can wisdom teeth cause jaw pain
I am dealing with some pretty bad pain in my jaw that I've been thinking could be from my wisdom teeth. I mean, I've been feeling this constant ache for weeks now, and it's like a dull throb mostly on my left side. I wasn't really sure what was going on at first, but after doing some searching online, I started wonderin’ can wisdom teeth cause jaw pain? My mom says she had her wisdom teeth out ages ago, and she had a lot of pain before, which makes me think maybe that’s what’s happening to me too. I haven’t even been able to chew my favorite foods without feeling like my jaw is gonna just lock up or something. I did see a dentist last week, and they mentioned that my wisdom teeth are still impacted. They said I should probably get them out, but now I'm just kinda freaking out about the pain. Can wisdom teeth cause jaw pain like this? Or could it be something else? I just want to know if others have felt this too and what it could mean, because I feel like I'm losing my mind with all this discomfort. Pain meds help a little, but it’s still there, you know?
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Doctors' responses
Yes, wisdom teeth can definitely cause jaw pain, especially if they’re impacted, as you’ve mentioned. Impacted wisdom teeth are those that don’t have enough room to emerge or develop normally and, as a result, can be trapped beneath the gum or only partially erupt. This can lead to a dull, throbbing pain similar to what you’re describing. When wisdom teeth are trying to push through, it puts pressure on the surrounding teeth and tissues, which often causes pain in the jaw and even headaches sometimes. Your discomfort during chewing or the feeling like your jaw might lock are also not uncommon symptoms when wisdom teeth are involved.
Keeping your dental check-up in mind, it sounds like the dentist is leaning towards having these teeth extracted, which is a common recommendation for impacted wisdom teeth, especially if they’re causing pain or risk affecting other teeth. This usually alleviates the pain once they are removed and the area heals. Meanwhile, regular pain relief like over-the-counter pain meds, as well as maintaining good oral hygiene, including gentle brushing and using a mouth rinse with warm salt water, might help to manage some symptoms until you’re able to have the extraction. If the pain gets worse, or you notice swelling, fever, or difficulty opening your mouth more than usual —those could be signs of an infection or another issue that would need prompt attention, so reaching out to your dentist or healthcare provider then would be wise. It’s good that you’ve already seen your dentist—they can guide you in planning next steps based on your specific situation, which is key in managing and resolving the pain effectively.
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