Wisdom teeth, the third molars that typically show up between the ages of 17 and 25, are notorious for causing mouth pain, jaw discomfort, and other dental issues. With this reputation, it’s no surprise that people often ask themselves, can wisdom teeth cause headaches?
While many never have to worry about wisdom teeth causing headaches, complications are incredibly common. Wisdom teeth have the potential to cause a range of problems from jaw and mouth pain to — you guessed it — headaches.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars located at the back of the mouth. They served an important role in the tough, plant-based diets of our ancestors but have become problematic as our diets have changed.
Because of this, human jaws became smaller, leaving less room for the molars to emerge. Unfortunately, for this reason, wisdom teeth often become impacted, meaning they do not come in fully or are at awkward angles when they do.
The pressure this puts on the surrounding teeth, jaws, and nerves is often why wisdom teeth cause headaches. Pressure, inflammation, and nerve compression can all contribute greatly to headaches.
Also, tension headaches can arise when the pressure from your wisdom teeth causes excessive muscle tension in the jaw and head. This type of headache usually feels like a dull, persistent pain. If you have issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), you may be more at risk for this type of headache.
For those of you prone to migraines, it is important to be vigilant when it comes to wisdom teeth headaches. Extra pressure on the nerves, muscles, and joints of the jaw and head may trigger migraines.
No need to worry, though! Just be sure to discuss any concerns at your dentist appointment. We have all the solutions you need at our Fort Collins office in Northern Colorado.
Signs and Symptoms that Your Wisdom Teeth are Causing Headaches
The earlier you can recognize the signs and symptoms of wisdom teeth issues, the better chances you have at avoiding complications.
Dental Symptoms
Pain and discomfort: Persistent pain in the back of the mouth, especially during chewing.
Swelling and redness: Inflammation around the wisdom teeth area.
Headache Symptoms
Location and intensity: Headaches that are concentrated around the temples or the back of the head, often described as a dull ache.
Duration and frequency: Chronic or recurring headaches that coincide with wisdom teeth-related discomfort.
Seeking Professional Advice
Regular dental check-ups play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing wisdom teeth issues before they escalate. A clinical exam, X-rays, and other diagnostic procedures are vital for assessing the position and health of wisdom teeth.
If headaches are persistent, schedule an appointment at our Northern Colorado office in Fort Collins for an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment Options When Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches
When wisdom teeth cause headaches, there are a few options for treatment. The appropriate route to take will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the health of your wisdom teeth. Always consult your dentist for professional advice.
The first line of defense to prevent wisdom teeth from causing headaches is to maintain good oral hygiene. Never underestimate the power of proper brushing and flossing!
To manage pain, over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil are often helpful. Cold and warm compresses on the affected areas can also provide a bit of temporary relief.
When complications with wisdom teeth become more advanced, your dentist may decide a surgical intervention is necessary. Sometimes, extraction of the teeth is the only real way to alleviate the pressure and related symptoms. As with any surgery, proper aftercare is essential for a speedy recovery.
Our Fort Collins office can answer any questions you have about wisdom teeth extraction and aftercare.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches? Frequently Asked Questions
Can wisdom teeth cause headaches after they are extracted?
After extraction, headaches and other symptoms usually clear up within a few days after the procedure. However, some chronic headaches can be linked to wisdom teeth issues.
If left unchecked for too long, the prolonged pressure and inflammation associated with impacted wisdom teeth may cause nerve damage. This can lead to persistent headaches, even after the teeth have been extracted.
To avoid this, make sure to address wisdom teeth issues as soon as possible.
What do wisdom teeth headaches feel like?
You can usually identify wisdom teeth headaches by a dull, aching throb that is centered in the jaw, temples, and the back of the mouth. These headaches can range from mild discomfort to severe, blinding pain.
These are only general signs and symptoms. Remember that, while wisdom teeth cause headaches, so do a wide variety of other factors. Sleep, diet, hydration, stress, and sinus problems can all contribute to headaches.
Be sure to discuss symptoms with your Fort Collins dentist.
Can wisdom teeth cause headaches later in life?
Yes. Occasionally wisdom teeth cause headaches long after they emerge. Even if your wisdom teeth came in without complications, they still have the potential to cause issues down the road.
If you start experiencing any of the symptoms we discussed today, give our Northern Colorado office a call to schedule an appointment. Your dentist can work with you to come up with the best solutions for your dental health.
Wisdom Wrap-Up
So, can wisdom teeth cause headaches? Unfortunately, yes. The pressure, inflammation, and nerve compression that come along with impacted wisdom teeth can lead to headaches, jaw pressure, mouth pain, and more. It’s not all doom and gloom though!
Regular dental check-ups, proper oral hygiene, and an overall proactive approach can help you avoid, or at least minimize, headaches and other wisdom teeth-related symptoms.
