The Hidden Link Between Headaches and Wisdom Teeth
When you are having the constant headaches and you cannot figure out where they are coming from, it could be because of your wisdom teeth. What most individuals do not know is that dental problems especially problems with the wisdom teeth can cause recurring headaches and head pains. This realization may be the solution to relief.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?
Yes, wisdom teeth cause headaches. When the wisdom teeth start erupting or are affected, they cause pressure and inflammation that extends past your jaw. Such dental pain is usually in the form of tension headaches, migraine or general head pain that the patients do not necessarily relate to their teeth.
The association comes about due to the influence exerted by affected or displaced wisdom teeth on adjacent teeth, nerve, and jaw formation. This pressure creates pain impulses that pass down the trigeminal nerve- the largest cranial nerve that carries sensation in your head and face. Problematic wisdom teeth end up irritating this nerve thereby causing debilitating headaches.
How Wisdom Teeth Cause Head Pain
There are a number of ways in which wisdom teeth cause headaches. The affected wisdom teeth, which cannot pass through the gums and emerge completely, in turn, exert constant pressure on the adjacent teeth and jawbone. This constant stress causes the inflammation and tension in the muscles that spread to your temples, forehead and neck.
Another cause of headache is infected wisdom teeth. When wisdom teeth partially erupt, they form pockets in which bacteria grow, causing infections. These infections bring about swelling and pain which spreads all over your head and is in most cases accompanied by fever and jaw stiffness.
Bruxism, which is the medical term used to describe teeth grinding and jaw clenching, is often acquired as a reaction to the pain of the wisdom teeth. Your body attempts to unconsciously de-stress dental pressure and this leads to jaw straining and tension headaches. Not all individuals even notice that they are grinding their teeth particularly when they are asleep until the damage is so severe.
Do Wisdom Teeth Cause Pain Beyond Headaches?
The issues of wisdom teeth are not just limited to headaches. The most frequent signs are pain and stiffness of the jaw, inability to open your mouth completely, gum or facial swelling, foul breath as a result of the food particles trapped, and pain during chewing. Another effect may be ear pain because the closeness of the wisdom teeth to the ear structures lets the pain radiate.
When you experience headaches with any of these symptoms, you might be having a problem with wisdom teeth that need a medical examination.
Bottom Line
Could wisdom teeth cause your persistent headaches? Will wisdom teeth stay painful when untreated? The answer is often yes. The lack of attention paid to problematic wisdom teeth usually exacerbates the symptoms in the long-run and causes more complicated dental problems and chronic pain.
Our trained dentists in Melbourne are experienced in diagnosis and treatment of the issues of wisdom teeth, including wisdom teeth extraction when necessary. Our high-level imaging to evaluate the location of your wisdom teeth and decide on the need to extract or do other procedures.
Don’t allow your quality of life to be reduced by wisdom tooth headaches. Our dentist in Melbourne offers effective assessments, customized treatment procedures, and painless services to solve your wisdom teeth issues. Our services include flexible scheduling, current pain management methods, and empathetic services during your treatment process.