Clenching and Grinding

The question always comes up.. how much does clenching/grinding add to people’s headaches… and the answer is quite complicated.  Some feel it often IS the problem, while others feel it is vastly overstated as a contributing factor for headaches.  I believe that in certain headache-prone individuals clenching, and more importantly grinding (bruxism) does complicate matters, and splints may help.  There is a newer splint, developed by Dr. Jim Boyd (dentist), that is an anterior splint (over the front teeth).  It is fairly comfortable, and is usually worn only at night.  The important thing is to see a very competent TMJ specialist, orthodontist, or dentist good with clenching and splints.  A lot more on this important subject later.  LR