An impacted wisdom tooth can cause ear pain. This is common for individuals with wisdom tooth issues. The discomfort in the ear is often a result of referred pain, a phenomenon where pain originating in one part of the body is perceived in another.
The Anatomical Link
An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to ear pain due to shared nerve pathways between the jaw and ear. The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) is a major nerve responsible for sensation in the face, including the teeth and jaw. Its mandibular branch (V3) specifically innervates the lower jaw, teeth, and parts of the external ear.
When a wisdom tooth becomes impacted or infected, it can irritate the surrounding tissues and nerves. This irritation of the mandibular nerve can then be perceived as pain in the ear, even though the problem originates in the tooth or jaw. The pain radiates along these interconnected neural pathways.
Accompanying Signs
When an impacted wisdom tooth is the source of ear pain, other symptoms often appear alongside it. Individuals experience pain or tenderness in the jaw. Swelling in the jaw or around the gum area is common. The gums surrounding the impacted tooth may appear red, swollen, or bleed.
An impacted wisdom tooth can also make it difficult to open the mouth fully or cause pain when chewing. Other signs include persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth, which can result from food debris and bacteria getting trapped around the partially erupted tooth. If an infection develops, individuals may also notice pus oozing from the gums or experience a low-grade fever.
When to Consult a Professional
If you experience persistent ear pain accompanied by any of the aforementioned symptoms, seek professional dental or medical attention. A dentist or oral surgeon can diagnose the cause of the ear pain through a thorough examination. This typically involves asking about your symptoms and conducting a visual inspection of your mouth and gums.
Dental X-rays are often used to view the wisdom teeth and jaw structure, revealing if a tooth is impacted or causing issues beneath the gum line. Treatment for an impacted wisdom tooth causing symptoms involves extraction. Early intervention can alleviate the pain and prevent complications like infection, damage to adjacent teeth, or cysts.