I had a tooth infection. Then I got surgery on abscess. After 5 months the infection returned. Surgery failed.
About a month later I had tooth extracted. Since then I have had discomfort in my entire cheek area. Thus far tests from ENT, and examination from neurologist have shown no signs of concern.
I was told I have no sinus problems from scan. But for over 3 months my muscles are tugging and feeling heavy, knotted and just acting abnormal. I have no pain. I can excersise and still work, but with constant strain in my face.
Idk if this part perimenopause bc I am having all sorts of odd long term healing challenges. And I feel my muscles get tired faster these pasts 12 plus months. Has anyone experienced facial tension bc of teeth problems and or with perimenopause?
I had a tooth extraction in December and now have tightness, pain and swelling in the opposite side of my face to the extraction site. My dentist has told me I have a badly inflamed muscle in my jaw probably caused by chewing too much on the opposite side while the extraction site healed and possible teeth grinding in my sleep. She's told me to eat soft foods and rest my jaw as much as I can and also suggested a mouth guard to wear at night.
The way your teeth sit together while your mouth is closed might be different too while could cause pain if your jaw is sitting at a different angle. There is also something caused TMJ which causes mouth, teeth pain. Since I've been going through the menopause I suddenly seemed to be plagued with dental problems - loads of fillings, a root canal treatment, a tooth infection, a tooth extraction now jaw pain! On top of that my tongue has gone weird - burning mouth syndrome. Not sure if this is a side effect of the menopause or just me having bad luck.
​Hope your mouth settles soon - I know how you feel - would be great to just be pain free and not thinking about teeth all the time!!!
Hi Elaine,
I too have had gum issues since my perimenopause kicked in. My body rhythm is off and there for I had very little hope that I was able to save the tooth. The surgery went well but 4 to 5 months into it, as it takes up to a year for the root area to really repair itself....the infection came back and my face was pounding all the time, every dam day...the Dr said to take antibiotics in hopes that this might help clean up the infection so we can ultimately save the tooth. no luck there. Although the infection went away soon after the bubble in my upper gum above the tooth she had worked on came back. It was draining on its own so there for I had no pain. But my face muscles were getting tense. And then one day it just felt like a cramp pulling in my cheek towards my face. I recalled during my pregnancy's having an extreme amount of teeth problem's. I actually asked the dentist is it possible that this last year and some months since my perimenopause has started acting up, that my teeth are getting effected? She said she has heard many patients complain and had seen higher volume of problems during this stage of a women's life. Especially women prone to anxiety issues. It seems the levels of hormones needed to protect my teeth or the fighting mechanism in my saliva is just gone? I brush almost 4 or 5 times a day now, rinsing regularly after anything I eat. I have lost two teeth side by side in the last 1year and 6 months both on the side that my face muscles are just soooo tired. I actually rest my face if I can. I take short naps just so I can get thru the remainder of the day. I can't even talk long bc my cheek gets exhausted. I heard several friends say after wisdom teeth extractions their face was sensitive for up to 6 months.
I use warm pads regularly on my face, I also do stretches' in my neck as my neck muscle is so tight do to the trauma I was going thru. I also take longer showers and exercise my neck in the shower. I use cold cream and slowly sooth around the eyes down and up around my face to relax the entire face. I am very uncomfortable with the situation, but trying everything. It hasn't gotten worse, its just not really gone away completely. Thank you for your reply. This has never happened to me before and I've had many dental procedures done. I think the infection lasted too long in my mouth and I should have pulled it out rather than try to save it. This just added trauma to my face during peri. I have noticed everything is tripled in its effect on me. Headaches are weirder, fatigue is longer, cant stay up late anymore, get dehydrated faster....blah blah blah....just boring stuff.