Toothache And Ear Pain On The Same Side
Experiencing a toothache and ear pain on the same side sounds like a painful ordeal. This predicament sounds like multiple aspects of pain altogether.
I certainly wouldnt like to experience something so horrific, so anyone who has such a condition should see their dentist immediately. However, such an experience isnt uncommon as toothache can affect the ears.
This situation sounds primarily for a dentist, though some may require a doctor. Many reasons can cause this particular type of pain in the tooth and ear, so we will share that information and explain a few things to make it easier to analyze.
It will make it simple to treat as you know the problem.
We will look at the leading causes of such pain and why that area. You will see the various symptoms accompanying the different diseases and learn what treatments are best.
The information will be efficient, so it should go a long way in helping you resolve any issues you may have.
Lastly, please be reminded that this information is for knowledge and not attempting to replace your physician. You should always seek advice from your doctor if possible. Use this information as a last resort.
These are the conditions that can cause toothache and earache on one side of your face.
Contents
When Dental Pain Is Trigeminal Neuralgia
If someone is experiencing chronic pain in their teeth or face that is described as a sharp, shooting pain, the problem may not be dental at all. Trigeminal Neuralgia occurs when the trigeminal nerve is compressed. Because this pain is often felt in the teeth, jaw, and face, it is often misdiagnosed as a dental issue.
Pain that is triggered by chewing or swallowing, talking, head movement, vibrations, or a cool breeze could indicate trigeminal neuralgia . Described as a monotonous pain with bouts of electric shocks of pain, TN may worsen overtime. Medical treatment can help and should be sought.
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia And Trigeminal Neuralgia
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia, the latter sometimes called tic douloureux, are relatively rare nerve conditions that cause recurrent, sudden, excruciating pain around your ear canal, tongue, tonsils, jaw, or side of your face. Due to the location of nerves in your head and neck, the pain is usually on one side of the face only.
The pain of glossopharyngeal neuralgia is usually in the back of the throat or tongue. Its often triggered by swallowing and usually lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes. You might feel an ache in the affected area after the acute pain episode.
The pain of trigeminal neuralgia is usually facial, but sometimes can occur in the mouth. Pain can be sudden and episodic or prolonged and progressive. Touching the face, eating, or even wind blowing on the face may set off an episode.
Both conditions are usually treated with medications used for neuropathic pain, such as carbamazepine , gabapentin , or pregabalin .
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Can Dental Problems Cause Ear Painby Andrew Mortensen Dds On March 21 2019
The ears, nose, and throat are connected through a delicate network of tubes, canals, and passageways. That is one reason why diagnosing a problem in any one of those three areas often requires an examination of the others.
Ear pain can result from dental problems. Dr. Andrew Mortensen understands the connection between ear pain and oral health. Here, we discuss dental problems that can cause ear pain. We also offer a range of restorative dentistry services at our Fountain Valley, CA practice.
Can A Tooth Infection Cause Dizziness

If you had an infected tooth in the past, you understand how painful it can be. But do you know a tooth infection can affect your overall health and body in unexpected ways? When left untreated, gum, tooth, and mouth infections can make you feel lightheaded use your balance to make you feel dizzy. This indicates that the infection has spread and started to affect the nerves, which impacts your balance.
Toothaches are painful conditions that can occur due to various reasons. While most common signs of a tooth abscess include gum tenderness, a sore jaw, swelling, or throbbing pain, other complications may be experienced, including vertigo and headache. Certain conditions and diseases may lead to dizziness when experiencing abscessed tooth pain, as can the adverse effects of specific medications. Dizziness after root canal procedure and extraction of the wisdom tooth are also major culprits.
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Ear Pain When Chewing Should Be Examined
Pain in the ears when chewing food or gum can range from a mild discomfort to a severe sharp, stabbing pain. The ears are connected to the back of the throat by the Eustachian tube and share muscle tissue with the joint of the jawline.
An infection of the middle ear, effects of the common cold, and allergies may contribute to ear pain. Dental problems such as a cavity or tooth decay can also produce pain in both the mouth and the ear.
TMJ syndrome is a major factor when assessing ear pain. The grinding and clicking noise that accompanies the pain may indicate overuse and damage to the joint by improper eating habits, teeth clenching, arthritis, or injury.
Depending on the cause of the ear pain, treatment may include consuming soft foods, using heat and ice compresses, and avoiding the excessive chewing that often occurs with gum and hard foods.
Certain infections may require medical treatment to prevent further complications such as hearing loss or damage to the teeth.