Wisdom teeth, the third molars that typically show up between the ages of 17 and 25, are notorious for causing mouth pain, jaw discomfort, and other dental issues. With this reputation, it’s no surprise that people often ask themselves, can wisdom teeth cause headaches?
Wisdom teeth, the third molars that typically show up between the ages of 17 and 25, are notorious for causing mouth pain, jaw discomfort, and other dental issues. With this reputation, it’s no surprise that people often ask themselves, can wisdom teeth cause headaches?
While many never have to worry about wisdom teeth causing headaches, complications are incredibly common. Wisdom teeth have the potential to cause a range of problems from jaw and mouth pain to — you guessed it — headaches.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars located at the back of the mouth. They served an important role in the tough, plant-based diets of our ancestors but have become problematic as our diets have changed.
Because of this, human jaws became smaller, leaving less room for the molars to emerge. Unfortunately, for this reason, wisdom teeth often become impacted, meaning they do not come in fully or are at awkward angles when they do.
The pressure this puts on the surrounding teeth, jaws, and nerves is often why wisdom teeth cause headaches. Pressure, inflammation, and nerve compression can all contribute greatly to headaches.
Also, tension headaches can arise when the pressure from your wisdom teeth causes excessive muscle tension in the jaw and head. This type of headache usually feels like a dull, persistent pain. If you have issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), you may be more at risk for this type of headache.
For those of you prone to migraines, it is important to be vigilant when it comes to wisdom teeth headaches. Extra pressure on the nerves, muscles, and joints of the jaw and head may trigger migraines.
No need to worry, though! Just be sure to discuss any concerns at your dentist appointment. We have all the solutions you need at our Fort Collins office in Northern Colorado.
Signs and Symptoms that Your Wisdom Teeth are Causing Headaches
The earlier you can recognize the signs and symptoms of wisdom teeth issues, the better chances you have at avoiding complications.
Dental Symptoms
Pain and discomfort: Persistent pain in the back of the mouth, especially during chewing.
Swelling and redness: Inflammation around the wisdom teeth area.
Headache Symptoms
Location and intensity: Headaches that are concentrated around the temples or the back of the head, often described as a dull ache.
Duration and frequency: Chronic or recurring headaches that coincide with wisdom teeth-related discomfort.
Seeking Professional Advice
Regular dental check-ups play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing wisdom teeth issues before they escalate. A clinical exam, X-rays, and other diagnostic procedures are vital for assessing the position and health of wisdom teeth.
If headaches are persistent, schedule an appointment at our Northern Colorado office in Fort Collins for an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment Options When Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches
When wisdom teeth cause headaches, there are a few options for treatment. The appropriate route to take will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the health of your wisdom teeth. Always consult your dentist for professional advice.
The first line of defense to prevent wisdom teeth from causing headaches is to maintain good oral hygiene. Never underestimate the power of proper brushing and flossing!
To manage pain, over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil are often helpful. Cold and warm compresses on the affected areas can also provide a bit of temporary relief.
When complications with wisdom teeth become more advanced, your dentist may decide a surgical intervention is necessary. Sometimes, extraction of the teeth is the only real way to alleviate the pressure and related symptoms. As with any surgery, proper aftercare is essential for a speedy recovery.
Our Fort Collins office can answer any questions you have about wisdom teeth extraction and aftercare.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches? Frequently Asked Questions
Can wisdom teeth cause headaches after they are extracted?
After extraction, headaches and other symptoms usually clear up within a few days after the procedure. However, some chronic headaches can be linked to wisdom teeth issues.
If left unchecked for too long, the prolonged pressure and inflammation associated with impacted wisdom teeth may cause nerve damage. This can lead to persistent headaches, even after the teeth have been extracted.
To avoid this, make sure to address wisdom teeth issues as soon as possible.
What do wisdom teeth headaches feel like?
You can usually identify wisdom teeth headaches by a dull, aching throb that is centered in the jaw, temples, and the back of the mouth. These headaches can range from mild discomfort to severe, blinding pain.
These are only general signs and symptoms. Remember that, while wisdom teeth cause headaches, so do a wide variety of other factors. Sleep, diet, hydration, stress, and sinus problems can all contribute to headaches.
Be sure to discuss symptoms with your Fort Collins dentist.
Can wisdom teeth cause headaches later in life?
Yes. Occasionally wisdom teeth cause headaches long after they emerge. Even if your wisdom teeth came in without complications, they still have the potential to cause issues down the road.
If you start experiencing any of the symptoms we discussed today, give our Northern Colorado office a call to schedule an appointment. Your dentist can work with you to come up with the best solutions for your dental health.
Wisdom Wrap-Up
So, can wisdom teeth cause headaches? Unfortunately, yes. The pressure, inflammation, and nerve compression that come along with impacted wisdom teeth can lead to headaches, jaw pressure, mouth pain, and more. It’s not all doom and gloom though!
Regular dental check-ups, proper oral hygiene, and an overall proactive approach can help you avoid, or at least minimize, headaches and other wisdom teeth-related symptoms.