I have been suffuring with migraines from age 8. I have seen countless family doctors, tried herbal treatments, and seen ciropractors and nerologist and have not got any relief just a ton of prescriptions and pain pills.

I recently went to work for a Dentist. She is great. Through our conversations she has learned a ton about how those with migraine get little help. She recently talked to me about the way she as a dentist can help my migraines. I had never ever thought to talk with my dentist about my migraines. My previous dentist knew I had migraines but asumed my treatments with my family doctor were taking care of the problem because i had never talked with him about it.

We just started trying a treatment plan specifically for my migraines.

My dentist explained how the TMJ (your jaw join) and the muscules in your neck and face play a big role in headache pain. Also alot of people grind or put to much pressure on thier teeth or have TMJ problems and dont even know it.

Step one of my treatment is to start with and NTI ( go to www.headacheprevention.com for more info) its a special type of night guard (Occlusal Guard) for those with headaches, jaw pain or neck pain especially early in the morning. They are a bit more costly but they last Forever if you take care of them properly. A normal nightguard just keeps you from grinding your teeth by giving you something to bite on and put pressure on but this can acctually be worse for your TMJ and migraines. Most dental offices offer some sort of credit or pay out plan. I promis a NTI is well worth the cost. I love mine. Its also very small in relation to a normal mouth guard so its easier to wear.

There are other things your dentist can do including splints. You can also have Carbocaine (the stuff they use to numb you) injected directly into the muscules in your cheek and jaw are causeing your pain. Also my dentist told me about a lidocaine (again one of the things they use to numb you) spray. Its just lidocaine in a nasal spray bottle. You use it as soon as you feel a migraine coming on.

I strongly recomend you talk to your dentist about your migraines and encourage them to find out what they can do to help you.

You may also consider seeing a facial and oral pain specialist, they can also do tons for migraines.

I will be posting about my treatments and procedures here and on my personal migraine blog.

~Tawny