Why Your Headache Could Be Caused by Some Spare Teeth
Posted on: 25 July 2018
Are you trying to study for some important exams, but cannot concentrate due to a dull headache? Do you sometimes experience pain when you yawn or when you open your mouth particularly wide? If so, you may be dealing with a condition that is a scourge of the younger generation—an impacted wisdom tooth. What is this, and what should you do about it?
More to Come
When you reach your late teens, you may think that you have your full complement of teeth, but this is not necessarily the case. The last set (one on each corner) is not fully developed until this age for reasons that are not completely understood. As they are late to the game, there may not be enough room for them, as your existing teeth are taking up the valuable real estate. The wisdom teeth will try to get in on the act, however, and this is where problems occur.
Overcrowding
When this situation arises, the tooth may grow at an angle and push up against the side of other teeth or the bone structure. This relentless activity will lead to inflammation and tenderness together with a variety of different symptoms. You've already noticed some headaches and a pain when you try to open your mouth wide, but you may also notice bleeding from the gums and even bad breath in some situations.
Things Get Worse
Unfortunately, this problem will not go away by itself. The unrelenting pressure can cause damage to the other teeth, while inflammation can cause gum disease. Tiny food particles can get into the area through breaks in the skin, further aggravating the infection.
Getting to the Dentist
You need to make an appointment as soon as possible to see a dentist so that they can discuss the options with you. You will probably need tooth extractions to get these teeth removed so that you can get on with your life.
The dentist will take a series of x-rays to determine the next course of action, but in some situations, you may only need to have one set of teeth removed. For example, the upper pair may not be causing any issue and can be left in place.
Immediate Relief
In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution, as this has healing properties and can help decrease the pain. You may also find it useful to take some over-the-counter pain relievers.
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