Toothache, Headache & Migraine Relief in the Chicago Loop

How do you treat headache pain?

Traditional therapy is to treat the symptom by making you a nightguard. Sometimes that is the answer to get you out of acute pain, but our goal is to find the cause of your grinding and stop it so you do not need a nightguard.

Our goal is to help you become aware of when the clenching occurs. If it happens during the daytime, bring it to your attention and relax the muscles consciously. Breathing techniques will help with this. If you clench at night, quiet your mind before sleep. Maybe hold a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe. Everyone’s pain relief is different — try alternating hot and cold every 10 minutes.

More tips for reducing headache pain and jaw clenching:

1. Reduce sources of stress.
2. Make time for relaxing activities, such as taking a hot bath, reading, meditating, or stretching.
3. Improve your posture to avoid tensing your muscles.
4. Get enough sleep.
5. Treat sore muscles with ice or heat.

Nutritional supplements and a balanced diet can also combat stress and in turn, reduce bruxism. Consider:

• Magnesium – Low levels of magnesium are linked to stress and poor nerve/muscle health. Found in dark chocolate, bananas, and yogurt.
• Vitamin C – Stress reduces your body’s vitamin C stores. Found in many fruits and fruit juices as well as dark leafy vegetables.
• Vitamin B – Helps to regulate mood and serotonin/norepinephrine Found in leafy greens, milk, eggs, and legumes.
• Theanine – Improves sleep and aids relaxation by reducing stress and anxiety. Found in green tea.
• Valerian – A natural root shown to relieve insomnia and improve sleep quality. Available as an over-the-counter supplement.