Just a quick question. Have any of you experienced headaches or neck pain since being braced?
Stacey
Headaches w/ Braces
Moderator: bbsadmin
Headaches w/ Braces
Hi all,
Just a quick question. Have any of you experienced headaches or neck pain since being braced?
Stacey
Just a quick question. Have any of you experienced headaches or neck pain since being braced?
Stacey
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retainerjoe
- Posts: 293
- Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:38 am
- Location: nashville tenn
- Contact:
only after adjustments for a few days
http://community.webshots.com/user/head ... =community this link also has my video of me getting my braces
Just kicked in this Wednesday. Had a major tune up the Friday before, power chains all round except the front two, some massive twisted or braided looking wire put in, felt the whole thing immediately after being told "you're done". All felt well through Tuesday, solid constant pressure, each day and night and noticeable change in bite each time. Tuesday night even more noticeable bite change (like one tooth in the way thing), woke up Wednesday morning, wow, from left temple through jar joint all the way down the neck, bruised or stiff, even swallowing, bruised or stiff, (more stiff) with accompanying headaches. Bite felt like it had shifted to some max position since the day before, slowly through Thursday shifting over or past that max position, and yesterday (Friday) bite better, stiffness slowly going along with the headaches. Remarkable, even the balance of the teeth look massively improved. All after more than 6 adjustments already, which none felt anything as powerful as this. All previous have been run of the mill including some power chains, general teeth sensitivity after the adjustment etc. Whatever was done this last one works, I need to find out what exactly the wire was that was used, pretty powerful. All is well. Was a bit surprised and thought something else was wrong, They always tell you you'll feel this adjust more than the last one. 
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purpleteeth
- Posts: 448
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:45 pm
- Location: Texas
- Contact:
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JustAskJulie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:37 pm
- Location: Huntsville, AL
I've had my braces on for 6 weeks now and I haven't had a day without a headache yet. Actually, the headaches (migraines) started when the spacers were in and I thought once I got the braces on and got adjusted to them they'd go away. They haven't. Nothing helps. I've been through a month of physical therapy for the headaches with no relief. When I mention it to the Ortho he just blows it off. My regular dr is the one who sent me through physical therapy and has also put me on a week of prednisone (anti-inflamitory) which helped while I was on it. I've been seeing the chiropractor almost every day and even he's having no luck getting me relief. Both my dr and chiro agree that it would be caused by the pressure from the braces (I only have the top ones on at this point), but I get the blow off from the ortho.
I am very close to giving up on the braces, I can't work, I do good to get through 2 hours of a day without ending up on the couch with my head & neck hurting too bad to do anything else. I go for an MRI on Monday to see if we can locate another cause for the pain. I've been digging online for weeks trying to find some sort of help but can't really seem to find much from people who have dealt with this. It seems like most experiences are sunshine and roses.
I am very close to giving up on the braces, I can't work, I do good to get through 2 hours of a day without ending up on the couch with my head & neck hurting too bad to do anything else. I go for an MRI on Monday to see if we can locate another cause for the pain. I've been digging online for weeks trying to find some sort of help but can't really seem to find much from people who have dealt with this. It seems like most experiences are sunshine and roses.
oh gosh... that sucks Julie... i sure hope I'm not headed on that path too! I have had constant headaches since getting my spacers in (although not migraine status, yet) and now they are getting worse and more frequent with my pendulum in... I'm about 7 weeks away from getting full braces on... I'll be interested to see what happens with your headaches... and mine! I notice I mainly have them after I eat. Pretty much eating Advil like candy everyday... that can't be good for me 
Good luck.
Good luck.
JustAskJulie,
I totally feel your pain (literally!) when it comes to the migraines. I have suffered from migraines since I was 6 years old. No amount of OTC medicine can make them better.
One of the main reasons I got braces was to help prevent my headaches because my bite was off, and I was clenching my jaw. However, when my impacted canine was being pulled down, it came in so quickly that it brought on awful migraines with blackouts, and I ended up in the hospital (I had to do the MRI thing too)--It was no bueno!!
Have you had migraines before braces? Are you on any medication for them? My neurologist put me on Topomax everyday to prevent them--it has been a lifesaver! I still get them occasionally, especially when my teeth really move, but I'm not getting them 3-4 times a week like I had been. I also take Maxalt when I get a migraine. I take the fast-dissolving tabs that you put under your tongue. They tend to work very quickly. Both meds are expensive, but they are both worth more than missing weeks' worth of work.
I hope things get better for you--you're definitely not alone. Hang in there!
I totally feel your pain (literally!) when it comes to the migraines. I have suffered from migraines since I was 6 years old. No amount of OTC medicine can make them better.
One of the main reasons I got braces was to help prevent my headaches because my bite was off, and I was clenching my jaw. However, when my impacted canine was being pulled down, it came in so quickly that it brought on awful migraines with blackouts, and I ended up in the hospital (I had to do the MRI thing too)--It was no bueno!!
Have you had migraines before braces? Are you on any medication for them? My neurologist put me on Topomax everyday to prevent them--it has been a lifesaver! I still get them occasionally, especially when my teeth really move, but I'm not getting them 3-4 times a week like I had been. I also take Maxalt when I get a migraine. I take the fast-dissolving tabs that you put under your tongue. They tend to work very quickly. Both meds are expensive, but they are both worth more than missing weeks' worth of work.
I hope things get better for you--you're definitely not alone. Hang in there!
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purpleteeth
- Posts: 448
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:45 pm
- Location: Texas
- Contact:
My overall headaches have gone down since getting braces, but when my TMJ acts up... meaning the braces/ bite/ jaw are all out of alignment --- my head kills me... or when I just get a routine adjustment I get mild headaches. Usually a headache is a sign something is wrong for me, so I end up scheduling an appointment if it doesn't seem to go away.
I have had migraines for at least 10yrs and the braces reduced the migraines I was having at least 5times a week to maybe a couple a month, but I know when they are teeth related now --- and I get my behind back in the office to have them fix it. I will literally go a week with a migraine sometimes before they can get in and tweek something, which makes the pain go away almost immediately.
However, it is important to note that there is an absolute difference between regular headaches with braces and migraines related to TMJ and other types of headaches. Braces just plain hurt, especially in the beginning. I had braces headaches on and off for weeks, but they were nothing that couldn't be handled... Migraine strength would land me in the office and the office knew this and has been VERY WONDERFUL about helping!
If headaches aren't normal, talk to your ortho and dentist or even regular doctor. This could be a sign something is really wrong.
I have had migraines for at least 10yrs and the braces reduced the migraines I was having at least 5times a week to maybe a couple a month, but I know when they are teeth related now --- and I get my behind back in the office to have them fix it. I will literally go a week with a migraine sometimes before they can get in and tweek something, which makes the pain go away almost immediately.
However, it is important to note that there is an absolute difference between regular headaches with braces and migraines related to TMJ and other types of headaches. Braces just plain hurt, especially in the beginning. I had braces headaches on and off for weeks, but they were nothing that couldn't be handled... Migraine strength would land me in the office and the office knew this and has been VERY WONDERFUL about helping!
If headaches aren't normal, talk to your ortho and dentist or even regular doctor. This could be a sign something is really wrong.
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Miss Smiley
- Posts: 2008
- Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 11:59 pm
- Location: Sunny SoCal
- Contact:
My headaches and jaw pain seem to come and visit when I clench or unconsciously grind my teeth adjusting to my changing bite.
Upper and lower 1st premolars extracted
Uppers braced 4/6/07 & Lowers braced 4/20/07
ceramic brackets and rectangular arch wires
Est. term: 30-36 months
De-banded: 3/04/09 w/ LBR and U&L Essix
Uppers braced 4/6/07 & Lowers braced 4/20/07
ceramic brackets and rectangular arch wires
Est. term: 30-36 months
De-banded: 3/04/09 w/ LBR and U&L Essix
Had some slight headache in the first days of Damon too. Wasn't such a big deal, but it wasn't to nice either. I solved it with a painkiller. One pill only and then I didn't need any "help" anymore.
Orthodontics patient from 2007 to 2010.
