Health Tip: When Your Mouth Makes Your Head Hurt

(HealthDay News) -- One in eight Americans suffers from headaches, according to the U.S. Army Medical Department. While diet, stress and fatigue can be leading causes, a poorly aligned bite or missing teeth can also lead to frequent headaches.

Signs that your mouth may be causing your headaches include:

• Pain behind the eyes.
• Sore jaw muscles.
• Teeth grinding.
• Clicking or popping of jaw joints.
• Head or scalp that''s painful to the touch.
• Earaches or ringing in the ears.
• Neck shoulder or back pain.
• Dizziness.

If you suffer from frequent headaches and have these symptoms, speak to your dentist. The problem may be easy to treat.

-- Felicity Stone

Last Updated: Dec. 20, 2005