Wisdom teeth or third molars can be a source of discomfort and pain for many individuals. These teeth can sometimes cause various issues, including headaches.
In this article, we will look into the connection between wisdom teeth and headaches and the possibility of them causing migraines.
Additionally, we will discuss some home remedies to alleviate these symptoms.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches? Clear Indicators You Shouldn’t Ignore!
Wisdom teeth, the last set of molars, typically erupt between 17 and 25 years of age. As they grow inside your jaw, they can cause pressure on your gums, jawbone, and the surrounding teeth and structures in your face.
Wisdom teeth are large. Therefore, they can cause discomfort as they emerge. The pain can intensify and trigger headaches if the wisdom teeth become impacted.
Visiting a dentist is important if you feel pain, discomfort, or a small headache. They can examine your wisdom teeth to ensure they’re healthy and growing correctly. However, it is only sometimes abnormal.
If they have developed well, they can be left alone, and your symptoms will disappear once they have fully come out.
If the headache continues after the wisdom teeth have completely erupted, it is high time you see a dentist and get rid of it as soon as possible.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Migraines?
Migraine is a recurring headache with pulsing or throbbing pain, affecting about 12% of US citizens.
When your wisdom teeth grow, they can create extra pressure in your sinuses. This pressure mainly affects the area around your upper jaw and can lead to migraines.
Signs of a Wisdom Teeth Headache
Here are some indicators to distinguish between a regular headache and a headache caused by a wisdom tooth:
- You are experiencing strain or stress in your jaw
- The side of your neck hurts
- An occurrence of a blunt migraine after eating
- Persistent unpleasant breath despite regular brushing
- A constant, dull ache in your molars
- The discomfort experienced when opening your mouth extensively
- Inflammation in your gum tissues
- Challenges encountered while swallowing
How to Rid of Headaches Caused by Wisdom Tooth
If you’re experiencing headaches from emerging wisdom teeth, here are a few home remedies that may help you get rid of them:
Salt Water Rinse
Rinsing with warm salt water is a popular home remedy for pain caused by emerging teeth. Combining salt and warm water rinse can promote healthy gums and kill bacteria.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is especially important for newly growing wisdom teeth. Since this part is difficult to clean, the presence of bacteria can lead to gum disease when the wisdom teeth come through the gums.
Take an Aspirin
Aspirin is a reliable and proven solution for relieving headaches caused by wisdom teeth. However, you must follow label instructions and not consume more than the recommended dose.
Hot and Cold Therapy
A cold pack on your cheeks can ease pain, swelling, and inflammation, while warm pads can relax tight muscles and enhance blood circulation. These advantages can provide relief and prevent headaches.
Other Problems Associated with Wisdom Teeth
If there are other problems associated with wisdom teeth, they can also contribute to your headaches. Those problems may include:
- Tooth decay: Partially impacted wisdom teeth have a greater chance of developing decay than your other teeth.
- Cysts: Your wisdom teeth grow inside a small sac in your jawbone. Sometimes, if the sac fills with fluid and turns into a cyst, it can harm your jawbone, nerves, and teeth.
- Gum disease: If your wisdom tooth is stuck and only partially out, it can be hard to clean properly. This is likely to result in a sore gum condition called pericoronitis.
- Damage to the neighboring teeth: When a wisdom tooth grows awkwardly, it can push against the tooth next to it and cause harm or make it easier for infections to occur.
Conclusion
In conclusion, headaches and migraines caused by wisdom teeth are not very common. These headaches usually occur due to eruption, leading to inflammation, pressure, and pain in the surrounding tissues.
However, not everyone experiences headaches when their wisdom teeth emerge, and the severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.
Although these symptoms are generally not severe, you should consult your dentist if you are experiencing an intense headache caused by wisdom teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do wisdom teeth headaches feel like?
Wisdom teeth headaches typically present as a dull, recurring pain in the back of the mouth, jaw, or temples, and they can vary in intensity from mild discomfort to severe throbbing pain.
How long does a headache last after a tooth extraction?
After tooth extraction, it’s normal to have a mild or strong headache because the mouth and jaw muscles get tense. The headaches usually go away once the healing is complete, typically taking a few days.
Can wisdom teeth removal help headaches?
If your symptoms are severe, your dentist might suggest removing your wisdom teeth, which can help ease headaches and other issues caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
Where are wisdom teeth headaches located?
Sometimes, people can confuse jaw pain with migraines. When wisdom teeth grow, they can put extra pressure on the sinuses around the upper jaw, leading to migraines.