Posted by Pain in either the teeth or jaw usually indicates an issue that needs attention, so over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen should usually suffice until an appointment with a dental professional can be scheduled.
Sharp, stabbing tooth pain often indicates something is amiss with the pulp inside a tooth – this could be an indicator of decay, fractures or exposed roots caused by gum disease or tooth abscess.
It is highly important that you are aware of the symptoms of tooth pain and jaw pain since prevention is the key to avoiding all the problems associated with such conditions. Fortunately, there is not much that you have to know about. Below you can so easily find all the common causes and symptoms associated. Stay on the lookout for them and you will quickly be able to understand it.
Frequent Vomiting
If you experience episodes of vomiting that last a day or more, medical assistance should be sought immediately. Vomiting increases stomach acidity levels, which may irritate or damage teeth. Furthermore, vomiting increases pressure within your esophagus; severe episodes could rupture it (hematemesis).
Over-the-counter painkillers may provide temporary relief, but they won’t address the source. Consultations with a doctor or the hospital’s emergency department is absolutely essential if you experience high fever, chills, chest pain or an unusual face or neck rash.
As long as you follow dental health recommendations such as brushing twice daily and not chewing pencils or ice, and following other dental health advice, the chances of toothache decrease significantly. Even healthy mouths can still experience tooth pain due to sensitive areas in their mouths, cracks or cavities forming, infections or other issues; by ignoring pain only allows its source to worsen over time, according to Manhattan prosthodontist Mazen Natour DMD who told Health.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia causes intense discomfort in both jaws, with pain also often experienced in cheek, forehead and eyes. Trigeminal nerve irritation often caused by blood vessel compression damaging myelin sheath protectants is typically responsible. Pain attacks typically last short but could persist for weeks or months – unlike many forms of pain such as paracetamol or ibuprofen which tend to provide temporary relief.
Neuropathic pain (as opposed to dental toothache) refers to any discomfort caused by lesions or dysfunction in the nervous system and includes trigeminal neuralgia, atypical odontalgia, burning mouth syndrome and postherpetic neuralgias – each one can often be managed using medication such as carbamazepine (Tegretol).
Some individuals eventually reach a point where medications no longer help and surgery may become necessary. Microvascular decompression surgery has proven the most successful for TN sufferers; doctors remove small portions of trigeminal nerve to relieve pain. A similar procedure, neurectomy, may also be performed; however approximately one third of these cases will return 10-15 years later.
Heart Attack
Pain in one side of your jaw could be a telltale sign that you’re having a heart attack, particularly for those with history of cardiovascular disease and often accompanied by pressure in chest, sweating or feeling light headedness.
Studies have demonstrated that oral bacteria, when allowed into blood vessels of the heart, can accumulate fatty deposits that contribute to coronary heart disease as well as inflammation of muscle and heart valves (endocarditis). This impedes food sources and oxygen distribution to the heart causing it to cease working properly and eventually cease beating altogether.
One woman who experienced a heart attack reported experiencing intense tooth, nose and throat pain from grinding/clenching of teeth bruxism that led to narrowed arteries resulting in her having suffered from heart attacks.
Head Cold
Head colds often feel similar to toothaches, particularly if the symptoms include throbbing, aching or temperature sensitivity. Sweet and acidic food or chewing could worsen this pain further. Cold symptoms have also been linked to increased sinus pressure leading to inflammation and infection of sinuses – something which is spread via coughing and sneezing; so for best results use tissues when coughing/sneezing in order to contain infection before cleaning your hands afterward.
Other signs of a head cold include runny nose, nasal congestion and sore throat – symptoms which a humidifier at home may help ease. Acetaminophen may be taken over-the-counter for head cold symptoms. If fever or chills appear this could indicate more serious problems; see your physician as soon as possible if this occurs. Headache and stiff neck symptoms could also indicate you’re sick!