Can inflammation of wisdom teeth cause neck pain?

Dec 02, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Liwen

Introduction

In the early stage of pericoronitis of wisdom teeth, there may be mild pain at the affected site, which could worsen during chewing or mouth opening. As the condition progresses, the pain may become spontaneous and throbbing, radiating to the same side of the head and face. Clinical examination typically reveals obvious redness, swelling, and erosion of the gums. Additionally, it may cause inflammation of nearby lymph nodes, leading to neck pain.

Pericoronitis of wisdom teeth usually refers to inflammation around the wisdom tooth, which may cause neck pain.

Wisdom tooth pericoronitis is one of the more common oral diseases. Symptoms typically include swelling and pain in the soft tissues surrounding the tooth crown, often presenting as acute inflammation. In the early stages, patients may experience mild pain at the affected site, which could worsen during chewing or mouth opening. As the condition progresses, the pain may become spontaneous and throbbing, radiating to the same side of the head and face. Clinical examination often reveals obvious redness, swelling, and erosion of the gums. Additionally, the inflammation may spread to nearby lymph nodes, leading to neck pain.

After the onset of pericoronitis, patients can, under medical guidance, use local irrigation and topical medications to help reduce inflammation. It's also important to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid consuming spicy or irritating foods, to prevent food debris from accumulating in the periodontal pocket and causing further irritation that could worsen symptoms.

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Can wisdom tooth inflammation heal on its own without taking medication?

If pericoronitis of a wisdom tooth does not present obvious discomfort and is only characterized by mild toothache, it may resolve spontaneously without medication. However, if swelling and pain in the back teeth area occur, accompanied by pain during swallowing or eating, and oral examination reveals redness and swelling of the gum flap around the wisdom tooth, even with ulceration or pus discharge from the periodontal pocket, anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by a doctor is necessary; in such cases, the condition generally will not resolve on its own without taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

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Pain in the face when opening the mouth

Facial pain when opening the mouth can have various causes, such as impacted wisdom tooth inflammation, temporomandibular joint disorder, or mumps. In addition, it may also be related to gingivitis, submandibular lymphadenitis, or myofasciitis. Patients experiencing facial pain when opening the mouth are advised to seek medical attention promptly and receive treatment under the guidance of a physician.

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Is it effective to get an anti-inflammatory injection for inflamed wisdom teeth?

Anti-inflammatory injections usually refer to injectable medications that have anti-inflammatory and anti-infective effects. When wisdom tooth inflammation is in the acute phase, it is generally necessary to follow medical advice and use anti-inflammatory and anti-infective drugs to help reduce inflammation. Therefore, receiving anti-inflammatory injections is usually effective in controlling inflammation and alleviating swelling. However, such treatment cannot address the underlying cause of the disease. It is still essential to identify the specific cause and treat it accordingly.