J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2017 Dec;43(6):401-406. 10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.401.

The efficacy of oral habit modification on headache

• Agha-Hosseini F
• Sheykhbahaei N
• Mirzaii-Dizgah I
• Fatehi F

• KMID: 2398995
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.401

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Headache is the most common complaint of patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Thus, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) examinations maybe necessary in patients with headache. Considering the high prevalence of bruxism and TMDs in patients with headache the effects of conservative TMD treatment on headache should be assessed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients were questioned about headaches in the past three months. Those responding affirmatively to this question were examined for TMD and bruxism. After the examinations, 219 patients remained in the study and received self-management instructions. Patients were requested to modify oral habits except when eating or sleeping. The degree of pain (visual analogue scale), headache disability index (HDI), frequency of headaches (FH) per month and TMD intensity were evaluated.
RESULTS
The median levels of pain, HDI, FH, and TMD intensity were 8, 44, 8, and 7, respectively, before modifying oral habits and decreased to 4, 24, 2, and 3, respectively, after intervention. These decreases were statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Having patients maintain free space between the teeth and relax muscles can be an efficient method to treat headache and TMD, especially when repeated frequently.

Keyword

Headache; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Para-functional habits; Self-care

MeSH Terms

Bruxism
Eating
Headache*
Humans
Methods
Muscles
Prevalence
Self Care
Temporomandibular Joint
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Tooth

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