Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?

Headaches can be caused by a lot of different things. Dehydration, sickness, stress, and even things like alcohol use are associated with headaches. But could your wisdom teeth be the culprit behind your frequent headaches? And can you get relief if you get wisdom tooth extractions in Fairfax? Let’s get into the details in this blog from Healthy Smiles Dentistry.
‍

Yes, Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Headaches‍

If you’re a young adult and you’re starting to get more frequent headaches, it could be because of your wisdom teeth. The wisdom teeth are your third and final set of molars. And, uniquely, they come out much later than your other teeth. While your second set of molars usually come out around the age of 12-13, your wisdom teeth will typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25.

Because they come out so much later than your other teeth, there often isn’t enough room for your wisdom teeth to grow into your mouth properly. Your wisdom teeth may place pressure on your other teeth, grow in at an angle, or fail to completely emerge from your gums.

This can lead to jaw pain, stiffness, and soreness that may contribute to headaches. Changes in your bite caused by the emergence of your wisdom teeth may also contribute to headaches. When your teeth fit together differently, the pressure of biting and chewing is distributed differently, which could cause pain. 
‍

Recognizing Other Common Signs Of Unhealthy Wisdom Teeth‍

Wisdom teeth can cause headaches. But lots of other things can cause headaches, too. If you want to narrow things down, you may want to look for other signs that your wisdom teeth are growing into your mouth improperly. If your headaches are being caused by unhealthy wisdom teeth, you may recognize signs like:

• Gum swelling and tenderness – When your wisdom teeth don’t grow into your mouth properly, the nearby gum tissue is likely to become swollen and inflamed. If the gums near the back of your mouth look swollen and red and are tender, you may have unhealthy wisdom teeth.

• Frequent gum bleeding – Gum inflammation and infection also makes your gums bleed more easily when you brush them. If you’re noticing more blood in your saliva when you brush, this could indicate issues with your wisdom teeth.
  
  
• Jaw soreness and stiffness – When your wisdom teeth don’t emerge properly, this may also cause jaw pain, stiffness, and soreness. If you’re experiencing discomfort when you chew or you’re having trouble opening and closing your mouth, this is a common sign of problems with your wisdom teeth.
  
  
• Bad breath (halitosis) – When your wisdom teeth or the nearby gums become infected, bacteria will begin to build up, which may lead to bad breath (halitosis). If you’re experiencing bad breath that won’t go away, you should definitely see a dentist.

‍

Worried About Your Wisdom Teeth? Come To Healthy Smiles Dentistry!‍

Your wisdom teeth are a natural part of your mouth. And if they grow into your mouth properly, there’s no reason to have them extracted. But if your wisdom teeth are causing headaches, pain, discomfort, and other symptoms, they may need to come out.

If you think that you may need wisdom tooth extractions in Fairfax, Dr. Ridhi Doshi-Shah and the team at Healthy Smiles Dentistry are here to help. As a conservative dentist, Dr. Doshi will only recommend wisdom tooth extractions if she thinks they are truly necessary to protect your oral health. Give us a call at (703) 915-7330 to schedule an appointment, or feel free to contact us online if you have any more questions.