It is common to experience symptoms that feel like a cold when wisdom teeth are causing problems. This overlap makes it difficult to determine the source of discomfort. Understanding the specific ways wisdom teeth can affect your body helps clarify this connection.
How Wisdom Teeth Can Mimic Cold Symptoms
When wisdom teeth emerge incorrectly or become impacted, they can trigger symptoms resembling a common cold. One frequent issue is pericoronitis, inflammation of gum tissue surrounding a partially erupted wisdom tooth. This condition occurs when bacteria and food particles become trapped under a flap of gum, leading to infection. Pericoronitis can cause localized pain, swelling, and sometimes a low-grade fever, similar to how your body reacts to a viral infection.
The pain from problematic wisdom teeth can also spread through nerve pathways, known as referred pain. This means discomfort originating in the wisdom tooth area might be felt in other regions like the ear, jaw, or throat, mimicking a sore throat or an earache. The trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face and jaw, can become inflamed, leading to pain that radiates to these areas.
Upper wisdom teeth, situated close to the maxillary sinuses, can contribute to cold-like symptoms. If these teeth are impacted or infected, they can exert pressure on the sinus lining or an infection can spread to the maxillary sinuses, leading to sinusitis. This can manifest as sinus pressure, headaches, nasal congestion, or yellowish-green nasal discharge.
Any infection associated with wisdom teeth, such as pericoronitis or an abscess, can cause the lymph nodes in the neck and jaw to swell. Lymph nodes are part of the body’s immune system, and their swelling indicates your body is fighting an infection. This generalized swelling can add to the feeling of being unwell, further blurring the lines between a dental issue and a cold.
Identifying the Source of Your Symptoms
Differentiating between symptoms caused by wisdom teeth and those from a common cold involves observing specific indicators. Wisdom tooth-related symptoms often include localized pain at the back of the jaw, often described as a throbbing or dull ache. Individuals may experience difficulty opening their mouth fully, pain when chewing, or a persistent bad taste or foul breath. Visible swelling around the affected tooth or gum, and jaw or cheek tenderness, are common signs. A fever, if present, might be low-grade and specifically linked to the localized infection.
In contrast, common cold symptoms are more generalized throughout the body. These include body aches, persistent cough, runny nose, sneezing, and malaise. Cold symptoms affect the respiratory system more broadly, without localized pain or swelling in the back of the mouth that characterizes wisdom tooth issues. While some symptoms, like a sore throat or headache, can overlap, the absence of dental-specific discomfort, such as jaw stiffness or pain upon chewing, points more towards a cold. Cold symptoms tend to resolve within a week or two without specific dental intervention, whereas wisdom tooth problems often persist or worsen without treatment.
Seeking Dental Consultation
If you experience persistent or worsening symptoms around your wisdom teeth, seek a dental evaluation. Signs like severe or ongoing pain, difficulty eating or swallowing, significant face or jaw swelling, or a fever not clearly attributable to general illness warrant prompt attention. Ignoring these signs can lead to more severe complications, including spreading infections.
During a dental consultation, the dentist will examine the affected area and inquire about your symptoms and medical history. X-rays assess the wisdom tooth’s position, check for impaction, and evaluate surrounding bone and soft tissues. Imaging provides a clear view of potential issues beneath the gum line. Based on findings, the dentist can diagnose your discomfort and discuss treatment options. These may include cleaning the infected area, prescribing antibiotics, or recommending extraction if it poses ongoing risks to your oral health.