My painful jaw

I have pain in my jaw, and it also extends to my ear. I think it may be my wisdom teeth moving, but I am not sure. I want to know if there is a way to make the pain subside.

Jerome (by SMS)

Your symptoms suggest that the most likely diagnosis is an impacted wisdom tooth or irritation from an erupting wisdom tooth or even a diseased tooth. When wisdom teeth start coming through the gums, they can cause jaw pain, ear pain (because the nerves of the jaw and ear are connected), pain that may wake you from sleep, and gum tenderness or swelling at the back of the mouth.

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Another possible cause is periodontitis. This is inflammation or infection of the gum around a partially erupted wisdom tooth. It can cause jaw pain that spreads to the ear, a swollen or sore gum at the back of the mouth, and pain when chewing or opening the mouth.

Since swallowing tablets is difficult, you can try a few things to reduce the pain. Continue taking dispersible Paracetamol (Acetaminophen), which can help reduce pain and inflammation. Warm salt-water rinses may also help; mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse three to four times a day to soothe gum inflammation.

A dentist may recommend an X-ray to check how the wisdom tooth is growing and whether any treatment is needed. The good news is that pain like this is very common when wisdom teeth are erupting, and it often settles once the tooth fully comes through.