Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?
Are you experiencing headaches on a regular basis these days? If so, there are a number of different causes of headaches that could be taking a toll on you.
For example, your diet could be the cause of all your headaches. A lack of sleep could also be at the root of your headaches. And there is even a chance that something as simple as stress could be resulting in headaches.
There is, however, one other lesser-known cause of headaches: Wisdom teeth. The answer to the question, “Can wisdom teeth cause headaches?”, is “yes.” If you have an emerging or impacted wisdom tooth, you might find yourself getting headaches more often than usual.
So, why do wisdom teeth cause headaches, and what can you do about it? We’re going to answer these questions and more before breaking down why you should consider having wisdom tooth removal done.
What Are Emerging Wisdom Teeth?
In order for you to understand how wisdom teeth can cause headaches, you need to have a better idea of what wisdom teeth are. More specifically, you need to know what we mean when we refer to emerging wisdom teeth.
Just about everyone has four wisdom teeth in their mouths, including two on top and two on bottom. They’re essentially a third set of molars in people’s mouths that will start to come in when they’re between 17 and 25 years old.
Generally speaking, most people will see their wisdom teeth emerge about 5 years after they get their second set of molars. When they do, they’ll often experience at least some wisdom tooth pain as the teeth break through the gums. They might also get headaches at right around this same time.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
The problem with wisdom teeth is that many people don’t have enough room in their mouths for them. This can sometimes lead to them having to deal with impacted wisdom teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth are teeth that aren’t able to grow in properly. In some cases, they might grow in at an awkward angle. In others, they might actually get stuck in the jaw or get pushed right up against a person’s second set of molars.
In the event that any of these things happen, it can lead to some serious wisdom tooth pain and even more headaches. It’s why most dentists will advise their patients to have wisdom tooth removal done if they sense they could be headed down this path. It’s the only surefire way for them to experience wisdom tooth pain relief.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?
As we alluded to earlier, the answer to the question, “Can wisdom teeth cause headaches?”, is “yes.” And it’s pretty easy to see why wisdom teeth and, more specifically, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to you having to deal with your fair share of headaches.
If your mouth doesn’t have enough space to accommodate your wisdom teeth, many of your teeth will start to shift around to try to make room for them. This can prevent you from biting down like you normally would, and it can put a ton of stress on your lower jaw.
Before long, your lower jaw will get sore and stiff. This will inevitably lead to a lot of people suffering headaches that are indirectly caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Other Issues?
If your wisdom teeth ever get impacted, headaches might end up being the least of your concerns. There are all kinds of other issues that may also pop up.
Here are some potential problems you might be forced to live with when you have impacted wisdom teeth:
- A higher risk of tooth decay in impacted wisdom teeth that are difficult to clean
- A chance of cysts forming in your jawbone and doing damage to the nerves in this area
- Increased risk of gum disease in an impacted wisdom tooth and the teeth surrounding it
These issues will be in addition to the headaches you may start to suffer because of your impacted wisdom teeth. It’s not going to be a particularly pleasant time in your life.
Can You Stop Wisdom Teeth From Causing Headaches and Other Pain?
If you’re experiencing headaches caused by impacted wisdom teeth or other wisdom tooth pain, there are steps you can take to get some much-needed relief. Taking aspirin might be the first thing you should do. Studies have suggested aspirin can be a very effective tool when it comes to fighting dental pain.
You can also try to use hot and cold therapy to fight off the headaches caused by impacted wisdom teeth. Alternating between using heating pads and ice packs on your face might help to stop wisdom tooth pain in its tracks and send your headaches packing.
Additionally, rinsing with salt water can work wonders for some people struggling with wisdom tooth pain. It’ll reduce the bacteria that exist in your mouth and eventually help cut down on the pain you feel.
It would be worth trying out any of these at-home remedies to see how well they’re able to work for you.
Should You Have Wisdom Tooth Removal Done?
If you have impacted wisdom teeth, you’ll only be able to stop wisdom tooth pain from impacting you for so long. There will come a time when the only way to stop headaches and other wisdom tooth pain will be by having wisdom tooth removal done.
Removing your wisdom teeth during oral surgery will eliminate almost all the pain you currently feel fast. It’ll also prove to be what’s best for your long-term dental health.
Contact Us If You’re Experiencing Wisdom Tooth Problems
Do you have wisdom teeth that are starting to give you issues? You don’t have to suffer through wisdom teeth pain forever.
Now that you know the answer to the question, “Can wisdom teeth cause headaches?”, you should strive to have wisdom teeth that are causing headaches removed as soon as possible. It’ll make you feel so much more comfortable from now on.
Reach out to us at Santa Monica Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants to schedule oral surgery in Los Angeles for your wisdom teeth. We can also provide you with a wide range of other services, including all-on-four teeth, teeth in a day, and dental implants.
