for nighttime grinding. They're generally sold in drugstores around the toothpaste and other things for your mouth. They're little pieces of plastic that you mold to your mouth and you use them at night. Also, try some relaxing techniques before you go to bed so you aren't so stressed. Drinking some herbal tea, listening to your favorite music, or doing yoga or breathing exercises should help you unwind, making you less stressed and less likely to grind your teeth.

Answer 2

Oh yeah, grinding and clenching your teeth can cause really bad headaches. Also they can bring on TMJ.
I didn't even know I was grinding my teeth until I broke a tooth and had to get my very first crown.
The dangers of grinding your teeth are: wearing away the enamal on your teeth and breaking your teeth. Also, you can develop TMJ which is a joint problem within your jaw.
My doctor ordered a nightguard to wear while I sleep. She took a mold of my teeth and the guard was created. It is bulky and awkward to wear, but I have gotten used to it.
I'm not sure why your dentist did not recommend this?
Stress is one of the key factors in grinding and clenching.
The stress in your job could certainly be contributing to this. I would try any and all ways to unwind when you get home. Take a warm bath, practice deep breath relaxation (CD's are available at most bookstores), meditation.
You need to relax. Your teeth are not the only thing that can suffer from excess stress---you can also develop high blood pressure.
Is there anyway that you can make the situation at work less stressful, or is it just a matter of time?
Good Luck and RELAX..

Answer 3

Yes, it can give you headaches. I am an ex-dental nurse but I grind my teeth as well! Mine started last year when my Mum was ill, so any stress will definitely be a contributing factor. If you only grind them at night, you can ask your dentist to arrange to have a night guard made for you. They will take an impression of your teeth and send it off to have a small device made for you to wear at night while you sleep so that your teeth don't meet and you can't grind them. If you find you are clenching or grinding during the day, just try to be aware of when you are doing it; this is how I reduce clenching my teeth during the day. As often as I could, I would think about if I was doing it, and whenever I was I would stop. Good luck, as soon as you settle into your job you should notice an improvement.

Answer 4

Yes, the increased stress can be causing you to clench and grind more resulting in facial muscle spasms, headaches and pain. You could try a "boil & bite" mouthguard available at most drug store chains. Ask the pharmacist if you don't see them in the dental area. It won't stop the behavior but will protect your teeth and may help with the muscle spasms. Taking ibuprofen or Aleve will help some. Call your dentist and ask for a custom appliance for your problem.

Answer 5

Yes it does.
Most people do it as a habit,,sum people do it when they are in pain,,(U see this alot with chronic pain suffers),,i
when u grind ur teeth it can lead to T.M.J.
this is a condition dentist can help u over come.Tmj,or tmd,,they changed its medical name,,can cause jaw pain,headaches and make eyes seem sensitive to light..
Grinding teeth for a long period can cause ur teeth to wear down and cause tmj,,thats when ur jaw bone cushion,,is wore down or out of line,in some cases to fix the problem ur teeth may have to be pulled and replaced with a plate to help adjust ur jaw so it wount cause pressure and make headaches,jaw pain even dizzy spells can be a result of it..
More or less if u feel u need help contact a local dentist who knows about tmj.Maybe ask if they can give u a mouth piece for the grinding,,they claim a good mouth piece can help u stop,,oh,and chewing gum isnt a safe alternative..i ask my dentist,he stated it can cause headaches and lead to tmj.

Answer 6

^Yes this can be caused by stress and it can cause headaches as well, your dentist can make you a mouth guard. I'm surprised he or she didn't mention it, from what I've read it might take time to get used to but it's better than grinding. I found the two sites below, so you can be more informed on your problem. Good luck, I hope this helps.

Answer 7

Yes you are absolutely right, there is a definite correlation between grinding, clenching and some headches. You have already arrived at the diagnosis.
The treatment :
-hot packs over the TMJ
-massage the muscles around your TMJ
these two help in milder cases.
-Night splints- Preferably something low profile like Sussex splints made of Essix 0.4 material as you can wear the upper or lower one during the day and both at night and during severe episodes wear both during the day as well. This helps to open up the joint and taking the pressure off of it. Allowing it to heal. The last option is anti-anxiety medication.
Good Luck

Answer 8

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Answer 9

In additional to some good suggestions about mouthpieces and relaxation techniques, you should, depending on the type of stress, seek some sort of stress therapy. Are you being bullied, or is the stress the result of deadlines, etc.? The answer to this question depends on what relaxation method you should use.

As a temporary anti-stresser, you could use an infusion of lavender essential oil (pure). Go to a chemist or a health food shop to buy the oil and infusers. This will put you in a deep sleep. Try not to do it every night for a long period of time, or its efficacy will wane as you get accustomed to it.

Answer 10

Grinding/clenching does cause headaches, it happens to me all the time, I'm sure the stress from your job can be the cause, i cant really tell you how to solve the stress but until you can figure that out try a mouth guard http://www.dentalconcepts.com/html/nightguard.html