Headaches are frustrating — especially when nothing seems to explain them. But did you know that the pain in your head can sometimes start in your mouth?
At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we often meet patients who have been pushing through headaches for months (or years) while also avoiding dental visits because of fear, past trauma, gagging, or sensory overload. If that’s you: you’re not alone, and you’re not “being dramatic.” There are gentle ways to get answers.
10 signs your headache might be coming from your teeth
1) The headache is on one side — and stays on that side
Dental problems often cause localized pain, especially from a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, or an infection in a single tooth. People commonly describe a one-sided temple, cheek, or forehead headache that keeps returning.
- What it can mean: crack, decay near the nerve, abscess, or bite imbalance on one side.
2) Your jaw feels sore, tight, or tired
If your headache is accompanied by jaw soreness — especially in the morning — your jaw joint and muscles may be involved. This includes TMJ/TMD (jaw joint dysfunction) and muscle tension.
- What it can mean: clenching/grinding, jaw inflammation, joint irritation.
3) You wake up with headaches (or they’re worse in the morning)
Morning headaches are a classic clue for nighttime clenching or grinding (bruxism). Many people have no idea they grind until a dentist sees the wear.
- What it can mean: bruxism, TMJ strain, muscle overuse.
4) Your teeth feel sensitive to cold, heat, or sweets
Sensitivity can be a minor issue — or a warning sign that a tooth is inflamed and trending toward the nerve. If your headaches flare when a specific tooth is triggered, that’s meaningful.
- What it can mean: decay, enamel loss, gum recession, nerve irritation.
5) You have facial pressure that feels like a sinus headache — but it’s mostly on one side
Upper back teeth sit close to the sinus area. A dental infection, deep decay, or even a tooth root issue can create sinus-like pressure (especially in the cheekbone area).
- What it can mean: upper tooth infection/abscess, root irritation, referred pain.
Tip: “Sinus headaches” that don’t match allergy/cold symptoms — or don’t respond to typical sinus treatments — sometimes turn out to be dental.
6) Chewing makes the headache worse
If chewing, biting, or even tapping a tooth increases pain in your head or face, your bite or a specific tooth may be the culprit.
- What it can mean: cracked tooth, abscess, inflamed ligament around the tooth, high filling, bite imbalance.
7) You get pain that radiates (to the ear, temple, neck, or behind the eye)
Teeth and jaw structures share nerve pathways with the face and head. That’s why dental issues can feel like ear pain, temple pressure, eye pain, or neck tension.
- What it can mean: TMJ/muscle referral patterns, tooth nerve inflammation.
8) You notice clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw
Clicking alone doesn’t always mean something serious. But when it shows up with headaches, jaw fatigue, or limited opening, it’s worth evaluating.
- What it can mean: joint disc issues, inflammation, muscle guarding.
9) Your headaches coincide with stress (and you “hold tension” in your jaw)
Stress doesn’t cause cavities — but it can absolutely drive clenching, grinding, and muscle tension that trigger headaches.
- What it can mean: muscle tension headaches related to jaw clenching/grinding.
10) You’ve been avoiding the dentist because of fear — and symptoms are increasing
Avoidance is understandable. But when dental problems progress, they can start showing up as headaches, facial pain, sleep disruption, and constant tension.
- What it can mean: an issue that has quietly worsened over time (decay, infection, cracks, gum problems, bite changes)
When to call The Dental Anesthesia Center
If your headaches come with jaw pain, tooth sensitivity, pain with chewing, one-sided facial pressure, or symptoms that keep returning, it’s worth checking whether your teeth or jaw are involved — especially if you’ve been avoiding care due to anxiety.
Next step: Schedule a consultation so we can help you understand what’s going on and what options feel possible for you.
If you’re in the St. Louis area and traditional dentistry hasn’t worked for you, we’re here to help you take the next step calmly and safely.
Contact The Dental Anesthesia Center Today
If you need a dentist specializing in comfortable, sedation-based care, contact The Dental Anesthesia Center for expert, compassionate support.