There are so many things that can cause headaches sometimes it can be hard to pin down an exact diagnosis - from tension to illness to anxiety or stress. But sometimes bite misalignment can lead to headaches too. Dr. Peter, a pediatric dentist at VK Pediatric Dentistry in Arlington, Virginia weighs in on bite discrepancies in children and how they may be causing headaches.
A term you'll hear often at our pediatric dental office in Arlington, VA is occlusion. This is the way your child's top and bottom teeth fit together, creating their bite. Each tooth in the mouth has perfectly formed anatomy so that it fits with it's corresponding opposite tooth. Bite malocclusion occurs when the teeth don't line up properly and the body needs to compensate for this. Some examples include crossbite, underbite, overbite, and open bite. Unfortunately, poor alignment can lead to problems including headaches.
The Main Problem
Our bodies are incredibly complex and designed to work in harmony. The entire system of chewing from our teeth, jaws, muscles and nerves work together to allow us to eat. However, bite misalignment can create a discrepancy in this system and cause one or more parts to try to overcompensate. This can cause stresses in the joints that are near the front of the ears (called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ). Chronic headaches are a very common cause of anyone suffering from a TMJ issue and bite misalignment can be a contributing factor.
Treating Kids With Bite Misalignment
Our expert staff is trained to evaluate and diagnose bite misalignment at every routine recall appointment. Dr. Peter may recommend oral appliances or orthodontic treatment to try to bring the bite back into alignment to achieve harmony. Sometimes, braces may be needed or oral surgery to remove teeth from an overly crowded smile.
Call Us
At your appointment, we will investigate and examine the source of your child's headaches and give specialized recommendations to prevent them in the future.
VK Pediatric Dentistry
5001 Langston Blvd, Arlington VA 22207
Schedule An Appointment Today in Arlington, Virginia at VK Pediatric Dentistry
If you haven't taken your child to a pediatric dentist yet or would like to schedule an appointment, Dr. Peter and the highly skilled team at VK Pediatric Dentistry are just a phone call away. Schedule an appointment online or call us today at 703-962-7814. We look forward to providing your children a lifetime of healthy and happy smiles!
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