7 pathologies that can cause ear and tooth pain at the same time

Many people are interested in whether a tooth can hurt their ear. Indeed, such a situation can easily happen, because everything in the body is interconnected. And we should not forget the fact that almost the entire maxillofacial apparatus is covered by branches of the trigeminal nerve, which can react to any disturbance with inflammation or pain. And because the tooth hurts the ear, the clinical picture may be unclear, so some patients are in no hurry to visit the dentist, which only aggravates the course of the disease, believing that the cause lies elsewhere. The editors of the UltraSmile.ru portal offer for consideration the most common situations when these two phenomena - ear and tooth pain at the same time - are interconnected.

Often pain in the tooth and ear are interrelated

Comments

I can’t understand, my tooth hurts and that’s why it radiates into my ear. Or, on the contrary, the ear hurts and it hurts the tooth. Which doctor is better to go to?

Nathan (02.11.2019 at 16:37) Reply to comment

Dear Nathan! After reading our article, you should have realized that pathology can be caused by completely different reasons. Only a doctor after examination can determine the true one. In your case, it is recommended to first visit two specialists: a dentist and an otolaryngologist. If these doctors do not find anything, then further examination by an orthopedist or neurologist may be required.

Editorial staff of the portal UltraSmile.ru (09.11.2019 at 09:14) Reply to comment

Ear and tooth hurt. I did an independent examination in front of the mirror, all the teeth in my mouth were intact, there were no holes. I haven’t gotten my ticket to the ENT specialist yet; in our city it’s a big problem to get to see this specialist for free. To avoid pain, I take pills, my grandmother also advises warming my cheek, supposedly this helps. Is it possible to do this?

AlisaV. (11/26/2019 at 12:19 pm) Reply to comment

Dear Alisa! If you have not noticed any pathologies externally, this does not mean that you do not have dental problems. For example, it is almost impossible for the patient to notice a cyst in the early stages on his own. Therefore, it is still recommended that you go to the dentist. As for warming up the cheek, this is strictly forbidden, because... if the inflammatory process is to blame, then the infection, when warmed up, can spread through the bloodstream to the surrounding tissues, and your condition will only worsen.

Editorial staff of the portal UltraSmile.ru (01.12.2019 at 09:21) Reply to comment

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Does your tooth or ear hurt? How to identify the source of discomfort and alleviate your condition

The roots of the chewing teeth of the upper jaw are located next to the ear canals, so discomfort caused by diseases of the hearing organs is often mistaken for pain in the molars. If you have tooth and ear pain at the same time, you need to undergo appropriate diagnostics from a specialist. Only with the help of a professional examination can one differentiate the pathology and choose the appropriate treatment vector. Read further in this article about how to understand whether your ear or tooth hurts, and what to do in such a situation.

Swelling after tooth extraction

Tooth extraction is an unpleasant procedure. It naturally has a destructive effect on both the gums and the tissue around the tooth. After this operation, unpleasant results are quite often observed.

It often happens that some discomfort appears at the site of the extracted tooth.

Sometimes after tooth extraction, the patient observes swelling of the gums, sometimes the neck, and also detects the formation of gumboils. The reason for this is inevitable damage to the tissue around the tooth being removed. If the postoperative period passes without any complications, the swelling will disappear after two or three days, which is considered normal. To relieve symptoms, it is recommended to use cooling ice compresses (they should be applied to the cheek area for fifteen minutes). This method is extremely effective, but with one condition - it must be used on the first day after tooth extraction. If the swelling does not decrease, then after a day heat compresses are used. The heating pad is applied to the cheek, but not for fifteen, but for twenty minutes, taking into account short breaks.

It happens that the cause of swelling is an allergic reaction to painkillers. Then the patient uses antihistamines prescribed by the doctor.

Important ! You should not rely on self-medication - if the swelling does not go away, it is better to immediately consult a dentist or surgeon.

Sometimes the cause of swelling in the place where there was previously a tooth is an allergic reaction in the patient to drugs

Causes of pain in the tooth and ear at the same time

Many people wonder whether the ear can hurt due to the progression of dental disease. This is true, because the root system of the upper molars in the distal sections is located in close proximity to the ear canals. The appearance of discomfort and unpleasant sensations in this area can be caused by various reasons - the main ones are listed below.