Orthodontic Braces
Orthodontic Braces
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mssweeteypie
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:47 pm
- Location: San Diego
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JustAskJulie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:37 pm
- Location: Huntsville, AL
An Update
Re: Migraine Prevention Meds.... I tried Topomax several years ago when I was having recurring migraines (which I later found out were caused by another med I was on). There's a reason they call it Stupimax.... it screws with your head and makes you dumb. The feeling of having the word you want on the tip of your tongue becomes the norm. My brother was on it much longer than I was (migraines run in our family) and he's been off it for a year now but still shows those signs.
Anyway, to my situation. Prior to the braces I had maybe 2-3 migraines a month (sometime less, but rarely more). When the spacers were in I had a migraine for 4 days straight. Once the braces went on I had headaches pretty much daily... initially it was hard to tell whether it was headaches or just my teeth hurting because they were moving so much so I played them off for the first few weeks. However, when month two started and they just got worse and worse.... it was another story. When I went for my first adjustment the ortho said that it was normal more or less and blew it off.
In the meantime I've been having everything else checked trying to figure out a cause. I've been at the chiropractors pretty much every day that he's open.
The last week or so the chiro has started addressing my TMJ area (I've never had TMJ issues previously) with ultrasound and yesterday when he checked the area it was sore to the touch, so he also tried tens therapy along with the ultrasound.
Today I went back to the ortho for my 2 month check/tightening. I expected to have to get aggressive with him regarding the headaches but he surprised me. When I told him I was still having daily headaches he said that that was not good and was most likely caused by clenching/grinding at night and that there was really no way to stop me from doing that. That this was an issue in some extreme cases especially with adults. I'm a 1%er, if there's something that happens in extreme cases it will probably happen to me. We discussed further treatment and he basically told me that the only option was to remove the braces. Further treatment would require teeth being pulled and then the extra force to move the remaining teeth would just worsen my problem.
When I came home I researched TMJ problems and the pain /issues I've had directly match the symptoms of TMJ issues....
Anyway, to my situation. Prior to the braces I had maybe 2-3 migraines a month (sometime less, but rarely more). When the spacers were in I had a migraine for 4 days straight. Once the braces went on I had headaches pretty much daily... initially it was hard to tell whether it was headaches or just my teeth hurting because they were moving so much so I played them off for the first few weeks. However, when month two started and they just got worse and worse.... it was another story. When I went for my first adjustment the ortho said that it was normal more or less and blew it off.
In the meantime I've been having everything else checked trying to figure out a cause. I've been at the chiropractors pretty much every day that he's open.
The last week or so the chiro has started addressing my TMJ area (I've never had TMJ issues previously) with ultrasound and yesterday when he checked the area it was sore to the touch, so he also tried tens therapy along with the ultrasound.
Today I went back to the ortho for my 2 month check/tightening. I expected to have to get aggressive with him regarding the headaches but he surprised me. When I told him I was still having daily headaches he said that that was not good and was most likely caused by clenching/grinding at night and that there was really no way to stop me from doing that. That this was an issue in some extreme cases especially with adults. I'm a 1%er, if there's something that happens in extreme cases it will probably happen to me. We discussed further treatment and he basically told me that the only option was to remove the braces. Further treatment would require teeth being pulled and then the extra force to move the remaining teeth would just worsen my problem.
When I came home I researched TMJ problems and the pain /issues I've had directly match the symptoms of TMJ issues....
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purpleteeth
- Posts: 448
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:45 pm
- Location: Texas
- Contact:
JustAskJulie --- Braces can help TMJ or make it worse. I know I signed a medical release when I started braces explaining how my jaw pain could literally get worse... which was freaky... but without braces, my jaw pain wouldn't be getting any better because I have TMJ.
My TMJ has gotten better and then gotten worse and then gotten better with braces. I have headaches quite often, but not nearly as bad as I did before braces. I had double vision with migraines everyday for over 6months before I got braces, which was following an extraction of a molar. Braces reduced the double vision significantly, but I still have headaches... just not as bad...
