When a Toothache is Not a Toothache

Most of the time, when you have a toothache, it is due to there being a problem with a tooth. Maybe a tooth is decayed or fractured or there is an infection in a gum. All of these can cause a toothache. However, this isn’t always the cause of a toothache.  There are reasons why you can feel like you have a toothache and it is not a toothache but, instead, a non-dental cause for the pain.

Your Fuquay-Varina dentist at Hamby Family Dental Center has a depth of experience diagnosing all the causes that cause tooth pain and that can look on the surface like toothaches. One way to prevent dental issues causing toothaches is by maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping up with bi-annual dental cleanings and exams. In this article, we discuss other non-dental reasons you may experience what appears to be a toothache.

Common Non-Dental Causes for a Toothache

Many non-tooth-related issues can cause pain that feels like a toothache. Here are some of the most common.

Sinus Issues

Sinusitis can cause your teeth to ache. Your sinuses can become infected and cause the sinus cavities to swell and fill with mucus, pressing on nerves that send pain signals into your teeth. As the sinusitis dissipates, the pain lessens.

You can usually identify a sinusitis toothache by other symptoms such as a stuffy nose, nasal discharge, clogged ears or earaches, headache, sore throat, fever, and fatigue. You should see your physician with any of these symptoms to obtain an antibiotic for an infection.

Sometimes, sinusitis can be chronic and last for a very long time. If this is the case, you may need treatment for another underlying issue such as a deviated septum or a tumor that is blocking your sinus passages.

Muscle Pain

Your toothache may be coming from pain in the jaw muscles that occurs from clinching or grinding your teeth. This is an unconscious habit that commonly occurs during the night when you are asleep. Clinching or grinding your teeth causes abnormal forces on your teeth. This can not only cause chipped, broken, or loosened teeth but also jaw pain, headaches, and tenderness in the mouth that present as a toothache.

Neurological Conditions

A condition called Trigeminal Neuralgia may be causing your tooth to ache. The trigeminal nerves that are on either side of your face have three large branches that are throughout the face. The branch that goes to the jaw allows you to feel sensations as you chew. When one of the nerve branches becomes inflamed, it can cause pain in the jaw that seems like a toothache. Pressure on the nerve can send sharp, severe pain into your teeth and other parts of your mouth.

A person with Trigeminal Neuralgia can experience powerful symptoms that are triggered by even a light touch to the face or teeth. You can have toothache-like pain on one side of your face or on both sides. The painful episodes may be short in the beginning, then progress into longer periods and prove to be more difficult to tolerate with time. Anything that puts abnormal pressure on the trigeminal nerve, such as a tumor or blood vessel, can cause trigeminal neuralgia. Neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis can contribute to the development of Trigeminal Neuralgia as well as aging.

Heart Problems

Upper body pain can be a symptom of a heart attack. You may feel discomfort in the shoulders, neck, jaw, or teeth as referred pain. The pain can feel like it is radiating from the teeth or jaw or feel like an earache. Pay attention if you have other symptoms along with the mouth pain like sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, chest pain, or shortness of breath. These are all warning signs that you may be having a heart attack or angina, and you should see a doctor immediately.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, known as TMDs, can cause severe and chronic tooth pain and sensitivity. The pain can be dull, sharp, searing, sporadic, or constant. It can feel like it is traveling across your face, ears, and neck. The two joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull can become dysfunctional for a variety of reasons.

When the jaw joint becomes inflamed and irritated, it can cause pain that presents as tooth pain. Your teeth and the TMJ are very closely related. You may have a severe toothache in an upper molar that refers pain to another part of the face, including the jaw joint. Or, you may experience TMJ pain that feels like it is coming from a tooth.

For example, if you have undergone dental procedures such as crowns, your bite may be affected causing extra strain on the jaw joint. In this situation, the jaw joint becomes inflamed and irritated because of the new position of the mouth. Left untreated, this can cause long-term TMJ pain. An experienced dental professional can diagnose the exact cause of the pain and then treat the cause.

Contact Us Today to Schedule a Dental Appointment for Toothaches and Pain

Our professional dental team at Hamby Family Dentistry can diagnose what is causing your toothache and mouth pain. We are experienced in the different reasons you may be experiencing a toothache—whether it is from a tooth or some other issue. Contact us today if you have a toothache by calling us at  919-552-2431 or completing the form below.