It can be pretty painful and frustrating to deal with a painful tooth, so imagine if your ear starts hurting, too. You may think the universe is against you as you suffer from tooth and ear pain at the same time, but there might be a connection between the two. So, can a toothache cause ear pain? Continue reading to find out!
Is It Possible for a Toothache to Cause Ear Pain?
Yes, it is possible to experience ear pain due to a toothache. Our teeth and ears are positioned close to each other, and the primary nerve extends from the upper and lower jaw, encircles the jaw joint, and travels into the head to connect with the spinal column. Known as trigeminal, this nerve can cause referred pain, which makes you think that one area of the body is hurting when it is the other in reality. Toothache can refer to other areas, including the head, face, neck, and ears. There are other reasons why a toothache might cause ear pain, too!
Reasons Behind Toothache and Ear Pain at the Same Time
There are multiple reasons why your tooth pain might be behind the discomfort in your ear. When your dentist knows the connection between toothache and ear pain, they can resolve the issue and restore your comfort. Here are some possible causes:
- TMJ Disorders: The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to the skull, and problems associated with this joint are called temporomandibular disorders (TMD). When the TMJ muscles become overworked, tight, injured, etc., it can cause pain and discomfort in the teeth, jaw, ears, and other parts of your face. So, an ear pain and toothache at the same time could be due to TMJ disorder.
- Oral Infections: If you have an infection in your teeth or gums, you may develop an abscess. The pain might disappear from your tooth and reappear in your jaw or ear, indicating that the infection is spreading.
- Teeth Grinding: If you grind your teeth, especially in your sleep, it can produce muscle tension and stress in your face, neck, and jaw. You may experience jaw pain, ear pain, and dental pain due to the grinding.
- Sinus Infections: A sinus infection can cause pain in teeth and ears at the same time. This is because the sinuses are inflamed and swollen, which might apply pressure on the ears and teeth. You may have sinus tooth pain, ear pain, and other symptoms due to infection in your sinuses!
- Jaw Injuries: When your jaw undergoes an injury, it can cause a broken jaw and strained muscles. You may experience toothache and ear pain after the jaw injury, among other symptoms, and you will require medical attention!
Closing Note
If you have a toothache, it might be the cause of ear pain that you experience at the same time. The reason could be infections, injury, TMJ disorders, referred pain, and more.
Talk to our team at Whole Health Dental Center for effective treatment. Call (703) 385-6425 to reach us!