The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge in the mouth. Usually, they come through in your late teens or early 20s. An erupting wisdom tooth can be detected through a routine X-ray. But most won’t know that the wisdom teeth are already coming in until they begin to experience the symptoms that come with it.
And inarguably the worst warning sign of a growing wisdom tooth is severe pain.
Pain of the wisdom tooth can involve half the face, affecting the ears, neck, and temple. But why does it happen? Here we give you the lowdown about the wisdom tooth and the neck pains and headaches that may also occur.
Wisdom Teeth Neck Pain
Neck pain occurs when jaw joints become swollen as the erupting wisdom tooth presses against your other teeth. This pressure moves the teeth out of position and alters your natural bite, causing discomfort to the jaw joints and neck. The pain can be heightened whenever you open and close your mouth and whenever you eat.
The inflammation may also spread up to the ear. So, neck pains are usually accompanied by earaches. For some, the symptoms may be so severe that they hear a ringing sound in their ear.
Wisdom Teeth Headaches
Headaches may also occur as a result of bite problems. When an erupted wisdom tooth starts to come out, it may push against the adjacent teeth to cause crowding. Eventually, your teeth will shift in position and cause problems with your bite.
Bite issues may also occur due to pressure and tension in the jaw as you adjust to the new positions of your teeth.
With an unnaturally positioned bite and pressure from an erupting wisdom tooth, you can experience pain that radiates from the jaw up to the temples. This causes headaches that may make it difficult to go about your daily life.
Another reason why widespread pain and discomfort is a common symptom with an impacted wisdom tooth is because of the dense nerve supply in the area. The nerves on the jaws are interconnected with the ones that go up to your head and down to the neck. This can cause dispersed pain that can be felt on half of the face.
Other Complications of the Wisdom Teeth
Aside from pain, other complications that you may encounter with an erupting wisdom tooth are:
Tooth Decay
Because the wisdom tooth is located too far back in the mouth, it may be hard to reach and clean it. This causes plaque build-up which can lead to tooth decay. Also, an impacted wisdom tooth that is pressing against the tooth next to it may trap food and cause cavities.
Bad Breath
The unpleasant smell can be due to an impacted wisdom tooth that has trapped food, bacteria, and plaque in its gum tissue.
Gum Disease or Gum Pouch
A gum pouch is a flap of gum that covers part of the tooth. With an impacted tooth, the gum pouch can trap food, bacteria, and debris causing infection. This can be severely painful and will require urgent care for relief.
Facial Swelling
Swelling of half the face may occur with widespread infection due to a severely decayed impacted wisdom tooth. Facial swelling due to the wisdom tooth should be treated with emergency extraction to prevent further complications.
Solution for Wisdom Teeth Neck Pain and Headaches
With the problems associated with an impacted wisdom tooth, the best solution is to get rid of it. Some may consider early removal of the wisdom tooth as a preventive measure. This will prevent future dental complications such as neck pain and headaches. Also, early removal makes for an easier and less complicated case.
However, if you are already experiencing these symptoms, do not fret because we have a highly skilled team at Arbutus Station Dental who can help relieve you of pain.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
There are 5 general steps involved in the removal of the wisdom tooth. Here’s what you can expect:
- Treatment planning
First, we have to assess your X-rays and scans to determine the exact position and location of the wisdom tooth. This will help with proper planning on how to safely and effectively remove the tooth without affecting the surrounding vessels and nerves.
- Anesthesia
Once planning is set, the next step is the surgery proper in which anesthesia is administered. This can be through local anesthetics or sedation dentistry. This will numb the area and provide you with the utmost comfort during the procedure.
- Tooth access
Then, a flap is created on the gum to access the tooth. Some amount of bone may also be removed to help with ease of removal.
- Tooth sectioning and removal
Depending on the position of the tooth, sectioning may also be done. This technique involves separating the tooth into parts to facilitate easier removal. Otherwise, your dentist can also retrieve the tooth as a whole.
- Sutures
With all the parts of the tooth removed, the last step in the process is to close the wound using sutures. This is to prevent food and bacteria from going into the extraction site. Sutures prevent complications and hasten your recovery from surgery.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Aftercare
With the wisdom tooth and its symptoms removed, the next goal is to recover.
Some of the best tips for excellent healing are:
- Rest. Allow your body to heal on its own.
- If there is bleeding, bite on a gauze and keep pressure.
- Take your medications as prescribed.
- Apply a cold compress intermittently to relieve swollen cheeks.
- Avoid heavy work, lifting, and exercise.
- Maintain good oral hygiene.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
Recovery from wisdom tooth surgery differs for everyone. On average, it should take one to two weeks. Make sure to follow your dentist’s post-surgery instructions. If there is persistent pain or bleeding, contact your dentist immediately so they can provide you with proper guidance.
Wisdom Teeth – Conclusion
If you have a nagging pain in your neck, head, and the back of your mouth, it may be time to get your wisdom tooth checked. The earlier we can provide treatment, the earlier you can be relieved of any discomfort.
Contact us today at Arbutus Station Dental to schedule your appointment!