Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches? Get Rid of It

Headaches are bothersome because of multiple causes, such as stress. Sometimes, an unexpected cause can also be hiding in your mouth – your wisdom teeth. Surprisingly, these back molars can be the reason behind headaches.

The following blog will cover questions: Can wisdom teeth cause headaches, why can these teeth lead to head pain, and how can you find relief? Come along and uncover how your wisdom teeth might have a connection to headaches.

Emerging Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars. Typically, they erupt from 17 to 25 years of age. They are present at the very back of your mouth. Some people may have all four wisdom teeth. Some may not have any at all.

When wisdom teeth emerge, they can cause pressure in your jaw area. This can affect the nerves and muscles that control your jaw movement. As a result, you may experience headaches, especially in the temples.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Sometimes, your wisdom teeth may not have enough room to grow properly in your mouth. This can cause them to become impacted.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause various dental problems, such as:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Cysts
• Damage to adjacent teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause headaches by creating inflammation in the surrounding tissues. The infection can extend to other body parts, such as your sinuses.

How Can Wisdom Teeth Be the Reason for Headache?

Your wisdom teeth can cause headaches by affecting the trigeminal nerve. This is a large nerve that runs from your brain to your face. It has three branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular. 

The ophthalmic branch controls the sensation in your forehead and nose. The maxillary branch controls the sensation in your cheeks and upper teeth. The mandibular branch controls the sensation in your lower jaw, teeth, and chin.

Wisdom teeth put pressure on the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve. This can trigger pain signals that travel to other branches of the nerve. It can cause headaches in different areas of your face.

Signs of a Wisdom Teeth Headache

Can wisdom teeth cause headaches? It depends on various signs. A wisdom teeth headache can have different symptoms depending on the severity of the impaction.

Tension or Pressure on Your Jaw

If your wisdom teeth are causing pressure on your jawbone, you may feel a tightness in your jaw area. You may also have difficulty opening your mouth, chewing, and speaking.

Side of Your Neck

If your wisdom teeth are affecting the nerves, you may feel pain in your neck area. You may also have swelling of the lymph nodes underneath your jaw and neck.

Blunt Migraine Occurs After Eating

You may experience a dull throbbing pain in your head after eating. This pain can be further accompanied by nausea and visual disturbances.

Types of Headaches Due to Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Daily Throbbing Headaches 

These are headaches that occur daily and last for several hours. They occur due to chronic inflammation in the gums. Stress and hormonal changes can trigger them as well.

Severe Migraines 

These are intense headaches that occur occasionally. They can last for a few hours to a few days. Severe migraines result from acute gum inflammation due to impacted wisdom teeth. Certain foods and environmental factors may also trigger them.

How to Get Rid of Wisdom Tooth Headaches?

The best way to get rid of headaches is to see your dentist. Your dentist will examine your mouth. They will take X-rays to determine the condition of your wisdom teeth. 

Depending on your situation, your dentist may recommend one of the following treatments:

• Antibiotics: Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria and reduce the inflammation.
• Painkillers: Your dentist may prescribe painkillers to relieve the discomfort. It would help if you took them as directed.
• Wisdom Tooth Extraction: If your wisdom teeth are driving severe pain, your dentist may suggest removing them. 

In addition to visiting your dentist, one can try some home cures to ease the pain caused by impacted wisdom teeth.

Some of them are:

Salt Water Rinse

Flushing the mouth with warm salt water can help clean the affected area. It can reduce swelling and infection. You can do this several times a day until you see your dentist.

Take an Aspirin

Taking an aspirin can help reduce the pain. However, you should not take aspirin if you are allergic to it. You should also avoid taking aspirin before your wisdom tooth extraction. It can increase the risk of bleeding.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Applying a hot/cold compress to your cheek can help soothe the pain. You can alternate between hot and cold every 15 minutes for up to an hour. However, you should not apply heat/ice directly to your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can wisdom teeth removal help headaches?

Yes, tooth removal can help headaches caused by impacted wisdom teeth. You can relieve the pain by removing the source of pressure and infection.

Can something stuck in your teeth give you a headache?

Yes, something stuck in your teeth can give you a headache. This can trigger pain signals that travel to other parts of your head. It would help if you tried to remove the foreign object with dental floss. Also, rinse your mouth with warm water.

How long do dental headaches last?

Dental headaches can last for different durations depending on the cause of the pain. Some of them may last for a few minutes to a few hours. While others may last for several days to weeks. You should see your dentist for diagnosis and treatment for persistent dental headaches.

Can teeth cause headaches without toothache?

Yes, teeth can cause headaches without toothache if they affect the nerves that supply the head. Even if your tooth doesn’t hurt, an infection in your jawbone can lead to persistent pain in your head.

What is dental sepsis?

Dental sepsis occurs when a dental infection spreads to other body parts. It can induce symptoms such as fever and even death. Dental sepsis requires immediate medical attention and treatment with antibiotics.

Conclusion

Your wisdom teeth can cause headaches by putting pressure on your jawbone and sinuses. This can result in different types of headaches depending on the location of the impaction. The best way to get rid of headaches is to see your dentist. 

You can prevent further problems and enjoy a healthy smile with proper care. We hope this blog has been helpful. Now you have clarity about can wisdom teeth cause headaches.