After a molar tooth was pulled I started getting headaches and two weeks plus I still have them. And now I am dizzy. I am six years into PMR on 6 mg per day of prednisone and doing fine until the tooth was pulled.
Question: has anyone else had an episode like this? Thank you for your thoughts.
Hi Neck680,
I had a molar tooth extracted approximately 9wks ago, but I've been fortunate enough to have not had any significant issues as a result.
Headache after a tooth extraction is quite common. It usually disappears on average after approximately a week or so, but we're all individuals and this will therefore differ from person to person.
Likewise, dizziness can also occur after a tooth extraction, but once again, doesn't usually last more than a couple of days.
With any prolonged symptoms/side effects that emerge after a medical 'procedure, the advice would always be to consult the medical practitioner concerned....so in your case, your dental practitioner.... particularly if you're worried or anxious.
Just a few things to consider:-
- were you given conscious sedation or anaesthesia. This can sometimes contribute to post extraction headache.
- if pressure was applied to remove the tooth, or strain was put on your neck (particularly if your head was tipped back) this could cause headaches initially (lots of muscles & nerves in neck & shoulder area that when 'aggravated ' can cause head pain.
This could take some time to improve.
- the headaches could be 'referred' pain from the extraction site. I experienced discomfort around the site but also in my cheek and up side of my face into head for a good few days.
- have you any signs of an infection in or around wound site. (a raised temperature, excessive & increasing swelling or inflammation around wound site - more than you'd be expecting - or severe, increasing localised pain, etc)
- does paracetamol ease the headaches
As I said, headache and dizziness aren't particularly uncommon after a tooth extraction, but they usually have disappeared within the first week, so it might be best to just speak to your dentist for some reassurance.
Others with more knowledge may be along to advise you further.
Hope you begin to improve soon.
Wishing you well.
This is helpful for me also as I am facing a molar extraction next Tuesday. I have MS and sometimes suffer from dizziness from that, so I’ll be sure to inform the dentist of this. Unfortunately I am also experiencing a significant flare and don’t know whether to increase my prednisone before the procedure. What dose were you on when you had your molar pulled? Thanks!
Thanks Kendrew and apologies for the late reply. I just missed all the replies somehow...
You bring up a lot of good information and ideas. Doesn't seem to be any external infection after the tooth extraction; I'm more worried now - since it's been 3.5 weeks - about GCA. My Rheumy (of course) is on vacation but I hope to speak with my primary next week.
Thanks so much, Kendrew, for your wise comments and suggestions, and yes, I am anxious now, thinking about a GCA possibility. Headaches are going on 3+ weeks, longer than any of us thought they'd go on after a tooth extraction -- but, as you say -- we are all different! Glad yours went without a hitch. Stay healthy!
Hi again,
Just to add that if you're particularly anxious about the headache, you can in some instances perpetutuate it simply by the anxiety.
After a tooth extraction, the jaw and mouth muscles tighten..... the neck face, mouth and head are all connected so any tension at the time of extraction, or afterwards, has the potential to cause pain.
Inadvertent clenching of the teeth/jaw can also do this, as can teeth grinding...in your sleep or otherwise.
I found that even just having to chew on my good side for some time, triggered my headache as this made my jaw and cheek muscles ache.
Also, because you're taking steroids, all the normal parameters for healing and recuperation will be longer than normal.
I still feel you're headache is probably more likely to be related to your extraction at this stage.
Three weeks really isn't that long into the healing process, and at 8 to 9 weeks on I'm still having to be cautious when eating, as the area is still a little fragile.
Obviously you have concerns and therefore the advice would always be to speak to a medical professional and get checked out, if only to put your mind at rest.
Hello, I had issues like this after a tooth extraction years ago because and it was due to holding my mouth open so wide for an extended period and some sideways pressure on it. It set up issues on my jaw joint, base of skull, neck and I too felt dizzy. An osteopath sorted me out over a few treatments. However, Kendrew covers other issues that need to be considered.
I have no idea if this will be of any use to you but here goes. I have been having a dull ache in my left molars, this did follow a pretty nasty chest infection and cold, even though it was in January/ February, I still don’t feel completely better at all. My dentist X Rayed the area and asked me if I had been ill. I told him about the infection/virus. He pointed to an area on the X Ray and said that my sinus was swollen and pushing against the molar. I still have a blocked nose and headaches. Your post made me wonder whether your sinus had been damaged by the extraction. I think maybe a dental X Ray could shed light on your continued suffering. Obviously we need to be alert for GCA as well. Good luck, I hope they can sort this out. X
Thanks Sheffield Jane and apologies for the late reply. I hope your aches disappear soon, and I do plan to speak with my dentist this coming week. GCA, actually, is what is on my mind,...
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