Many headaches and migraines can be of dental origin.
Migraines affect about 10% of the British population.
It is the most common neurological condition in the developed world.
Attacks can involve far more than a headache and can be accompanied by visual disturbances, vomiting increased sensitivity to light or sound, and muscular problems.

About 15 % experience neurological disturbances known as an aura.
Lasting 15 to 60 minutes, they occur before headaches begin and manifest as blind spots, flashing lights or problems with co-ordination.

Hormonal factors are involved in triggering attacks, and twice as many women as men are affected. Migraine suffers come from all ethnic and social groups.
The condition can run in families indicating a genetic disposition towards it.

What causes it?
Trigger factors cause the release of serotonin into the bloodstream, resulting in changes in chemical transmitters and blood vessels in the brain.
Factors which can trigger attacks include stress, lack of food, bright flickering lights certain foods and dental malocclusions.

Identifying the triggers and avoiding them can lower the risk of attacks.

The dental malocclusions are of two basic categories:
1) Those related to how the teeth meet together or occlude
2) Those caused by a poor relationship between the jaws and joints.

If it is established that there is a problem then treatment can usually be carried out to either fully cure, or at least greatly reduce the severity and frequency of the condition.

Treatment can be as simple as wearing an occlusal splint (this is similar to a sports mouthguard), or it may be necessary to use crown and bridge work to re-establish a good relationship between the upper and lower teeth and jaw bones.
Your condition should be discussed with your dentist who will give advice given on what treatment is possible.

Useful Links
www.migraine.org.uk