If you’re wondering if wisdom teeth cause headaches the answer is yes. Wisdom teeth can cause headaches especially when they are first coming in. The process of wisdom teeth erupting can cause pressure and discomfort in the jaw area. For some people, this added pressure can cause headaches. However, once they have grown to their full extent this typically stops. This article discusses what to do if you’re experiencing pain while wisdom teeth are coming in and what that means for your oral health.
How Can I Treat Headaches Caused by Wisdom Teeth
Typically, there are really only a few options for treating headaches caused by wisdom teeth:
Wait it out
For most people, the pain associated with wisdom teeth is only temporary. As your wisdom teeth finish growing in, the pain will go away. This means, that for cases of mild discomfort, the best thing you can do is simply wait it out.
Typically the only time to worry about headaches when wisdom teeth are coming in is if the pain is severe and/or there is severe swelling around the area. If you’re experiencing headaches that are so bad they interfere with your daily life, there are other options available.
Additionally, if you are experiencing severe swelling around the area the tooth is coming out this may be a sign of infection. In this case, you should see a dentist right away as it could turn into a much bigger problem.
Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relief Medication
If you’re experiencing pain that is interfering with your daily life, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. This will help to ease the discomfort and make it more manageable.
This can include over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen (Advil) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Typically over-the-counter pain medication takes around 30 minutes to an hour to work and will last for approximately four to six hours. If you have severe pain, dentists may recommend taking over-the-counter medication more frequently than recommended on the bottle. Just be sure to check with your dentist or surgeon first as they will know what is best for you based on your individual case.
See Your Dentist for More Intense Situations
If you’re in a lot of pain, it may be necessary to see your dentist. They can prescribe you a stronger medication to help with the pain. This includes Tylenol-3. Additionally, if you have an infection they will be able to give you antibiotics to clear it up.
Dentists will also be able to take a closer look at your wisdom teeth to see if there is anything out of the ordinary that may require a wisdom tooth removal.
Does a Headache Mean My Wisdom Teeth Will Need to be Removed?
No, not necessarily. In fact, many people who have wisdom teeth never experience any problems with them and don’t need to have them removed. The fact that you had a headache while they were coming in doesn’t necessarily mean that you will need to get them removed and there are many benefits to keeping your wisdom teeth. In general, these are the signs that dentists look for when recommending removal:
When should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
- If your wisdom tooth has cavities (dental caries)
- If your wisdom tooth is infected
- If the wisdom tooth has a cyst
- If you are unable to keep the wisdom teeth clean
Under What Circumstances Should I Not Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
- When your wisdom teeth are FULLY impacted (completely covered and sealed off by the gum tissue) they do not need to be removed. Since food and bacteria can NOT get to the wisdom teeth, there is a less than 5% chance of ever having any complications
- When food and bacteria can get to the wisdom teeth BUT you keep the wisdom teeth clean they do not need to be removed
- When you are over the age of 30 and have never had problems with your wisdom teeth they do not need to be removed
Disclaimer
The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this website constitutes the practice of medicine, law or any other regulated profession.
No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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