Neurovascular Pains of the Mouth and Face (Headaches)
Can headache pain mimic tooth pain?
Yes, it is important to dentists and patients to know that some types of headaches might present in the mid-fade area, causing shooting or throbbing pain, which could be confusing for the patient and dentist as well. headache could mimic
What the main categorize of headaches?
Headaches are divided onto two main groups (primary and secondary)
Can you list the primary headaches?
- Migraine
- Tension-type headache
- Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
- Other primary headaches
Can you list the secondary headaches causes?
The secondary cause for headaches has a long list. The following are some of the secondary headaches.
- Injury
- Stroke
- Infection
- Tumor
- Medication
What are the available treatments?
The treatment will differ depending on the cause, type, and severity of the headache.
Head and neck muscle pain
What are the main categories of the head and neck muscle pain?
The muscle pain is divided into the following categories:
- Local muscle soreness (Myalgia)
- Spread muscle soreness (Myofascial pain) associated with a trigger point.
- Myospasm and dystonia
- Myositis (inflammation of the muscle)
What is the trigger point?
The trigger point is a hyperirritable spot within the muscle associated with pain spread to other muscles or facial parts (e.g., ear, eye, forehead)
What are the causes of muscle pain?
- Direct trauma (e.g., dental anesthesia injection, tooth extraction)
- Poor posture
- Osteoarthistis (vertebrae or TMJs)
- Clenching and grinding
- Part of a systemic condition (e.g., cardiac, fibromyalgia)
- Toothache
- Infection
What are the associated symptoms of muscle pain?
The patient might have some or all of the following symptoms:
- Joint pain
- Limited mouth opening
- Headaches
- Ear pain or hearing problems
- Changing on the occlusal bite
- Toothache secondary to muscle pain
What are the available treatments?
The treatment will differ depending on the cause. The following are some treatment options:
- Medications
- Trigger point injections
- Physical therapy
- Oral appliances
- Behavioral therapy