Numerous factors, such as wisdom teeth that are erupting, becoming impacted, or needing extraction, might contribute to headaches.
Continue reading to find out why and how wisdom tooth pain might result in headaches
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ When your wisdom teeth are erupting through your gum line and traveling up through your jawbone, they can be painful and can give you headaches.
✅ Postoperative headaches can also result from oral surgery to remove impacted wisdom teeth or dental disease.
✅ Not everyone has to have their wisdom teeth extracted, despite the fact that extraction is a common therapy for impacted wisdom teeth.
✅ The ADA advises that all teenagers and young adults have their wisdom teeth checked and monitored.
✅ Get in touch with your dentist to make an appointment if you have sharp, ongoing discomfort, recurring migraines, snotty saliva, or any swelling.
Newly erupted wisdom teeth
Usually, your wisdom teeth erupt between the ages of 17 and 25.
They are the third pair of molars in your mouth, and they are situated toward the back.
The majority of people have two top and two bottom wisdom teeth.
The American Dental Association (ADA) states that roughly five years after your second set of molars erupts, your wisdom teeth start to erupt through the gum line and travel into your jawbone. Headaches and other discomforts may result from this movement.
Affected wisdom teeth
Your wisdom teeth are referred to as impacted if they erupt incorrectly. Wisdom teeth frequently impaction because there isn’t enough room in the mouth for them to erupt properly. They might as a result:
- appear obliquely
- get impaled in the jaw
- rub up against the opposing molars
An inappropriate bite can come from wisdom teeth growing into a mouth that isn’t big enough for them. This can also cause other teeth to shift. Your lower jaw may compensate for an abnormal bite, which could result in pain and inflammation, as well as other issues related to your wisdom teeth.
The Mayo Clinic states that in addition to causing discomfort and headaches, impacted wisdom teeth can also result in:
- Dental decay. The risk of decay seems to be higher for partially impacted wisdom teeth compared to your other teeth.
- Cysts. Your wisdom teeth grow in a sac within your jawbone. Your jawbone, nerves, and teeth could be harmed if the sac overflows with fluid and develops into a cyst.
- Gum illness. It can be challenging to clean a partially erupted impacted wisdom tooth. This may raise your risk of developing pericoronitis, an inflammation of the gums that can be painful.
- Dental damage to nearby teeth. A second molar that is being pushed against by an impacted wisdom tooth may become damaged or develop an infection.
Impacted wisdom teeth treated with oral surgery
Your impacted wisdom teeth can typically be surgically removed if they are causing dental issues or pain. A dental surgeon often performs this surgery.
After having oral surgery, your jaw may become tight, which may cause tension headaches. Additionally, the procedure itself may result in postoperative headaches, including migraines, brought on by:
- anesthesia
- Anxiety and stress
- pain
- Lack of sleep
- Variations in blood pressure
Although uncommon, additional issues that could arise after wisdom tooth removal surgery include a rough socket, an infection, and harm to your nerves, sinuses, surrounding teeth, or jawbone
Remedies for headaches and pain from wisdom teeth
Here are some natural solutions that can help if you have gum pain or headaches related to wisdom teeth that are coming in or becoming stuck. Use salt water to rinse out your mouth. Pain from newly erupted teeth is frequently treated with warm water and salt rinses. Warm water and sodium chloride, which is salt’s chemical name, can be used to rinse in order to support healthy gums and eradicate bacteria, according to research from Research.
For your wisdom teeth to erupt, it is especially important to keep your mouth clean. Wisdom teeth can cause gum disease when they break through your gums, and the area is difficult to keep clean.
Your mouth will stay clean and bacteria-free if you practice good daily oral hygiene in addition to warm water and salt rinses. This entails brushing twice daily and at least once daily flossing.
Take aspirin tablets
Even headaches from wisdom teeth can be successfully treated with aspirin. According to a 2015 study aspirin can effectively reduce tooth pain. Don’t take more than the authorized dose and abide by the label’s directions.
Use the hot-and-cold method
Another option is to use heat and cold therapy. While heat pads can relax tense muscles and enhance blood flow to the area, using an ice pack or an ice cube on your cheeks can help relieve pain, inflammation, and swelling. These advantages can lessen or prevent headache pain.