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Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Disorder
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction disorder refers to long-term pain and dysfunction in the TMJ, the joint that connects the upper and lower jawbones.
The TMJ is a complex joint with complicated movements and is subject to strain and injury. Symptoms may come and go for no apparent reason. Misalignment of the teeth and jaw, and tooth grinding, are no longer believed to be a cause. Women seem to be more susceptible than men.
TMJ disorder has three types:
- Pain or discomfort in the muscles controlling the TMJ.
- Dislocation or injury to the jawbone.
- Arthritis of the TMJ.
Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and imaging. The goal is to rule out other causes such as sinus infection or facial nerve damage.
Due to the difficulty of diagnosing TMJ disorder, treatment begins with conservative methods that do not permanently change the jaw or teeth. Ice packs, soft foods, gentle stretching of the jaw muscles, and reducing stress are all encouraged. Short-term pain medications may be used. Splints, Botox, implants, and surgery are not recommended.
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Treatment And Prevention Tips For Ear Pain When Chewing
Painkillers, antibiotics, ear drops, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can all help reduce pain in the ear while chewing, but there are a few natural things you can do to improve discomfort as wellmost specifically a change in diet. Avoid eating food products that require a lot of chewing. Opt for soft foods, such as dairy products, tofu, fruits , and well-cooked ground meat.
Since the most common cause of ear pain in adults comes from TMD, here are a few measures you can take to resolve flare-ups:
- Apply an ice pack to the side of your face that is in pain and leave it on for about 10 minutes. After you remove the ice pack, perform a few simple jaw stretches. Afterward, hold a warm towel to the area for five minutes. Repeat a few times daily.
- Keep yawning and gum-chewing to a minimum
- Dont yell or sing and avoid anything that requires you to open your mouth wide.
- Avoid resting your chin on your hand for too long.
- Try not to hold your phone between your shoulder and ear, as it puts unnecessary pressure on the jaw.
- If you clench or grind your teeth during the day, stick your tongue between them to avoid doing it. Use a mouth guard at night to prevent involuntary teeth grinding.
- Use caution when chewing by consuming soft food and avoid crunching on candy or ice chips.
Can A Toothache Cause A Sore Throat
A toothache and sore throat, accompanied by other cold or flu symptoms, is likely an earache or sinus infection.
However, when cold and flu symptoms are not otherwise present, a toothache and sore throat may be an indication of:
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Tooth infection
In either case, it is recommended to see a dentist as soon as possible. A toothache that is causing a sore throat is the sign of bacterial growth, often due to poor dental hygiene, a high-sugar diet, or dry mouth due to age or medication.
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Can Toothache Cause Headache: Abscessed Tooth Pain
If you are suffering from a toothache and headache, it is natural to marvel if both symptoms are related. Throbbing pain or swelling in or around your tooth or gum. Usually, abscessed tooth pain is an indication that something is wrong with your gums or tooth. Perhaps your toothache is causing your headache, or both may be an indication of a serious underlying health problem such as a sinus infection. Read on to find out the answer to this question: Can toothache cause headache?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus forming in various parts of your tooth due to a bacterial infection. This infection can occur due to injury to the mouth, medical complications that impact your immune system, or poor dental hygiene. If a tooth infection is not promptly treated, a patient may also develop a migraine, a throbbing one-sided headache associated with nausea or vomiting. An abscessed tooth can cause moderate to severe pain, which can even radiate to your ear or neck. If left untreated, abscessed tooth pain can graduate into a severe, life-threatening condition. Therefore, an abscessed tooth should instantly be treated by an experienced dentist.
Is Your Pain A Sinus Infection Or A Toothache
Is it a toothache or a sinus infection?
Youve woken up to a throbbing feeling in your upper jaw, and you are pretty sure its a toothache or a sinus infection. Should you make an appointment with your doctor or your dentist? Because the roots of the upper teeth are often close to the sinus, the origin of the pain can be confusing you and making you unsure of whats happening. Here are some considerations that might help you decide which healthcare professional you need to see.
Referred Pain
The reason youre not sure where your pain is coming from is because the nerves in the face are situated so close to one another. Sometimes, an ear infection, a migraine headache, or even a problem in the lower jaw can cause pain in what feels like an upper tooth. Pain doesnt usually cross the midline of the face, but anything going on on the left side of your face or head can cause pain in the teeth on the left . Its not uncommon for a patient to go to their primary care physician for what turns out to be a tooth problem or for someone to go to their dentist for what ends up being a sinus or ear infection. So if you are in pain, make your best guess and go to whichever provider you think is the right one if youre mistaken, youll simply be referred to the other.
