Do Tooth Extractions Cause Headaches?
Why Do Headaches Occur?
Muscle Spasms
Depending on the duration and complexity of the tooth extraction process, you may find yourself holding your mouth open for an extended period of time. After a while, this can cause some jaw and joint pains that will randomly shoot throughout your mouth. These muscle spasms may radiate upward, causing stress in the muscles responsible for creating a headache.
And speaking of stress…
Stress
If you feel overworked, underappreciated, and just plain exhausted, it is likely because you are going through a lot of stress. Your body has a lot of subconscious responses to stress that you may not know about; particularly, you may clench and grind your teeth a lot. This constant tension can create headaches before, during, and after the tooth extraction process.
Physical Force
Any type of invasive physical procedure will cause some physical trauma to the body. Pulling a tooth is no walk in the park. And while the procedure itself is nothing to fear, you should expect a little bit of discomfort as your body spends the next few days recovering from this major change. You might get a headache around the physical area of the extraction as your body’s way of trying to heal.
Treatment for Tooth Pain After Extraction
Did you know that the teeth and head share the same nerves? So when your teeth hurt, it is likely that your head will hurt too – and vice versa. While pain can be a result of inflammation after your extraction, rest assured that it will go away in time. There are many treatment services available to ease you through a quick healing process. For example, your dentist may prescribe a medicine to reduce inflammation and get rid of the pain. You will also be advised not to eat or chew on that part of your mouth until healing is complete.
That being said, prolonged headaches should never be untreated. If you still feel pain a few days after your extraction, get back in touch with your dental professional. There may be a follow-up visit necessary to ensure that your mouth is healing as expected.