Campbell, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Saratoga, Ca

If you experience chronic headaches and jaw pain, check your posture! Take a minute to evaluate how you are sitting while reading this article. Like many others, you are probably slouched over in your chair, straining your head forward. Although this posture may seem comfortable, it is probably to blame for your constant headaches and jaw pain.

When you sit slouched or hunched over, your lower jaw jets forward, which means your teeth do not come together properly and your head does not properly align with your spine. Poor posture essentially puts stress on the jaw, which over time results in headaches, neck, and back pain.

The muscles, bones, and joints become irritated with this constant poor posture. Inflammation will begin to occur in the jaw joints, which results in the trigeminal nerve becoming stressed, and pain begins to radiate to the head. You may not realize it, but good posture is important for your health.

If you are treating your headaches with medication and continue experiencing pain, consider a consultation with the dentist. Finding ways to strengthen your body’s core muscles will help maintain better posture, but a mouth guard can also help protect your teeth and jaw.

A mouth guard can help hold your lower jaw into proper alignment, which means no more stress on the jaw joint, muscles, and nerves. When this optimal bite is achieved, pain should subside, meaning no more pain medication to treat your headaches! These customized mouth guards can also be adjusted to fit your specific needs, as well as protect your teeth from damage that may occur from maintaining a poor bite.

If you are ready to eliminate your facial, head, or neck pain, contact the office of Dr. Lippi at (408) 354-5535 to schedule a consultation.

Paul Lippi, DDS, is proud to serve the oral health needs of patients living and working in Los Gatos, California, and the surrounding areas.