A few years ago, famous golfer Rory McIlroy pulled out of a round, due to problems with a painful tooth. Naturally, the media seized upon this as a chance to criticise his ‘excuse’; but most dentists across the world were more sympathetic.
The truth is, a painful tooth can be really quite debilitating, and this is never more so than with wisdom teeth. If untreated, an impacted wisdom teeth can cause significant pain; as anyone who has suffered with one can testify!
Painful Wisdom Teeth Related to Stress?
It’s now recognised that stress can be a factor when it comes to wisdom tooth pain. Perhaps this is why Rory McIlroy played so poorly! This is demonstrated particularly clearly in the rising cases of students experiencing wisdom tooth pain just before their exams.
What’s Causing the Pain?
There are a variety of reasons as to why your wisdom tooth is hurting. It could be to do with the wisdom tooth cavity, inflammation of the pulp, or even of the surrounding gums. Wherever exactly the pain is coming from, it makes for a miserable experience.
The problem generally arises because there is not enough room in the mouth to accommodate the teeth, which are the last to emerge; hence their name.
How to Tell If You’re Suffering with Wisdom Tooth Pain
The tell-tale signs of wisdom tooth pain are generally easy to identify. These include:
- Swelling of the gum in the affected area.
- Aching when the mouth is opened, or difficulty opening the mouth.
- Tenderness in the area, particularly when trying to chew.
- Bad breath, as a result of infection.
- Ear-ache (pain often radiates outwards).
Most of the time, wisdom tooth pain can be treated by your dentist. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, make sure you get seen by a medical professional as soon as possible:
- Swollen lymph nodes (lumps under the chin).
- Muscle spasms in the area of the mouth.
- Fever.
- Unbearable pain.
- Swelling in the cheeks.
The above are all classic signs of serious infection, and should be treated as a medical emergency.
Does Relaxation Help?
Whereas it seems likely that problems with wisdom teeth can be exacerbated by stress, it’s unfortunately not the case that the situation can be reversed through relaxation; though of course, techniques such as meditation may be able to help you to control the pain to an extent.
If you’re experiencing significant pain in your wisdom teeth, the best thing to do is to book an appointment with your dentist; as if left untreated, an impacted wisdom tooth can cause real problems.
Bear in mind that it’s possible to experience mild pain in the area if your wisdom teeth are coming through successfully. This is nothing to worry about, and doesn’t require any medical assistance.
Get Your Teeth Checked at Your Dentist in Ballincollig
If you’re concerned about your wisdom teeth, or are experiencing pain; the best thing to do is to book an appointment with your local dentist. Our expert dentists at Guiney Dental will examine your teeth thoroughly, then recommend the best course of action to get you feeling yourself again!