Ever dealt with a weird headache that just won’t go away? While there are many reasons why your head might hurt, a wisdom tooth could also be the culprit.
In fact, it’s actually one of the most common symptoms of wisdom tooth eruption. Keep reading this article to find out why a wisdom tooth can make your head hurt and what you can do to relieve your discomfort.
Wisdom teeth are essentially your third set of molars. They usually start erupting at about 17-25 years old. The wisdom tooth erupts from the jawbone and puts pressure on all the tissue surrounding it, such as the bone, gums, and even your surrounding teeth.
The issue is that wisdom teeth are quite large, so when they erupt, they usually cause a little bit of pain and discomfort. They can put extra pressure on the ear muscles, making it a bit painful to bite and chew and leading to headaches. Some patients can also experience neck pain because of a wisdom tooth since its eruption will increase pressure in the jaw, which is known to travel down to the neck.
So while it may seem strange for a tooth to cause a headache, it’s actually a rather common and natural symptom. And in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about.
Your pain and discomfort will only last until the wisdom tooth has fully erupted. The issue is, depending on how much room they have to grow as well as your body, it can take months or even years for the tooth to fully erupt.
While this doesn’t mean you will be stuck with your new headache for years, it does mean that these symptoms can come and go as the tooth tries to make its way through the jawbone.
Headaches caused by wisdom tooth eruption are usually mild and don’t last very long. Most patients can manage them with OTC pain medication very well.
However, if you experience serious headaches that won’t go away, you may need to see a dentist right away. Wisdom teeth that cannot erupt can cause more painful symptoms, such as:
These are often signs of an impacted wisdom tooth, and the only way to reduce your discomfort is through extraction.
If you suspect your wisdom tooth might be impacted or is otherwise causing headaches, pain, and discomfort, Dr. Carly Cassleman can help.
Book a consultation at St. Clair Tooth Co. online to get started. For more information about us and our services in St. Clair Shores, call us at (586) 404-4911 for a chat.
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