Besides acne and other forms of skin breakout, individuals aged 17 to 25 often worry about wisdom tooth growth. That’s because it often causes significant pain and discomfort. Interestingly, some people who have emerging third molars note that they also notice signs of TMJ disorders, such as achy and locking jaws, difficulty chewing, and facial discomfort. 

As a result, they consult their cervical chiropractor, doctor, or even dentist and ask about the connection between their problems and to determine what steps they need to take. Do you happen to be among these individuals? Let’s outline everything you must know about TMJ and third molar growth pain. Hopefully, after you get a better grip on your situation, you can lessen the pain you experience.

Third Molar Growth and TMJ: Tracing the Connection

Both doctors and researchers agree that there isn’t a direct connection between the two. However, studies have found that an infection that develops while the crown of the third molar emerges can potentially cause overlapping symptoms, which include:

• Tooth pain
• Gum swelling and pain
• Misaligned bite
• Pain limited to the back of the mouth
• Chronic headaches
• Tinnitus
• Shoulder and neck pain
• Dizziness 
• Stiff jaw movements

Besides infection, studies note that TMJ discomfort can come hand in hand with impacted wisdom teeth. These grow at an awkward angle, pushing the tooth crown into the gums and neighboring teeth. They can also strain your TMJ, mainly if they cause or aggravate jaw malocclusion. Most cases of impacted third molars require surgical removal, which sometimes increases the risks of TMJ pain as a complication. 

Can Wisdom Teeth Removal Alleviate the Discomfort?

Clinical studies note that there are no scientifically proven benefits of pulling out one’s wisdom teeth. Most dentists only require removal if the tooth or teeth involved causes significant problems. Discussing surgical options is crucial so you can avoid problems and complications that lead to TM dysfunction. Here are a few rules to remember before having your wisdom teeth extracted:

• Check for wisdom teeth red flags like partial crown emergence, severe gum inflammation, cysts on the gums, and teeth crowding. 
• Check if the tooth is damaged, decayed beyond repair, or infected.
• You suspect that your jaw pain is clearly connected to your growing wisdom tooth.

Other Options for TMJ and Jaw Pain

Once you address your problematic tooth, you must also look into other sources of TMJ and jaw pain relief. Thankfully, nowadays, patients like you have several options to remedy the symptoms you experience. These include the following:

• A few visits to a cervical chiropractor – Chiropractic adjustments can help improve the C1 and C2 bone alignment. This will release built-up tension on the neck and neighboring areas like the temporomandibular joint.

• Taking oral medications – Physicians often prescribe pain relievers to help patients cope. Some usual medicines doctors prescribe include opioids, muscle relaxants, antiseizure drugs, NSAIDs, and antidepressants.

• Wearing a mouthguard – Occlusal appliances can help lessen the strain on your jaws and TMJ. However, you must pick one that best fits you to avoid causing more problems. 

Time to Call a Nearby Cervical chiropractor

A TMJ dysfunction or disorder can get worse without immediate intervention. So, it would be wise to take advantage of proven remedies like upper cervical chiropractic. If you suspect that you have misaligned neck bones after an accident or because of following poor posture practices at work, we suggest getting in touch with a cervical chiropractor. Doing so will help you ascertain the exact points where your C1 and C2 bones shifted so your upper cervical chiropractor Find out if you have cervical subluxation today by scheduling a visit to the nearest practice. The sooner you can attend to your neck bone misalignments, the quicker you can relieve the pressure on your TMJ, neck muscles, and spinal column.

to schedule a consultation today.