Loss Of Teeth Adversely Affects Blood Flow To The Brain. Effects on Migraines And Headaches Explored

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 16, 2009 -
The article in April Cranio (abstract included below) looked at the experimental effect of a shortened dental arch on Cerebral blood flow.  Many patients and dentists do not consider the loss of one or two back teeth to be significant  because it does not create significant changes in oral function.  Previous studies by a Dr Fatah in Florida have shown that patients missing one or more back teeth have a 100% increae in headaches, migraines, sinus pain and headaches, neck pain and TM Joint disorders when compared to patients with intact dentition.  This new study may help explain this dramatic increase in symptoms.  A new website http://www.ihateheadaches.org is a resource for headache sufferers and supplies information on treating all types of headaches with Neuromuscular Dentistry.  The Cranio study concluded that "These findings suggest that occlusal status is closely related to brain blood flow and lack of occlusal molar support rapidly reduces cerebral blood volume in the maximum voluntary clenching condition".

Morning headaches are vey common in patients with TMJ disorders as well as in patients with sleep apnea.  The NHLBI (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute) of the NIH considers sleep apnea to be a Temporomandibular disorder and their report should be read by all migraine and Tension-Type headache patients.  The report is avialable at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/workshops/tmj_wksp.pdf

Headache is a primary symptom of TM Joint disorders.   According to ther report "Although broad longitudinal and cross-sectional epidemiological studies have not been carried out, TMD is estimated to affect about 12% of the general population, representing more than 34 million Americans.   The majority of those seeking treatment are women in their reproductive years.  As for many other pain conditions, the clinical scenario of TMD also tends to be more severe in women than men.  TM disorders are considered a serious health problem because many individuals lose their ability to hold regular jobs and to function productively even within the context of a household environment."   Millions of patients with sleep apnea, migraines, headaches and stress related disorders can be helped by treating their TMJ disorders.  Http://www.ihateheadaches.org has information on treating headaches utilizing Neuromuscular Dental techniques.

Even more important is another article from Cranio by Shimshak et al that showed a 300% increase in medical expenses in all fields of medicine when patients carry a diagnosis of TMJD or TMD.  The trigeminal nerve or dentists nerve  is responsible for most headaches  It has always been assumed that this was in large part due to a neurological effect.  This new study also shows the effect on blood flow to the brain from missing teeth.  A major function of the trigeminal nerve is to control the blood flow to the anterior two thirds of the brain and this study could shown that disturbances in teeth and bite affect the vascular flow intracranially.

Neuromuscular Dentistry (NMD) in the hands or an experienced clinician is well known to extremely effective in eliminating or drastically reducing headaches in most patients but many physicians and dentists are not aware of the science behind NMD.  An excellent and easily understood explanation of Neuromuscular Dentistry can be found in Sleep and Health Journal (http://www.sleepandhealth.com/neuromuscular-dentistry).

"SUFFER NO MORE:  DEALING WITH THE GREAT IMPOSTER"  is another must read story for anyone suffering from migraines, tension-type headaches, chronic daily headaches or TMJ disorders.  TMJ disorders or Tempormandibular Dysfunction has been named the Great Imposter because patients are so often misdiagnosed or only diagnosed by their symptoms rather than the underlying causes of pain.  "Suffer No More" can be found at: http://www.sleepandhealth.com/story/suffer-no-more-dealing-great-impostor  This is a must read for any patient looking for help with chronic headache, migraines  and/or TMJ disorders and their  treatment,

Cranio. 2009 Apr;27(2):94-100. Links
Shortened dental arch and cerebral regional blood volume: an experimental pilot study with optical topography.

Miyamoto I, Yoshida K, Bessho K.
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Science of Physical Function, Kyushu Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan. r08miyamoto@fa.kyudent.ac.jp
A shortened dental arch without posterior occlusal support has been thought to maintain sufficient oral function. The mechanism of occlusal adaptation with a shortened dental arch is unclear. For a better understanding of the effects of molar teeth on brain function, the authors combined experimentally-shortened dental arches and a neuro-imaging technique. Regional cerebral blood volume was measured using near-infrared optical topography during maximum voluntary clenching tasks from 10 subjects on individually fabricated oral appliances, which can create experimentally complete and shortened dental arches. Results suggested that clenching on the complete dental arch showed a significantly higher brain blood volume than that on the shortened dental arch. Moreover, there were no differences between the two splints in the latency to the maximum oxyhemoglobin concentration. These findings suggest that occlusal status is closely related to brain blood flow and lack of occlusal molar support rapidly reduces cerebral blood volume in the maximum voluntary clenching condition.