A leading dentist has raised concerns over common health woes like headaches and sinus issues, as they could be indicative of serious problems with your teeth, with some potentially needing extraction.
Toothache is one of the most difficult and bothersome complaints and as securing a dentist appointment can sometimes be challenging, it’s essential to stay alert to any changes in dental health to ensure symptoms don’t become worse.
Dr Nyree Whitley, chief clinical officer at mydentist, boasts over two decades of experience in dentistry. In a bid to help keep people informed, she’s shared several warning signs that suggest your wisdom teeth may need to be removed – including common grievances like headaches and sinus issues.
Dr Whitley has identified four key signs to watch out for when it comes to your wisdom teeth:
You’re experiencing frequent infections
The expert advised: “If you’re getting regular infections, this may be a sign that you have an impacted wisdom tooth. This essentially means that your tooth is growing but being blocked by either your gums, or by other teeth.
“Because impacted wisdom teeth are somewhat trapped in place, this prevents them from being able to erupt normally. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth can cause damage to the surrounding teeth, pain, or lead to gum disease and infection.”
Symptoms to be vigilant about include pressure around the wisdom tooth area, a sensation that the tooth started to emerge but then stopped, redness or soreness in the gums, and discomfort in the jaw or near the site of the emerging wisdom tooth.
The wisdom tooth is causing damage to your other teeth
Dr Whitley explained the growth of wisdom teeth can potentially harm adjacent teeth by pushing against them, leading to “misalignment, overcrowding and potential tooth decay.”
Wisdom teeth often emerge in a limited space, causing other teeth to shift into undesirable positions.
You’re experiencing sinus pain and headaches
She further elaborated: “Sometimes, wisdom teeth can put pressure on the sinuses, which can lead to a headache and potentially congestion or sinus pain. Because the wisdom teeth are close to the sinuses, this can be a common problem. As the wisdom teeth grow, they can, in some cases, put pressure on the sinus walls, causing a feeling of pressure in the cheeks or upper jaw.”
You have pain around the tooth
Dr Whitley added: “It’s not uncommon for wisdom teeth to be painful as they grow, however a normal sensation would be an ache. If you experience any kind of pain when your wisdom tooth is growing and when you’re brushing your teeth or eating, it could be a sign of infection or gum disease.”
Wisdom tooth discomfort is a widespread issue, and numerous social media videos aim to provide home remedies to alleviate the pain until a dentist can be consulted. In one well-liked TikTok video, several tips were suggested, such as rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or Corsodyl mouthwash; brushing the affected area as thoroughly as possible, and taking ibuprofen for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, or other symptoms that raise concerns about your teeth, it’s best to reach out to your dentist for a personalised professional evaluation and treatment plan.