If you have ever suffered from a migraine, you know how unbearable they can be. Migraines can be so painful that you are down for the count for multiple days, which can definitely interrupt your daily schedules. At Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia we want to help you remain pain free every day. To help you avoid painful migraines, let’s take a look at migraine triggers you need to avoid.

Watch Out for Loud Noises and Bright Lights

One of the main causes of migraines tends to be loud noises and bright lights. By knowing this, you may decide to avoid both of these factors. Loud noises, flashing lights, and sensory stimulation are common triggers for migraine headaches. These stimuli might be difficult to avoid, but things like driving at night, movie theaters, clubs and crowded venues, and glare from the sun are common environments that may cause migraines. Try to take breaks from the TV or computer screen to rest your eyes, and adjust the brightness levels on these screens.

Check Your Bite

Another main cause of migraines can be your bite. When you have a misaligned jaw, it can cause pressure and strain on your jaw and head, causing migraines. By visiting your dentist you an determine if it is indeed your bite that is causing your pain. A common oral disorder that can cause migraines and jaw pain is called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which can be treated with the use of an oral appliance.

Write it Down in a Migraine Log

Sometimes the best thing you can do to get to the bottom of your migraines is to keep a log of each occurrence. Your best option is to document each time you experience a migraine so that you can properly identify the cause. By taking your migraine log into our office, we can take all factors into account to determine what is causing your migraines and if they are related to your oral health.

When creating and maintaining your migraine log, consider the following:

  • When did your headache begin?
  • How long did the headache last?
  • How often do you get migraines/headaches?
  • Do they occur at the same time every day? If so, when?
  • Is the pain on only one side of your head or all over?

Also, it is important to ask yourself, “Have you been to exposed to known headache triggers that could be linked to the onset of your headache?” Known triggers might include certain foods (chocolate, cheese, wine), some physical activities (including sexual), change in the weather, bright light, strong odors, noise, stress, and interruptions in your sleep pattern.

Contact us at Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia today to learn more about migraines and how your oral health can be the direct link.