Do you dread dental appointments because of Migraine triggers? It can be tempting to skip that appointment, but it's not a good idea. Migraine increases the risk of some dental problems, so we can’t afford to ignore our oral health. Fortunately, there are ways to protect against Migraine triggers at the dentist.
Migraine Requires Special Care
People with Migraine have unique dental needs. Frequent vomiting can erode tooth enamel. Some common Migraine medicines cause dry mouth and gingival swelling. We can’t afford to skip routine exams, cleanings, or put off needed procedures.
If you’re already having Migraine symptoms before you sit in that chair, don’t delay treatment. Take your prescribed abortives and grab your ice pack before the attack has a chance to take control.
Get Comfortable
Choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and place a small pillow under your neck for extra support.
Stay Warm
Dental offices can get cold. A jacket or lightweight blanket can keep you warm.
Dim the Lights
Protect your eyes from the glaring lights by wearing dark sunglasses, FL-41 tinted glasses, or using an eye mask.
Cancel Out the Noise
Ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones are a must to drown out the noise of dental equipment.
Odor Block
Try dabbing a bit diluted peppermint essential oil or menthol rub under your nose to mask the odors.
Breathe
Even, relaxed breathing induces a calm mental state. Practice breathing through your nose. If you’re concerned about sinus congestion, talk to your dentist or doctor about using decongestants to make breathing easier.
Meditation
Download and play your favorite guided meditations to relax both mind and body. Pay attention to muscle tension. Practice doing quick body scans, systematically letting go of tension in each muscle group.
Drift Away
Play your favorite tunes or listen to an audio book to keep your mind occupied with pleasant distractions. Lose yourself in a world of imagination far away from the dentist’s drill.
Schedule Early Appointments
Request an appointment early in the day at the beginning of the week. The staff is more likely to feel refreshed, take their time, and be more patient with your needs.
Bring a Friend
Bring a buddy along for moral support. Delegate the tasks of scheduling future appointments and paying the bill to your support person. If that person is your spouse or significant other, he or she may also be your advocate when it comes to making treatment decisions or following the dentist’s after-care instructions.
Discuss Medication Options
If you are concerned that these measures might not be enough, it may be helpful to pretreat with an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), muscle relaxer, or NSAID. Discuss medication options with your doctor or dentist to find the treatment that’s right for you.
If you need an anesthetic, ask your dentist to use one for people with migraine. Most of them carry it now but it’s one with only a little epinephrine in it. It only lasts 30 minutes so your dentist needs to reinject it after 30 minutes if you are having a long procedure, and you will bleed a little more during the procedure but most dentists can cope with that. Also ask for a mouth rest if you need to have your mouth open for long periods. It is a rubber device they put in your mouth to rest your teeth on the opposite side to where they are working. Both of these things have made a huge difference to me when I have a dental procedure and I can honestly say I never get migraines after the dentist any more.