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Wisdom Teeth & Headaches: A Connection Explained

You are here looking for the no BS answer to the question: Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches? 

The emergence of wisdom teeth can be a nerve-wracking period. These last sets of teeth to appear are often painful and troublesome.

This is especially true if there isn’t sufficient space in the jaw bone and if they erupt askew.

While the experience is not the same for everyone as wisdom teeth emerge, it’s typical to experience some discomfort, pain, and symptoms such as swollen gums and jaws.

Worse case scenarios, some individuals develop unusual symptoms that aren’t associated with wisdom teeth and might worsen if there is an infection.

This can cause severe pain, fever, swelling, and other conditions.

Among the most sought concern is if the emergence of wisdom teeth causes headaches.

This post elucidates more on the challenges as wisdom teeth erupt and answers the perturbing question of can wisdom teeth cause headaches.

Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?

Surprisingly, wisdom teeth can cause headaches. They are a clear indication that the wisdom teeth are impacted or emerging. The headache could also be a sign that it’s time to have your wisdom teeth removed.

These wisdom teeth come last but often invite trouble in the process. From when they emerge to how they grow, wisdom tee can be a significant source of pain.

Once they grow, that may not be the end of their trouble. That’s because they are associated with various issues that could cause pain and discomfort.

Besides headaches, you might expect other issues, especially if it is impacted wisdom teeth.

One of them is extreme pain emanating from the back of your mouth. Your gums may also start bleeding, swell or become tender. The jaw and glands in your neck and shoulder may also swell.

Some people get pretty unlucky to the extent that they can neither speak nor eat food with ease.

If an infection was to occur, the symptoms could change from bad to worse. You can start swelling excessively, suffering from extreme pain and even fever.

The bottom line is that there are various reasons why wisdom teeth could cause pain, especially headaches. Let us look at why wisdom teeth cause all this trouble.

The Emergence Of The Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth come later in life, most likely between the age of 17 and 25. They are four, and each one grows on either side of the jaws, top, and bottom.

The growth of these third sets of molars involves the movement of the wisdom teeth through the jawbone. The movement continues until the teeth emerge on top of your gum.

That movement is the reason for headaches. In most cases, it also comes with other discomforts such as swollen gums, redness, and pain in your jaw.

What do you expect when the teeth are pushing your gums up? The pain continues until the teeth come in.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth

Since they come later, many are times when wisdom teeth don’t grow properly due to lack of enough space.

As a result, they end up emerging at an angle. Others end up pushing against the adjacent molars if not getting stuck in the jaw.

Once the teeth shift, an improper bite may also become the order of the day. Consequently, there may be soreness and pain such as headaches as the lower jaw compensates due to an improper bite.

Impacted wisdom teeth are also prone to other issues that cause pain. They include gum disease, cysts, and tooth decay. As they push against the neighboring teeth, they may cause them harm and increase the chances of infection.

Solution For Headaches Caused by Wisdom Teeth

Painkillers such as Aspirin might offer immediate relief for headaches caused by wisdom teeth.

Still, they aren’t a permanent solution, and over-relying on painkillers could be detrimental to your well-being.

The ideal solution is to schedule an appointment with a dentist, who will probably recommend wisdom teeth extraction.

Wisdom tooth removal is a dental procedure that will go a long way in maintaining optimal oral health.

In most instances, dentists recommend wisdom tooth extraction because these sets of molars are hard to clean and maintain.

Also, it helps avoid other complications such as overcrowding and infection.

Summary

So, can wisdom teeth cause headaches? It is crystal clear that the answer to that question is a resounding yes. Equally important, wisdom teeth cause more than headaches. 

From soreness to extreme pain, redness to fever, they can lead to a lot of discomforts. Sometimes the headache is short-lived, but in other cases, I won’t go away until the extraction of the wisdom teeth occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can I Do About The Headache?

The cause of action depends on the reason why the wisdom teeth cause headaches. If it is a case of emerging teeth, the remedy is as simple as taking an over-the-counter painkiller. However, you will have to undergo wisdom teeth removal if they are impacted.

Can You Prevent An Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

As much as prevention is better than cure, there is no preventive measure for impacted wisdom teeth. However, you can reduce its adverse effects by visiting a dentist regularly.

Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause Fatigue?

Yes, especially if food and bacteria are trapped under your skin. That’s because it can cause pericoronitis. The condition initiates a cycle of pain, inflation, and infection, which affects your immune system adversely. These bacteria hardly go away, causing fatigue, tiredness, flu, and cold as your immune system overworks to keep up with it.

Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Neck Pain?

Yes, wisdom teeth can cause neck pain. Impacted wisdom teeth cause jaw joints to become swollen and painful. In addition, the increased tension in the jawbone might spread to the neck, leading to neck pain.

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Kate Colley
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