Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Ear Pain

September 15, 2024 mahmad767395@gmail.com

Table of Contents

Introduction

Wisdom teeth, more commonly referred to as third molars, can be a source of discomfort in a variety of ways once they erupt. Ear pain is included in this list. Considering that these often come in around the end of the teenage years, it is a pretty common cause of ear pain. Here are 10 key points that outline how wisdom teeth and ear pain relate. We use simple words and explanations.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

The last teeth are called the third molars or the wisdom teeth and they are supposed to come out in late teens or early twenties. Depending on whether there is enough room in your mouths, some of you have enough and others don’t, with associated problems.

Most people have four wisdom teeth.
They don’t always come in properly.
Many have to have them removed.

Another reason why they can cause ear pain is just because they grow in the very back of your mouth. If they erupt improperly or become infected, the pain can radiate, sometimes to the ears.

Symptoms of Problematic Wisdom Teeth

Many people do not experience issues with their wisdom teeth; however, for many of those who are affected, these symptoms can be quite unbearable. Symptoms include swelling, tenderness, and pain within the jaw.

Pain on the lower back side of your jaw.
Red, sore gums surround the tooth.
Headaches or earaches.

Ear pain is commonly due to pressure or an infection caused by the wisdom tooth. The pain might even be mistaken for that of an ear infection or other ear problems.

Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Ear Pain Directly?

Yes, wisdom teeth can indeed cause ear pain directly. Your jaw, teeth, and ears are all connected by nerves. So, if you have a problem with your wisdom teeth, you can expect to have an ear-related issue as well.

Pain radiates to the ears.
There are shared nerve pathways in the teeth and ears.
The sensation may be described as an earache, but it started inside the mouth.

Where the lower wisdom teeth come at awkward angles or get impacted, pressure against the tissue may bring about ear pain.

Wisdom Teeth and How They Can Cause Ear Pain

An impacted wisdom tooth is one that does not have enough room to erupt into place normally. This condition is more likely going to be painful, and ear pain fall in that category as well.

The tooth is stuck inside the gum or bone.
Pain can sometimes radiate to surrounding areas, such as the ears.
Impacted teeth often must be extracted.

The source could be your ears ache or feel pressure if you think that is so and your wisdom teeth don’t completely erupt.

Wisdom Teeth Infections and Ear Pain

A serious problem is infected wisdom teeth, which causes pain to spread beyond your mouth. It could cause the tissue around your infected tooth to swell up, causing you a great deal of pain in the surrounding areas, including, of course, the ears.

Infection causes swelling and pain.
Pain can radiate into your ears and neck.
Treating the infection usually makes ear pain disappear.

Ear pain with a sore, swollen jaw could be the result of an infected wisdom tooth.

What Ear Pain from Wisdom Teeth Feels Like

Ear pain due to the pressure exerted by impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth may feel like a dull throb or throbbing ache. For other people, ear pain resulting from the eruption of wisdom teeth is sharp and certainly hurts when the person chews.

It could be constant or it could come and go at random.
It could even worsen when you attempt to eat.
It may start from mild to severe level depending on the stage it has reached.

Wisdom teeth may not result in a sharp, stabbing pain initially. The pain can begin small and continue to intensify, affecting the ear as it worsens.

How to Diagnose the Cause of Ear Pain

If you have ear pain and suspect that this might be the cause of your wisdom teeth, it is wise to go and see a dentist or doctor. He may take an X-ray of your mouth to establish if the impacted or infected ones are the causes of your problem.

The dental X-ray can establish tooth problems.
Other tests can be used to rule out ear infections.
Most cases of problems concerning wisdom teeth require dental care.

It is advisable to visit a doctor when you are experiencing persistent ear pain and you suspect that it is due to your wisdom teeth.

Removal of Wisdom Teeth That Cause Ear Pain

Many doctors and dental practitioners will agree to the fact that the greatest way to administer relief of wisdom tooth pain for many patients is to have them removed. Many people experiencing severe cases opt to have the teeth removed, as it is usually the only possible option to alleviate such symptoms and conditions.

Wisdom tooth removal puts an end to the pains.
Recovery will take some days.
Ear pain usually subsides after this process.

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain in the ears, then their removal might just be the solution to the discomfort that you have been feeling and possibly in the future.

Home Remedies to Ease Wisdom Tooth Pain

You’ll be waiting for the professional help, but there are a few quick fixes that you can do at home to ease off some of that pain.

Apply an ice pack to your jaw.
Over-the-counter pain medicines
Swish warm salt water through your mouth.

These treatments can only provide temporary relief from the pain and will not be able to solve the problem that is taking place in your third molars.

Consult a Dentist

You should visit a dentist when the ear pain persists and is accompanied by swelling and eating; otherwise, you may face complications of wisdom teeth from untreated cases.

Continuous pain is one indication to look for help.
Dentists will be able to give you long-term solutions.
Early treatment can prevent further problems.

Do not consider ear pain as not having a connection with your wisdom teeth. A dentist can verify the problem and recommend the best course of treatment.

Ear pain and jaw stiffness

If your wisdom teeth hurt, you will commonly face painful earaches followed by jaw stiffness. This is because inflammation near the jaw stops the jaw from opening freely and aggravates the condition further.

Jaw stiffness will make it hard for you to open your mouth.
It can also lead to pressure on other parts near it, like the ear.
The pain may become worse with consumption or chewing of food.

Swelling of the jaw and ear pain can be interlinked, so if you experience both, your wisdom teeth may be the cause.

Wisdom Teeth and Sinus Problems

Some of the upper wisdom teeth are located beside the sinus cavities. Sometimes, their growth might be hindered or infections could affect the sinus cavity, meaning there may be pressure in the sinuses, headaches, and even ear pains.

Sinuses may be compressed by upper wisdom teeth that are impacted.
Ear pain and headaches could result from sinus pressure.
The treatment for the impacted wisdom teeth usually helps cure the sinus problem.

Sinus pain with a concomitant sensation of ear pressure may indicate an issue with your upper teeth if pressure increases the pain.

Ear Pain After Extraction

Even after the procedure, you may feel some ear pain after having your wisdom teeth extracted. This is typically temporary and part of recovery.

After surgery, you can feel pain diffusing into the ears.
Swelling and healing tissue can cause discomfort to the ears.
Pain usually resolves within days after removal.

While the removal procedure may be somewhat painful for a short time, it will get much better as you heal from the surgery and will provide long-term relief from ear pain.