Sinus Infection Symptoms
Toothache Symptoms
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What Is Causing My Ear And Jaw Pain
Have you been experiencing pain in your ear or jaw? This pain can present as a mild ache, but it can also cause intense pain. Unfortunately, though, there are a number of conditions that can be contributing to your ear and jaw painfrom infections and injuries to joint problems. To help you get a better
Have you been experiencing pain in your ear or jaw? This pain can present as a mild ache, but it can also cause intense pain. Unfortunately, though, there are a number of conditions that can be contributing to your ear and jaw painfrom infections and injuries to joint problems. To help you get a better understanding about ear and jaw pain, lets take a look at some of the most common causes.
Toothache And Ear Pain In The Same Side: What Does It Mean

Toothache and ear pain in the same side is possible to occur. But, what does it mean? What could be the reason behind it? Of course, we all do not want to experience such conditions. If you , you would see how essential it is to address this toothache and ear pain in the same side. In actuality, there could be an underlying cause for these issues. Fortunately, this article can help us find out more details about those causes. So, hang in there. We will keep you accompanied throughout the article.
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Ear Ache And Swollen Gums
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 12/1/2020
Earache and swollen gums can be present with teething in infants. Earache can otherwise be related to infections anywhere in the ear canal, a foreign object in the ear, or a sinus infection. Swollen gums may be due to inflammation of the gums . It is important to check in with your doctor if you are bothered by these or any other symptoms.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
What Can I Expect During A Root Canal Procedure
The first step during a root canal treatment is an X-ray to determine the exact source of the issue. Your dentist will then give you a local anesthetic in the infected area, so you wont feel anything during the actual root canal. After the anesthetic has left you feeling comfortably numb, the inside of the tooth is removedthis is known as a pulpectomy and it removes the infected pulp inside the tooth that is responsible for your tooth pain. Your dentist will then thoroughly clean and disinfect the cavity and the area surrounding it before filling and sealing the gap, which stops further infection from decaying the tooth.
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How An Earache Can Indicate A Dental Problem
Depending on the cause and intensity, the pain and tenderness from an infected or decayed tooth can extend beyond the tooth and feel like a headache or earache. In fact, many common dental and oral health problems can result in symptoms, like ear pain. A dental exam is necessary to determine the cause of your symptoms, so you should schedule an appointment if your pain intensifies or lasts for more than a few days. Our dentist Dr. Mehrnoosh Darj offers cosmetic and general dentistry services in El Paso, Texas and surrounding areas for all your oral health care needs.
Cavities Periodontal Disease Or Abscesses
When it comes to tooth and ear pain, the most frequent types of dental issues to cause referred ear pain are those associated with infected upper back teeth . If there is an abscessed tooth, serious gum disease, or a severe area of tooth decay, the pain can seem as if its coming from the ear.
Symptoms
This type of tooth pain can range from dull, chronic aches to sharp, acute pain. There may also be swelling along the gums, or visible fistulas that give off a salty taste as they come and go. Gums may bleed when youre brushing and flossing.
Treatment
The best type of treatment will depend on the specific type of tooth infection you have. For periodontitis, that would be a deep cleaning and any other gum therapies. For cavities, you would probably need a filling. Abscessed teeth will typically need endodontic therapy if they can be saved. More serious stages of these infections might require a tooth extraction.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Tooth Infection
You may only experience toothache and sensitivity in the early stages of a dental infection. However, it will go away if you take any pain medication.
If the underlying problem is not treated in a timely fashion, the infection can lead to the formation of a tooth abscess. According to the National Health Service, an abscess is a pus-filled cavity that forms around infected teeth, gums, or the bone that supports our teeth. Dental abscesses are not only painful, but they indicate a severe infection that should not be overlooked. According to the American Dental Association, some of the symptoms of a tooth infection include:
- Swelling and redness of the face on the side of the affected tooth
- Severe, throbbing pain in the affected tooth
- The pain may also radiate towards the ears, jaws or neck on the same side
- Tender and mobile teeth
- Shiny, red, and swollen gums
- Pus discharge from the affected tooth
- Bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Difficulty in chewing or opening mouth
Home Remedies For Throat And Ear Pain
There are a few things that you can try to relieve your throat and ear pain at home, including:
- Keeping your upper body elevated while you sleep
- Sucking on cough drops
- Drinking plenty of cold fluids and eating ice pops or ice cream
- Applying warm compresses or cold packs to your throat or the side of your head over your ear
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