If you suffer from frequent headaches, you’re not alone. For many people, headaches are a common yet frustrating problem that can disrupt daily life. While headaches have many causes—from stress and dehydration to eye strain and sinus issues—there’s one less obvious culprit that often goes overlooked: your bite.

Your bite, or how your teeth come together when you close your mouth, plays a crucial role in your overall oral and facial health. When your bite is misaligned, it can cause strain on your jaw muscles, joints, and even your nervous system. This strain can sometimes manifest as chronic headaches, migraines, or facial pain.

In this article, we’ll explore the connection between headaches and your bite, explain how orthodontics can help, and why surgical orthodontics at Valley Smiles Orthodontics in San Gabriel, CA might be the solution you need.

What Is a Bite and Why Does It Matter?

Your bite refers to the way your upper and lower teeth fit together when you close your mouth. Ideally, your teeth should align in a way that distributes chewing forces evenly. When the bite is off—whether due to crooked teeth, an overbite, underbite, or crossbite—uneven pressure is placed on certain teeth and jaw muscles.

This misalignment can cause your jaw joints (called the temporomandibular joints, or TMJs) and muscles to work harder to bring your teeth together properly. Over time, this extra strain can lead to TMJ disorders, muscle tension, and inflammation, all of which can trigger headaches.

How a Misaligned Bite Causes Headaches

1. Muscle Tension: When your jaw muscles are forced to compensate for an uneven bite, they become tense and fatigued. Just like any other muscle in your body, overworked jaw muscles can ache and cause referred pain, including tension headaches.
2. TMJ Stress: The temporomandibular joints are complex hinges connecting your jawbone to your skull. When your bite is misaligned, these joints can experience abnormal stress and inflammation, leading to jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches.
3. Nerve Irritation: The nerves around your jaw and face can become irritated due to muscle tension and joint issues. This irritation can send pain signals that your brain perceives as headaches or migraines.
4. Clenching and Grinding: Many people with bite problems unknowingly clench or grind their teeth, especially at night. This habit, called bruxism, puts additional pressure on your jaw muscles and joints, increasing headache frequency and intensity.

Signs Your Headaches Might Be Bite-Related

If you experience frequent headaches and suspect your bite could be to blame, look for these accompanying symptoms:

• Jaw pain or soreness, especially near the temples or in front of the ears
• Clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw joint
• Difficulty or discomfort when chewing or opening your mouth wide
• Tooth wear or sensitivity from grinding
• Facial muscle stiffness or tenderness
• Headaches that worsen with jaw movement or clenching

If you notice these symptoms alongside your headaches, it’s worth exploring whether your bite is contributing to your pain.

How Orthodontics Can Help Relieve Headaches

Orthodontic treatment can improve the alignment of your teeth and jaws, reducing the strain that causes muscle tension and TMJ problems. By correcting your bite, orthodontics can:

• Distribute chewing forces evenly to reduce muscle overuse
• Improve jaw joint function and reduce inflammation
• Prevent or lessen teeth grinding and clenching habits
• Alleviate nerve irritation linked to misaligned teeth

For many patients, these changes lead to a significant reduction in headache frequency and severity.

When Surgical Orthodontics Is Needed

In some cases, traditional braces or clear aligners alone may not fully correct bite problems—especially if the issue involves the position or structure of the jawbone itself. This is where surgical orthodontics comes into play.

Surgical orthodontics combines orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) to reposition misaligned jaws. This approach can dramatically improve bite function, facial symmetry, and overall oral health.

At Valley Smiles Orthodontics in San Gabriel, CA, surgical orthodontics is offered as a comprehensive solution for patients whose headaches and TMJ issues are caused by skeletal bite problems. By addressing the root cause, this treatment can provide long-lasting relief from headache pain and improve quality of life.

What to Expect from Surgical Orthodontics

The process typically involves three phases:

1. Pre-Surgical Orthodontics: Braces or aligners are used to align your teeth in preparation for jaw surgery.
2. Surgery: An oral and maxillofacial surgeon repositions your jaw bones to correct the bite.
3. Post-Surgical Orthodontics: Final orthodontic adjustments are made to perfect your bite and smile.

Though surgical orthodontics requires a commitment of time and care, many patients find the results life-changing—both in terms of function and appearance.

When Should You See a Specialist?

If you struggle with chronic headaches, jaw pain, or other bite-related symptoms, it’s important to consult an experienced orthodontist who can evaluate your bite and determine the best course of treatment.

Valley Smiles Orthodontics in San Gabriel, CA, specializes in a full range of orthodontic services, including surgical orthodontics for complex bite issues. Their expert team offers personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs.

By addressing the root cause of your headaches, they can help you achieve not only a healthier smile but also a pain-free life.

Take the Next Step Toward Relief

Don’t let unexplained headaches control your daily routine. If you suspect your bite may be contributing to your pain, reach out to Valley Smiles Orthodontics in San Gabriel, CA. Their compassionate team is ready to provide a thorough evaluation and recommend the best treatment for your smile and well-being.

Whether you need traditional orthodontics or surgical orthodontics, you can trust their expertise and care to guide you every step of the way.

To schedule a consultation or learn more about how your bite could be causing headaches, contact Valley Smiles Orthodontics today.