Can wisdom teeth cause pain elsewhere in the mouth?

Racheldevon

Hi
I have seen my dentist today for sharp pain, now throbbing on my right hand side of my mouth, initially I wasn't sure if it was linked to a problem I have with the laxity of my jaw & grinding, or specific to a tooth. Having examined me and taken an xray, my dentist believes it's coming from my lower right wisdom tooth, which isn't fully through, and is unlikely to. There's no sign of infection, and a previous maxilofacial consultant said they'd be very reluctant to take out any of my wisdom teeth due to my connective tissue condition.

I'm just wondering if anyone can shed any light on how my wisdom tooth can be causing so much pain several teeth down from its location - does it put pressure on the nerves/other teeth? I do have an old root canal filling in one of the areas that's painful, but this doesn't show any concerns apparently on the xray. So aside from simple painkillers, any tips on how to ease the pain. The dentist is going to review next week which seems a long way off right now

Thanks
Rachel

angel00079

Is the pain fixed or shooting?

Have you tried hot or cold packs?

brook2jack

angel00079 wrote: »

Is the pain fixed or shooting?

Have you tried hot or cold packs?

No no no. Never put anything hot on your face unless you have been advised to by a dentist. If you have an infection heat will draw this out through the skin possibly leaving you with permanent scarring.

Because the nerves that supply the face, jaws, teeth and ears are so close it can be extremely difficult to pinpoint where the pain comes from as it can feel as though it's coming from different points.

Please ask your dentist for advice on painkillers etc as asking advice on the internet will get you well meaning but often wrong advice not tailored to your dental diagnosis and medical history.

Racheldevon

Thanks for the advice. I've been back to the dentist today, who took a second xray, nothing is showing on it yet the pain is really severe. She's given my antibiotics, my face on one side suddenly seems quite swollen in a way it wasn't before, very tender, hot etc - why wouldn't the infection show on an xray in some way?

Presumably it's ok to use ice?

brook2jack

Follow your dentist advice. it's boring to say it but it's the safest thing.

X rays are only a snapshot of the hard tissues eg tooth and bone. An infection has to be quite far advanced before it shows up on x rays.

nineteenseventyseven

Racheldevon wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I've been back to the dentist today, who took a second xray, nothing is showing on it yet the pain is really severe. She's given my antibiotics, my face on one side suddenly seems quite swollen in a way it wasn't before, very tender, hot etc - why wouldn't the infection show on an xray in some way?

Presumably it's ok to use ice?

X-rays don't actually show infection. They show the effects of an infection. Namely, a dark area due bone loss in the area where an infection is present. These changes take time and initial x-rays will show no changes. Because an x-ray looks normal, it doesn't mean that there is no infection present. Dentists can often work out the most likely source of an infection by using an x-ray as a tool, combined with the clinical findings and previous decay, etc that a tooth has had.

Racheldevon

My face is now ridiculously swollen, with swallowing feeling very difficult. I've seen my GP re pain relief options and am now on two different antibiotics (amoxicillin clavulanate & metronidazole) which are making me feel pretty sick - if anyone has any tips on how to reduce the nausea that'd be most welcome. I've never had swelling like this before, i'm a bit worried it may continue to spread.

brook2jack

Your dentist should have emergency arrangements phone the practice and an ansaphone should direct you further. If swelling is making it difficult to swallow that is a dental emergency. I know you are taking two lots of antibiotics but if the swelling is still progressing then something else may very well need to be done. Phone the practice .