When I get a severe migraine related to my braces, I go in for an SOS appointment so they can adjust something. There is no reason for me to suffer with a migraine that I know is related to my bite and or braces. They get me in ASAP to see if they can do anything, which can range from adding something to removing something to rearranging my elastics. Sometimes they just check me and tell me to wait another week, take some meds, and if it doesn't go away in a week - come back and we'll see if things have moved enough to do something else to help the pain.
My teeth are very sensitive now that I have braces. When I get my teeth cleaned, I also have sensitivity to minor pressure. My hygenist was telling me this sensitivity to touch was not normal and to bring it up next week with my ortho.
My headaches have been SEVERE (migraines have come and gone) for about the last 3 weeks, so I know what you are going through. I was scheduled to be seen 2 weeks ago, but landed in the ER due to something else and had to cancel the appointment. I didn't bother to reschedule, as the issue related to the ER has been my main priority, and just kept my regular appointment for the 3 weeks out... I have just tried to adapt to the pain and environmentally change things so the pain is less, such as talking much less... hehe... and being more careful with what I eat, etc.
TMJ can cause braces to be on for a longer period of time, from what I have been told. How is your ortho addressing your TMJ issues with your braces? TMJ with braces can be hard, but your ortho should be addressing this issue with you specifically and in detail. My ortho had my TMJ pain intially gone within days of braces and it has come and gone ever since, which I was told would be normal as my bite continues to adjust.
My TMJ has gotten better and then gotten worse and then gotten better with braces. I have headaches quite often, but not nearly as bad as I did before braces. I had double vision with migraines everyday for over 6months before I got braces, which was following an extraction of a molar. Braces reduced the double vision significantly, but I still have headaches... just not as bad...
When I get a severe migraine related to my braces, I go in for an SOS appointment so they can adjust something. There is no reason for me to suffer with a migraine that I know is related to my bite and or braces. They get me in ASAP to see if they can do anything, which can range from adding something to removing something to rearranging my elastics. Sometimes they just check me and tell me to wait another week, take some meds, and if it doesn't go away in a week - come back and we'll see if things have moved enough to do something else to help the pain.
My teeth are very sensitive now that I have braces. When I get my teeth cleaned, I also have sensitivity to minor pressure. My hygenist was telling me this sensitivity to touch was not normal and to bring it up next week with my ortho.
My headaches have been SEVERE (migraines have come and gone) for about the last 3 weeks, so I know what you are going through. I was scheduled to be seen 2 weeks ago, but landed in the ER due to something else and had to cancel the appointment. I didn't bother to reschedule, as the issue related to the ER has been my main priority, and just kept my regular appointment for the 3 weeks out... I have just tried to adapt to the pain and environmentally change things so the pain is less, such as talking much less... hehe... and being more careful with what I eat, etc.
TMJ can cause braces to be on for a longer period of time, from what I have been told. How is your ortho addressing your TMJ issues with your braces? TMJ with braces can be hard, but your ortho should be addressing this issue with you specifically and in detail. My ortho had my TMJ pain intially gone within days of braces and it has come and gone ever since, which I was told would be normal as my bite continues to adjust.
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Oh, how I understand your frustration of NOT KNOWING what is causing pain or discomfort!
Something that might help: a lot of TMJ pain or pain with braces is Myofascial. I get lot of knots on my shoulders, neck, jaws which are called trigger points. They refer pain to other areas and can cause headaches. This book I purchased from Amazon has really helped me to massage my own trigger points to gain relief:
http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-The ... 996&sr=8-1
This site has some helpful links to it:
http://www.archwired.com/TOW_extractions.htm
You might want to think twice before having your ortho do an extraction. Your headaches sound pretty bad so perhaps a second opinion might be in order?
Hope that helps!!!
Something that might help: a lot of TMJ pain or pain with braces is Myofascial. I get lot of knots on my shoulders, neck, jaws which are called trigger points. They refer pain to other areas and can cause headaches. This book I purchased from Amazon has really helped me to massage my own trigger points to gain relief:
http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-The ... 996&sr=8-1
This site has some helpful links to it:
http://www.archwired.com/TOW_extractions.htm
You might want to think twice before having your ortho do an extraction. Your headaches sound pretty bad so perhaps a second opinion might be in order?
Hope that helps!!!