Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Recurring Ear Pain and Sore Throats
Wisdom teeth are often the bane of human existence, causing excruciating pain and discomfort to countless individuals worldwide. When these molars begin to emerge, it is essential to conduct a timely examination to ensure that they are coming in correctly.
Wisdom teeth are late bloomers, generally making an appearance during early adulthood, typically before the age of 25. While it is natural to experience some degree of soreness, the question remains – but how much pain, exactly, is normal?
The reason people feel too much pain with wisdom teeth when these teeth appear is overcrowding in the mouth. If there is insufficient space for these molars to emerge, they may require removal. However, if an adequate room is available, the discomfort should not be too severe. Moreover, there is no need to extract these teeth, which is a significant relief!
Most individuals experience overcrowding in their mouths, and in extreme cases, the emergence of wisdom teeth may be impeded. Failure to extract the tooth promptly may result in:
- Earache
- Sore jaw
- Swollen Gums Tenderness
- Inflamed gums
So, the question arises that can wisdom teeth cause ear pain? Yes, wisdom teeth can cause ear pain. But what about sore throat?
When teeth develop problems they can become infected with bacteria. It can be very hard to get the brush or it may make it painful for you to brush or floss. It also could cause infection. If it does, symptoms include sore throat fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
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How Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Recurring Ear Pain and Sore Throats
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause recurring ear pain and sore throats because they can create an environment in which bacteria can accumulate and infections can develop. When wisdom teeth are impacted, they do not fully emerge from the gums and can become partially or fully trapped in the jawbone. This can create pockets where bacteria can thrive, leading to infections that can spread to nearby areas such as the ears and throat. The pressure and inflammation from these infections can cause recurring ear pain and sore throats. In severe cases, removal of the impacted wisdom teeth may be necessary to prevent further infections and discomfort.
Can my wisdom teeth be causing an ear infection?
If you have ear infections, we recommend visiting a doctor who treats ear infections. Unless there is no ear infection, the wisdom teeth can cause pain that radiates in that place. Sometimes wisdom teeth are confused with ears infection. Consult your local dentist for an accurate diagnosis.
1. The Basics of Infected Wisdom Teeth
An impacted wisdom tooth occurs when the tooth is unable to fully emerge through the gum tissue, often causing it to be crooked instead of upright. If an impacted wisdom tooth is not promptly removed, a range of additional problems can arise.
When a wisdom tooth is impacted or only partially emerges, it can cause infection. This can occur when the impacted tooth applies pressure on the neighboring molar, leading to tooth displacement. Consequently, gaps and crevices are formed between teeth that are difficult to clean during brushing. As a result, these gaps serve as ideal breeding grounds for food debris and bacteria, which eventually lead to the formation of cavities and decay. Untreated tooth decay leads to infection, which can quickly spread throughout the mouth.
2. Common Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth emerge from the gums, a certain amount of discomfort is normal. But in cases where the tooth is impacted, complications feel pain can arise swiftly.
While certain impacted wisdom teeth may not result in pain or difficulties, some of the most prevalent signs of an impacted wisdom tooth can include:
- Pain or discomfort in the back of the mouth where the wisdom teeth are located.
- Swelling or redness around the affected area.
- Difficulty opening the mouth or swallowing.
- Unpleasant taste or odor in the mouth.
- Earache or headache.
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw or neck.
- Development of cysts or tumors in severe cases.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you should consult a dentist right once to avoid future oral health issues.
3. Persistent Pain and Infection Should Never Be Ignored
When your wisdom teeth are removed, it can cause pain or irritation in the teeth and when opening and closing them. The damage on a tooth impacted may not cause any discomfort, and you may forget about the problem. Often when an overlying tissue swells and starts to cause irritation to the surrounding gum tissue and jawline. These pains usually last for several days before disappearing completely in the first weeks or months. The pain usually becomes worse and lasts longer if it remains untreated after the teeth have been extracted.
4. How do I resolve my ear pain if it’s caused by a wisdom tooth?
Sadly, only a dental practitioner can remove a wisdom tooth from a patient. During the extraction, the pain may not be gone completely. During surgery, the body usually resolves the wisdom tooth pain itself within one or two weeks. When wisdom teeth have bruising and swelling, the dentist will usually prescribe antiseptics to reduce the swelling. This antimicrobial can help to relieve headaches.
5. Finding Relief With Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Having your impacted wisdom teeth removed can be a necessary procedure if you have an infected wisdom tooth. If left untreated, an infected wisdom tooth can cause persistent pain and lead to further infection in the surrounding areas. The removal of wisdom teeth is a common solution to alleviate discomfort and prevent future dental problems. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth may need to be surgically removed to prevent damage to nearby teeth and alleviate symptoms such as recurring ear pain and sore throat. It’s necessary to get quick dental care if you notice any painful symptoms or indications of infection in order to avoid developing more serious issues.
Ear Infection Symptoms: What Your Tooth Pain Could Be Telling You
The symptoms of an ear infection can differ depending on the location of the infection. Some common symptoms include earache, fever, dizziness, and nausea. However, there is a lesser-known symptom that can be linked to an ear infection: toothache.
Surprisingly, an untreated ear infection can lead to toothache. While the pain can be alleviated, individuals who suffer from chronic ear infections may wonder if the issue can have lasting effects on their dental health. Below, we’ll explore the connection between ear infections and oral health in more detail.
1. Oral health and ear infection symptoms
When the tongue hurts, it can be accompanied by an infection in the ears that causes it. Undiagnosed ear infections can lead to a painful tooth rash. Fortunately, pain can be treated by using prescription pain relief products. An ear infection that occurs regularly is not an issue.
2. Does poor oral hygiene affect your ears?
Since bacterial buildup in the ears frequently results in infections and the mouth serves as a breeding ground for bacteria, poor oral hygiene appears to be the root cause of ear infections. Unexpectedly, a study revealed no conclusive evidence of a connection between ear infections and poor oral hygiene. The pain you could experience in your teeth and jaw if your ears are infected is all that connects mouth and ear infections.
3. Treatment of ear infections
The treatment of ear infections in humans typically involves the use of antibiotics to fight the bacterial infection causing the symptoms. In addition to antibiotics, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be recommended to alleviate discomfort. If the infection is severe or recurrent, a specialist may recommend a more aggressive treatment plan, such as inserting ear tubes to help drain fluid from the middle ear or surgery to remove infected tissue.
It is important to seek medical attention promptly if you suspect an ear infection, as untreated infections can lead to serious complications such as hearing loss or the spread of infection to nearby areas of the body.
4. Relieve toothache
If you are experiencing ear pain that is also causing discomfort in your teeth or jaw, you may find relief by using over-the-counter pain relievers that are typically used for ear pain. It is usually not necessary to obtain prescription painkillers for ear infections, but you should inform your doctor if the pain becomes unbearable. To prevent tooth and gum pain resulting from tooth decay or gingivitis, it is recommended that you maintain proper oral hygiene by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, scheduling regular visits to your dentist for professional cleanings, and avoiding sugary foods.
5. Discuss with your dentist.
It is always a good idea to discuss any concerns or symptoms related to your teeth and gums with your dentist. Your dentist can examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine if impacted wisdom teeth or other dental issues are the cause of your discomfort. They can also recommend treatments such as tooth extraction or antibiotics for infected wisdom teeth. Regular visits to the dentist can also help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, reducing the risk of dental pain in the future.