Headaches, root canals, and trigeminal nerves

[sara777]

I've had headaches of one kind or another since I was 6.  Most likely some combination of migraine and tension headache.  When I get them now, almost daily, I'll often have pain upon waking where it hurts to be laying down.  It hurts wherever my head touches the pillow.  I'll have pain to the touch (like a bruise) behind my eyebrows (not above) and in my temples.  Also pain in my neck at the back of my head.  I had work ups as a child and nothing changed...glasses, braces, diet changes, biofeedback.etc.  

Now, at 32, I'm having dental problems.  Some are clear.  Others are vague, like prolonged pain after a filling replacement on an upper tooth.  My dentist sees nothing wrong so she says maybe I need a root canal.  Before I jump into that, I want to be sure I'm treating the right cause.  My headaches have also been especially worse and I believe I may clench my teeth at night.  

Is this all unrelated?  Could everything link to a problem with my trigeminal nerve?  Is my teeth clenching cause sensitivity with that nerve and my tension headaches?  I'm getting rebound headaches from OTC pain meds that I have to take regularly right now and would like to get to the bottom of this.  Any insight would be appreciated.  Would a neurologist be able to clear any of this up?

Thanks!

[Me2mommy2b]

grinding or clenching your teeth can definitely cause tooth sensetivity and tension headaches.  Did you ever look into getting a night guard (the best one is done by your dr that's tailored specifically for your bite).  Why do you believe you clench your teeth at night?  Do you wake up with headaches or pain/soreness in your jaw?

[stateofconfusion]

yeah 'clenching teeht' COULD be a problem.  I'm not sure if there is a fee, but ask your dentist about TMJ problems and possible a mouth gaurd to prevent the clenching while sleeping.  That's the only thing I can offer...