Does Teeth Grinding Cause Headaches?

Reviewed by  Monroe Elkin, BS PHARM., DMD

If you're suffering from regular headaches, there could be a number of causes. The most common types of headaches are tension headaches and migraine headaches. Tension headaches happen when the muscles in the head and neck tighten. Migraine headaches, on the other hand, occur when supersensitive nerve endings in the brain create pain.

One cause of tension headaches is teeth grinding, also called bruxism. This usually presents as a dull headache that starts in the temples and can spread out throughout your head. If you suffer from headaches caused by bruxism, your doctor or dentist will likely suggest that you use a custom-fit nightguard to solve the problem at the root.

The CustMbite Nightguard and the CustMbite Hard Surface Nightguard are both made to ease the pressure of nighttime so as to end painful teeth-grinding headaches. Continue reading to learn more about other causes of headaches and to learn which nightguard will work best to address your headaches due to teeth grinding.

What are some other common causes of headaches?

Tension headaches are often caused by:

• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Fatigue
• Hunger
• Caffeine withdrawal
• Weather changes
• Abrupt cessation of medications
• Food and drinks that contain chocolate
• Processed foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• Alcohol

Migraine headaches can be triggered by:

• Being around smoke
• Certain smells
• Bright light like sunlight or flashing lights
• Some foods like avocados, aged cheese, chocolate, pork, peas, bananas, nuts, sour cream, peanut butter, or yogurt
• Alcohol
• Changes in estrogen levels (for women)
• Abrupt cessation of caffeine

The best way to avoid these types of headaches is to avoid the causes of them in the first place. Unfortunately, if your headache is caused by nighttime bruxism, you can't just use your willpower to stop yourself from grinding your teeth at night. You need to use a quality nightguard that's affordable, comfortable, and customizable. That's why CustMbite developed our nightguard products.

Which nightguard should I use for teeth grinding headaches?

So does grinding teeth cause headaches? Yes, it definitely can. CustMbite created the following two nightguards so that everyone who experiences headaches from grinding teeth can choose the right product to help alleviate their bruxism and their headache pain. Read the following descriptions to see which guard would work best for you.

• CustMbite Nightguard
  For mild to moderate bruxism and headache pain, the CustMbite Nightguard is probably your best bet. This nightguard is flexible and comfortable, yet strong enough to stand up to your teeth grinding night after night. This is also the nightguard to choose if you have a child with bruxism, as it comes in both regular and petite sizes. It also comes in a variety of colors to make it fun to choose your nightguard.
• CustMbite Hard Surface Nightguard
  For moderate to severe bruxism and headache pain, the CustMbite Hard Surface Nightguard is the one you should choose. This nightguard has extra durability in the form of a patented hard surface that prevents your teeth from intense grinding or hard clenching during sleep. If you've chewed through a standard nightguard in a short amount of time, this is the nightguard for you.

Whether you choose the CustMbite Nightguard or the CustMbite Hard Surface Nightguard, you will be able to customize it to your specific bite for a comfortable fit that won't slip off your teeth during the night. This is important because if it's not comfortable and you don't wear it or if it falls off your teeth at night, it's not doing you any good at all.

Both nightguards are made of our patented Vistamaxx material, which does not absorb water, saliva, or bacteria. They are easy to clean using our All Natural Oral Appliance Cleaner. All you have to do is spray the cleaner on, wipe with a cloth, rinse, and put the guard back in its handy case so it's ready to use the next time you go to bed.

Where can I get the best nightguard to prevent headaches?

CustMbite nightguards have been evaluated and cleared by the FDA and are made entirely in the United States for safety and quality. Order the best nightguard to match your needs online today and say goodbye to headache pain caused by bruxism.