Yes, wisdom teeth can cause ear pain. Your upper wisdom teeth are located closer to your TMJ and ear than any of the other teeth in your mouth. If for any reason they become infected, cause swelling, or you’re clenching your teeth because of the pain, it’s not unheard of to experience referred pain that exhibits itself as TMJ soreness or earaches. In fact, ear pain is a common symptom of TMJ disorder and bruxism (clenching and grinding).
The wisdom tooth itself won’t make your ears hurt. But if you notice significant swelling and soreness in that area of your mouth and it extends into your jaw, face, or ear, then your third molars may have something to do with it.
When you visit our dental clinic in Calgary, we can take a special X-ray that captures your wisdom teeth and the facial anatomy around it. At that point, we can determine if your third molars or TMJ are a possible cause of your ear pain. But if symptoms persist or you’re experiencing fluid buildup in your ears, you may need to see a specialist such as an ENT.