Problematic wisdom tooth eruption

The sixth molars - the last in the row - usually begin to grow between the ages of 18 and 25, but in some they appear later. Dental experts call them rudiments. This means that in current realities they do not carry any important functional load, and their removal does not in any way affect the health of the oral cavity.

Pain may occur when wisdom teeth erupt

On the other hand, eights often do not have enough space to cut out unhindered. In addition, they may initially lie in the wrong position. When the growth process begins, wisdom teeth create pressure on their “neighbors” and lead to their curvature. They often cause inflammation of the gingival hood and its suppuration, which becomes a source of severe pain. In such a situation, the ear usually “shoots” and is blocked on one side.

Many patients also complain of a sore throat, jaw pain when trying to open their mouth wide, and fever. If the pain comes from a wisdom tooth, the optimal solution would be to remove the problematic element. If the procedure is performed poorly, this can cause complications. And then the pain will appear after the tooth is removed as a result of injury and inflammation of the soft tissues.

Pulpitis – inflammation of the dental nerve

This dental disease, as a rule, becomes a consequence of advanced deep caries. Pathogenic microorganisms destroy enamel and dentin, after which they reach the pulp (neurovascular bundle) and lead to its inflammation. In other cases, a similar clinical picture occurs against the background of severe trauma resulting from a blow or, for example, a fall.

Pulpitis can also cause pain

Regardless of what the cause was, the disease in its acute form leads to severe piercing pain, which often radiates to the ear. With pulpitis, discomfort becomes especially intense at night. An advanced form of this pathology often provokes the formation of cysts and granulomas. Treatment usually involves partial or complete amputation of the pulp, as well as surgical excision of tumors with simultaneous resection of the root apex if necessary.

Cysts and granulomas

As noted above, the formation of a cyst, complicated by purulent processes, often becomes a consequence of advanced pulpitis. The gradual increase in swelling and increase in the volume of purulent masses creates pressure on the soft tissues, which leads to irritation of the nerve endings. As a result, unpleasant sensations are localized not only in the gums, but also in the ear area and in the temporal zone.

The purulent process also causes pain

Traumatic factor

Another common cause is bruises, falls and impacts. In other situations, injury occurs during dental treatment. Against the background of damage to the root system and surrounding soft tissues, inflammation may begin.

Inflammation of the ear - otitis media

Unpleasant aching pain often takes on a pulsating and shooting character, spreading to the jaw and lymph nodes. With this clinical picture, severe headaches and migraines are observed. Otitis media is more often diagnosed in childhood. The prerequisite for the development of the disease is usually the active activity of streptococci.

“It was like this with my youngest son. The time has come for him to cut his chewing teeth, he became very capricious and whiny, somehow he could bear the incisors more easily. Well, I didn’t attach much importance, it was more difficult with the older ones, they didn’t sleep at all. And then the temperature jumped, we immediately called an ambulance. It turned out to be otitis, although the molars also went. Maybe one thing got caught up in the other, I don’t know. But now I always call the doctor even for small reasons, it’s calmer.”

Ludmila86, from correspondence on the woman.ru forum

The symptom may indicate otitis media.
Inflammation causes severe discomfort in the entire jaw, on the right or left side, depending on the location of the pathological process. Usually against this background, body temperature rises significantly – up to 39 °C. Patients complain of general weakness, loss of appetite and insomnia, and frequent headaches. Often the pathology develops as a complication of flu, sinusitis, acute respiratory infections or tonsillitis.

Trigeminal neuralgia

Inflammation of the nerve may be the result of injury that occurred during an unsuccessful tooth extraction or other dental procedure. Among other provoking factors, experts identify severe hypothermia, cardiovascular pathologies and some viral infections.

The trigeminal nerve is the main sensory organ in the structure of the dental system. It has three branches (upper and lower jaw, orbit), so its damage leads to widespread pain, the exact localization of which can be quite difficult to determine.

Trigeminal neuralgia is also accompanied by acute pain

The classic clinical picture of trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by symptoms such as acute sharp pain, cramps of masticatory and facial muscles, uncontrolled lacrimation and salivation. Many patients describe their sensations as an electric shock, but in some cases the pain becomes a constant aching character.

