Headache and Migraine
Headaches are common, but they're not normal. Learn more about the causes of headaches, typesof headaches and oral issues that can cause headaches. If you live in Benbrook and aresuffering from tension, migraine, cluster or cervical headaches, YOU CAN FIND RELIEF! Callus today at 817 294 5513 or complete the form and we will contact you shortly.
CAUSES OF HEADACHE
There are two types of headaches:
Primary Headaches
include tension, migraine, cervicogenic, and cluster headaches and are notcaused by other underlying medical conditions. More than 90% of headaches are primary.
Secondary Headaches
result from other medical conditions, such as infection or increasedpressure in the skull due to a tumor. These account for fewer than 10% of all headaches.
Testimonials
About Us
Dr. Kevin Altieri graduated from Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. He is the first alumni from his high school to become a doctor. He pursued his undergraduate studies at West Texas State University, graduating with his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science in 1987. He continued his education at Baylor College of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 1992. Dr. Altieri has practiced in the Fort Worth, Texas, area since 1994. Dr. Altieri has been named the Top Dentist in Fort Worth and as Top Doctor by Texas Monthly for the past 14 years.
Cindie graduated from Tarrant County College in 1994. She is active in the Greater Fort Worth Dental Hygienists’ Society and holds the position of President in the State Dental Hygiene Association. Cindie has been with Bellaire Dental Excellence for six years. She loves working with team-oriented co-workers and a doctor who cares for his patients. She enjoys being part of a caring family practice. Cindie has been married to her wonderful husband, Tim, for over 25 years. Their daughter, Kaitlyn, is attending Oklahoma State University. When not in the office, Cindie loves to read and attend high school and college football games.
Jennifer was the assistant to Dr. Charles Kendall for 11 yrs. While at the peak of his retirement, Jennifer jumped on board w/ Dr. Altieri & his staff. She has stated that she couldn’t have made a better choice in being a part of a working family who continues to teach dentistry on a daily basis. It’s the best career decision she has made.
Married for 15 years, her and her husband have a daughter who plays fast pitch softball and a Son who plays baseball, she stays active with their busy schedules, loves spending time with family and friends And BIG Fans of the Texas Rangers! Go Rangers!
Vanda has been with our team for 4 years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, and loves everyone at our office. Her favorite part of our practice is the joyous atmosphere and jovial rapport she enjoys with Dr. Altieri and her coworkers. Vanda has the gift of edifying others, and works hard to make all our patients’ experiences at our practice enjoyable. She continues to advance her knowledge of dentistry through continuing education. Vanda has 2 brothers. When not in our office, Vanda enjoys jewelry making.
Tierni has been with our practice for 24 years, and loves our patients! She completed her Bachelor Science degree in 1989. She has two children, a sixteen-year-old son and a thirteen-year-old daughter.
THE PRIMARY HEADACHE TYPES
1. Tension Headaches : are the most common, affecting more than 75% of all headache sufferers.As many as 90% of adults have had tension headaches.
Tension headaches usually involve a steady ache, rather than a throbbing one, are described as a feeling of pressure or tightening, may last minutes to days, affect both sides of the head, and donot worsen with routine physical activity. It may also be accompanied by hypersensitivity tolight and noise. Some people get tension (and migraine) headaches because of stressful events.Tension headaches may also be chronic, occurring frequently or daily.
Rebound Headache : Rebound headache may occur among people with tension headaches, aswell as in those with migraines. It can be the result of taking prescription or nonprescription painrelievers daily or almost every day, contrary to directions on the package label. If prescription ornonprescription pain relievers are overused, headaches may 'rebound' as the last dose wearsoff--leading you to take more and more pills. Break that cycle!
2. Cervicogenic Headaches : come from disorders of the neck. They are often brought on by neckmovement and/or sustained awkward head positioning (such as painting the ceiling or washingthe floor). There may also be stiffness in the neck or shoulder and arm pain accompanying theheadaches.
3. Migraine Headaches : are less common than tension headaches, but still afflict 25 to 30 millionpeople in the United States As many as 6% of all men, and up to 18% of all women experience amigraine headache at some time.
Migraines may last 4-72 hours and involve the entire head. They can cause throbbing and areaggravated by routine physical activity.
Nausea, sensitivity to light and sound often accompany migraines. An "aura" may occur beforehead pain begins-- involving a disturbance in vision, and/or an experience of brightly colored orblinking lights in a pattern that moves across the field of vision. About one in five migrainesufferers experiences an aura.
Usually, migraine attacks are occasional, or sometimes as often as once or twice a week, butrarely occur daily.
4. Cluster Headaches : are pretty rare, affecting about 1% of the population. They are differentfrom migraine and tension headaches. Most cluster headache sufferers are male -- about 85%.
Cluster headaches come in groups or clusters lasting weeks or month. The pain is extremelysevere but the attack is brief, lasting no more than a hour or two. The pain centers around oneeye, and this eye may be inflamed and watery. There may also be nasal congestion on theaffected side of the face.
These "alarm clock" headaches may strike in the middle of the night, and often occur at about thesame time each day during the course of a cluster. A history of heavy smoking and drinking iscommon, and alcohol often triggers attacks.
These are some common oral issues that can cause both a headache and tooth pain:
TMJ : If you have consistent headaches or migraines, they may be caused by temporomandibulardisorders (TMD) or more commonly known as issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Pain relievers of various types are the most common approach to headaches. In our practice wetake a more natural approach. Our objective is to find and reduce the underlying cause of aheadache. During an examination, Kevin Altieri will perform orthopedic types of tests on the TMJwhich allow us to assess the current status of joint form and function. If you have joint pain, wewill determine exactly which structure(s) are involved in order to make a diagnosis.
Incorrect Bite : If you have consistent headaches and have ruled out organic causes andthe only effective treatment is pain medication, you need to consider a dental biteproblem as a possible cause especially if you typically have a one-sidedheadache/migraine or one-sided neck pain or shoulder pain. The typical bite-relatedheadaches are felt in the suboccipitals, temporalis, and/or migraine.
Teeth Grinding , also called Bruxism, can be caused by stress, misaligned teeth or nerve andmuscle diseases in the face. Symptoms can include morning headaches, grinding sounds at night,tight jaw muscles and cracked or damaged teeth.
Toothaches : cavities or gum issues can cause headaches. If you think your headache and toothpain are related, schedule an appointment with Kevin Altieri. Note any oral issues that occur inconjunction with the headache . If the two are linked, we should be able to diagnose and suggesta course of treatment not only for the oral care issue but also to provide relief from headaches .

Call us today 817 294 5513 to schedule an appointment in Benbrook or complete the form for acomplimentary consultation at Bellaire Dental Excellence .
Contact Us
| DAY | TIME |
| Monday | 9:00am-5:00pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00am-5:00pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00am-5:00pm |
| Thursday | 9:00am-5:00pm |
| Friday | 9:00am-5:00pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |