Can Dental Work Cause Headaches?
June 6, 2024 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Yes, dental work can cause headaches. There are several reasons why this might happen:
- Stress and Anxiety: Dental procedures can be stressful and anxiety-inducing for many people. This stress can lead to tension headaches.
- Jaw Strain: During dental procedures, patients often need to keep their mouths open for extended periods. This can strain the muscles in the jaw (temporomandibular joint or TMJ) and lead to tension headaches.
- Postural Issues: The positioning during dental work, both of the patient and the dentist, can sometimes lead to neck and head strain, contributing to headaches.
- Procedural Trauma: Certain procedures, especially more invasive ones like tooth extractions, root canals, or the placement of dental implants, can cause inflammation and pain that might radiate to the head, resulting in a headache.
- Anesthetic Reactions: Some patients may experience headaches as a reaction to local anesthetics used during dental procedures.
- Infections: Though rare, if an infection develops after dental work, it can lead to systemic symptoms, including headaches.
If you experience persistent or severe headaches after dental work, it’s important to contact your dentist. They can determine if the headaches are related to the dental procedure and provide appropriate recommendations or treatments to alleviate the discomfort.