TMJ pathologies

In some cases, the cause is a dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. This can happen due to the aggressive course of rheumatoid diseases, including arthritis, arthrosis or gout. In this case, the patient may experience certain difficulties when trying to open his mouth wide, and discomfort may arise during chewing food and articulation.

In some cases, the cause is a dysfunction of the TMJ

Other reasons

Sometimes characteristic symptoms occur against the background of other pathological processes. So, if a tooth hurts badly, and the pain radiates to the ear, lymph nodes and neck, the reasons may be the following:

• brain diseases,
• pathologies of the heart and blood vessels,
• mental disorders,
• otitis media and other hearing diseases.

In the latter case, inflammation of the ear canal occurs. Characteristic signs of the disease are shooting pain and increased body temperature. You need to see a doctor urgently. Otherwise, the inflammatory process risks spreading to the inner ear and leading to hearing problems.

What can you do first?

First of all, with such symptoms, you need to urgently consult a specialist. If you are unable to see a doctor soon, you can take a painkiller tablet and rinse your mouth with a weak soda-salt solution to disinfect and relieve acute inflammation. For chronic otitis media, you can put drops that you usually use into the sore ear.

In such a situation, you should never self-medicate, otherwise you can easily provoke the emergence of even more serious complications. If the gums in the problem area are red and swollen, try not to touch it with the tip of your tongue, much less with your fingers. Do not apply heat to the inflamed area - this will only increase the pain.

How to help yourself at home - folk remedies

If the unpleasant sensations are localized specifically in the ear, try inserting an aloe leaf wrapped in gauze into the ear. If you are prone to otitis, there is another option - prepare a celandine tincture. You just need to do this in advance. To do this, pour 20 g of raw material into 100 g of vodka and put it in a dark place for 10 days. Then strain and store in a cool place. If necessary, use the infusion as follows: soak a cotton swab in it and place it in the ear canal.

A decoction of medicinal herbs is good for toothache. For example, you can take 2 tablespoons of chamomile and sage, mix them, pour a glass of boiling water and put in a water bath for half an hour. After this, cool, strain and use for mouth rinsing. Another proven effective option is a soda-salt solution. Mix a teaspoon of salt and soda in a glass of warm water and also use for rinsing.

Herbal decoctions can be used at home

Medications and treatment

If even after dental treatment the pain persists and its intensity increases, you need to urgently go to the doctor. This is a clear sign of relapse of inflammation and the development of complications. The faster medical care is provided, the easier it will be to stop the pathological process.

If a symptom appears for no apparent reason, you can immediately consult an otolaryngologist. If ear problems are not confirmed, you will have to undergo an examination for dental diseases under the supervision of an appropriate specialist. Before visiting the doctor, you are allowed to take a painkiller tablet: “Ketanov”, “Baralgin” or, for example, “Nimesulide”.

Modern painkillers are quite effective

Separately, it is necessary to say about inflammation of the trigeminal nerve. In this case, a neurologist should deal with the problem. As part of the therapy, the patient will be prescribed appropriate medications, injections and physiotherapeutic procedures. In difficult cases it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention. Carpamazepine is considered one of the most effective drugs for relieving acute inflammation. Acupuncture has proven itself to be an effective method for reducing severe pain1.

Pus

If after a tooth extraction the doctor discovers pus in the wound, this may indicate the presence of colonies of bacteria in it. The reasons for this are different.

1. Inattentive adherence to doctor's recommendations for hygiene procedures after surgery.
2. The remaining tooth fragment.
3. Complex surgery (for example, removal of a wisdom tooth).

Timely initiation of treatment after consulting a doctor will help avoid complications: fistulas, abscesses or even cysts.

If both pus and pain appear in the ear after extraction, there is a need for additional therapy

A common complication is dry socket.

Normally, after tooth extraction, the presence of a small blood clot is observed, which serves as protection from external factors. In addition, the blood clot serves as a means of accelerated and proper healing, as well as the creation of a structure from bone tissue. In order to heal the hole, the patient needs to follow simple rules. For about a day after surgery, you should avoid eating foods that are too hot or cold. Active mouth rinsing is also not allowed. In the absence of a clot, the patient develops a so-called “dry socket.”

It occurs after serious interventions when nearby tissues are injured. One of the main symptoms of a “dry socket” is pain radiating to the ear, as well as impaired taste sensations.

“Dry socket” is the cause of gum inflammation

The consequence of a “dry socket” is not very pleasant - inflammation of the gums. Therefore, if a patient experiences severe pain after surgery, he needs the help of a specialist who will prescribe a course of treatment with NSAIDs. They will need to be taken until the wound is at least partially healed.

Therapy for the appearance of “dry socket”

As we have already mentioned, during the normal course of the recovery process after extraction, the formation of a blood clot should occur, which performs protective functions and helps rapid tissue regeneration. If it is washed out or damaged, a “dry socket” appears. This happens when eating solid food that can injure the mucous membranes, as well as when rinsing.

Your doctor may prescribe medicated compresses to relieve pain.

In such cases, the attending physician usually prescribes the application of compresses with antiseptic and healing medicinal compositions that accelerate healing.

Preventive measures

We found out why an alarming symptom may appear and what to do about it. Now let's move on to the question of how to prevent an unpleasant situation.

The main preventive measure is regular visits to the dentist for prevention, as well as taking care of your health. It is advisable to undergo a comprehensive examination of the body every year and take all necessary tests. Such a responsible approach will allow timely recognition of the pathological process and initiation of treatment.

Preventative dental examinations will help avoid problems.

Neuralgic diseases usually develop against the background of serious injuries, viral infections, tumors and other systemic disorders. To reduce the risk of developing inflammation, you need to try to eliminate all traumatic factors and strengthen the immune system. Proper nutrition, physical activity and giving up bad habits are the basic rules of a healthy lifestyle.

If a symptom has already appeared, do not delay visiting a doctor. Painkillers only mask the discomfort, while the pathological process continues to progress. If the problem is an infection, it can easily spread through the bloodstream throughout the body, and then there is a serious risk of developing life-threatening conditions.

1Zhuravlev V.P. Etiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of true trigeminal neuralgia, 2001.

Alveolitis

This condition occurs for various reasons. This usually happens with chronic periodontitis (when the patient has inflamed tissue around the tooth) or if there is a tooth fragment in the wound. This provokes infection of the socket and accompanying inflammation. Typically, symptoms of this condition include bad breath and pain. Over time, the condition progresses, a grayish coating is found in the socket, and the pain intensifies so much that difficulties arise with eating.

Alveolitis is accompanied by pain and bad breath

If you have such symptoms, it is better to immediately consult a doctor, since only he can prescribe adequate therapy and treat the holes with disinfectants. Self-medication causes unpleasant manifestations in the form of inflammation of the periosteum, pus and phlegmon.

More about alveolitis

Diagnosis of pericoronitis

Manifestations of acute pericoronitis may resemble pulpitis and periodontitis. But even an untrained person can distinguish these diseases from each other. Thus, with acute pulpitis, throbbing pain does not interfere with opening the mouth, and the gums often remain calm, without swelling and redness.

With periodontitis, swelling and redness of the gums are common symptoms. But periodontitis develops under a fully erupted tooth and is most often a consequence of advanced caries. With pericoronaritis, the tooth has not fully erupted.

A dentist can make an accurate diagnosis. Radiography is mandatory - a targeted image will help to accurately assess the condition of the tissues, the position of the erupting tooth in the jaw, the extent of the spread of the inflammatory process, and also exclude diseases with similar symptoms.

Increase in body temperature after tooth extraction

When the temperature rises to subfebrile (37.0-37.9) values ​​or slightly higher, this is a completely adequate reaction of the body to a traumatic intervention. Usually in the evening it is slightly higher; normally it lasts up to three days. Use disinfectants prescribed by your doctor, do not neglect hygiene procedures, and if the temperature rises above 38, you can bring it down with medications. However, tell your doctor if more than three days have passed and your fever does not subside.

If, after extraction of a diseased tooth, ear pain and an increase in body temperature appear, it is better to inform a specialist about this