You have been getting headaches and your dentist mentioned your wisdom teeth. Are the two connected? Here is what the evidence says about wisdom teeth and head pain.
It is a reasonable question. Your wisdom teeth sit right at the hinge of your jaw, and that hinge is connected to muscles and nerves that run up the side of your head and around your temple. When something is wrong back there, it can send pain elsewhere.
How wisdom teeth might cause headaches
Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth create an uneven bite. Your jaw tries to compensate, and that puts strain on the muscles around your jaw joint and temples. Those muscles, when overworked, refer pain to your head.
This is called referred pain — the headache you feel is not actually in your head, it is in your jaw joint and surrounding muscles, but your brain interprets it as a headache.
The trigeminal nerve runs behind your upper and lower wisdom teeth. Irritation or pressure on this nerve from an impacted tooth can send pain signals along its length — straight to your head.
Could it be migraines?
True migraines are a neurological condition with specific triggers and symptoms — sensitivity to light, nausea, visual disturbances. Wisdom teeth do not typically cause classic migraines.
What they can cause is tension-type headaches. These feel like a dull ache or pressure, often worse at the back of the head or temples. They come from muscle tension, and jaw strain from problem wisdom teeth is a known contributor.
Signs your wisdom teeth might be the culprit
The headaches tend to be worse in the morning. That is because clenching or grinding at night — often triggered by dental pain — builds up tension while you sleep.
You might also have jaw pain, difficulty opening your mouth fully, or tenderness around your back molars. These accompanying symptoms point toward a dental cause rather than a primary headache disorder.
What to do about it
See your dentist if your headaches started around the same time your wisdom teeth were coming through, or if you have jaw symptoms alongside the head pain.
X-rays show exactly what is happening with your wisdom teeth — whether they are impacted, infected, or causing bite problems. From there, treatment options become clear.
Do not guess
Headaches have many causes. Before assuming your wisdom teeth are to blame, get a proper dental assessment. We can rule other causes in or out and address the actual source of your pain.
Get it checked
If you are suffering from headaches and think your wisdom teeth might be involved, we can help. Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com
Meads Village Dental Practice