Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, often come in around the late teenage or young adult years (ages 18 through 25). However, in some cases, they can come in sooner or later in some people. Wisdom teeth frequently cause pain in patients if their mouths or jaw do not have enough room to accommodate them. Patients can experience a multitude of symptoms as their wisdom teeth come through.
At Beaches Dental Mona Vale, patients commonly ask: “Can wisdom teeth cause a sore throat?” Keep reading below to learn more about the correlation between sore throats, radiating tooth pain, ear pain, and wisdom teeth.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come into your mouth. Wisdom teeth can be impacted when there’s not enough room in a mouth for them to come through properly. If a wisdom tooth gets stuck or impacted, you might also notice other uncomfortable symptoms due to the increased risk of infection or complications. These symptoms can include jaw pain, a headache, tooth pain, sinus infection, earache or mouth tenderness. If you’re experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, including a sore throat, it is critical that you must obtain prompt dental care. Ignoring the symptoms associated with an infected tooth or gum may lead to worsening of the condition and even spreading infection.
Can You Get a Sore Throat from Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth can cause a sore throat. This happens indirectly through inflammation or infection associated with an impacted wisdom tooth. When wisdom teeth do not erupt fully, patients can be at a greater risk of infection or inflammation in and around the impacted tooth. This inflammation or infection is often caused by bacteria and plaque that build up around the impacted tooth, especially in the gum tissue surrounding the impacted tooth. As the infection and inflammation spread, it can also lead to a painful sore throat. We see this condition occur more frequently in lower wisdom teeth.
Does Wisdom Teeth Pain Hurt Your Ear?
In some patients, growing wisdom teeth can also cause ear pain due to the close proximity of your jaw to your ear. As wisdom teeth come in, they may create a pressure feeling or your gums can become inflamed. In turn, eruption and inflammation can cause pressure or discomfort that radiates to your ear, especially with upper wisdom teeth. If you’re experiencing ear pain, request an appointment for a wisdom tooth assessment.
Some erupted and impacted wisdom teeth may not cause pain in some patients. However, if symptoms do occur, such as tooth or jaw pain, sore throat, ear pain, or any other symptoms, contact your dentist for a consult.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Beaches Dental Mona Vale offers treatment options for impacted wisdom teeth if they require removal. We provide wisdom teeth removals in our on-site treatment rooms or can offer a referral to an oral surgeon for removal in a hospital setting if needed. In some cases, wisdom teeth may not require removal.
If needed, we also offer additional sedation options, such as IV sedation or nitrous oxide (happy gas), to help you relax while having your wisdom tooth removed. Impacted wisdom teeth may grow at an angle or cause crowding of other teeth in the mouth. Removing problematic wisdom teeth can help improve any uncomfortable symptoms caused by the tooth being impacted and can reduce future oral health concerns around the impacted tooth, such as:
- Gum Disease
- Tooth Decay
- Damage to Other Teeth
- Bone Loss
After your initial assessment, our experienced dental team at Beaches Dental Mona Vale will walk you through each step in the process. We’re here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about wisdom tooth removal. In some cases, we may refer you to an oral surgeon for treatment of more complex d cases.
When Do I Need a Dentist?
Some patients may not know they have wisdom teeth appearing in their mouths. However, many patients experience symptoms that signal it’s time to seek dental care. Some signs it’s time to visit a dentist include:
- Pain or swelling of the jaw or face
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Pain when chewing on one side of the mouth
- Difficulty opening or closing mouth
- Ongoing sore throat, headache, and mouth tenderness
If you’re unsure if wisdom teeth cause your symptoms, it may be worth seeing your dentist to let them assess the health of your wisdom teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Assessment & Removal
If you’re experiencing any symptoms associated with impacted wisdom teeth, contact us at Beaches Dental Mona Vale. Our professional team will assess your mouth and listen to your description of symptoms. We offer onsite full mouth dental x-rays, allowing us to evaluate your wisdom teeth and create an appropriate treatment plan.
Our dental team understands that wisdom teeth removal can be daunting. With this in mind, we strive to make our patients as comfortable and relaxed as possible throughout the process. Call us today to inquire about our wisdom teeth assessment and removal options.
