Tooth pain, or any pain, can radiate to other parts of the body, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of your discomfort. For example, patients sometimes believe they have a sinus or ear infection when the real source is an infected or abscessed tooth.
Radiating or Referred Pain in Dentistry
Shared nerve pathways in the body can make you feel as if you have chest pain when the real culprit is your esophagus. Likewise, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD) affects the hinge-like joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. Sometimes, TMJ can feel like ear or neck pain instead.
For these reasons, regular dental and medical care are crucial. If your ENT says there is no sinus infection, your next step should be an appointment with your Greeley dentist.
It’s important to remember that an abscessed tooth can (in some cases) cause a fever, which can further confuse your symptoms.
Signs the Pain Might be Dental Related
- Only one tooth hurts. — With a sinus or ear infection, pain often radiates to multiple teeth in succession.
- Your toothache worsens when you bite down. — Ear or sinus pain should not worsen with biting or chewing.
- Pain worsens when you expose the tooth to hot or cold. — This does not happen with referred pain.
- You don’t have stuffiness or a hearing issue. — This generally points to a dental issue.
These signs are not conclusive enough for a self-diagnosis. It’s still important to see a dentist for diagnosis and treatment.
A Toothache Is a Dental Emergency in Greeley, CO
If you have a toothache, especially if it is worsening or accompanied by swelling, please call our dental office as soon as possible to schedule a visit. Prompt treatment prevents the spread of infection and potential loss of your tooth.
Our dental team is happy to work with CareCredit financing.