What can mimic a toothache?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD).
The pain can mimic a toothache, when it actually originates in the jaw joints.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on berksdentalarts.com


What can be mistaken for toothache?

A painful nerve condition called trigeminal neuralgia is often confused with a bad toothache. The trigeminal nerve—actually a pair of primarily sensory nerves—leaves the brain at the base of the skull and travels through soft tissue to reach each side of the face.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on deardoctor.com


Can tooth pain be something else?

Toothaches May Indicate Problems Elsewhere

For instance, sinusitis, or sinus infection, can cause the roots of the upper teeth to hurt simply because they are close to the irritated, swollen sinus cavity. Also, sometimes tooth pain can be a symptom of serious heart and lung conditions such as: lung cancer.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on americandental-va.com


What causes tooth pain besides infection?

Brushing and Flossing – If you brush and floss too hard or are using the wrong type of floss or toothbrush, you may inadvertently irritate the gums and create minor pain in the teeth. 10. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) – Excess pressure is required to grind the teeth and could result in damage, pain, and discomfort.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kennedysquaredental.com


Why does my tooth hurt but there is no cavity?

Tooth sensitivity occurs when the inner layer of your tooth, known as dentin, becomes exposed. This type of toothache occurs even when there's no cavity to find. Dentin usually becomes exposed when there's a wearing away of enamel or gum recession.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on colgate.com


10 Ways to Kill a Toothache In a Minute



Can your tooth hurt without being infected?

There are many possible reasons people will confuse pain in their mouth with a toothache. Things that can mimic a toothache include muscle damage, TMJ disorders, dental nerve damage, and injury to areas around the tooth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ushealthgroup.com


What does throbbing tooth pain mean?

Throbbing tooth pain is a sign that you might have tooth damage. Tooth decay or a cavity can give you a toothache. Throbbing tooth pain can also happen if there is an infection in the tooth or in the gums surrounding it. Toothaches are typically caused by an infection or inflammation in the tooth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Can you have a tooth infection without an abscess?

It's Possible to Have No Symptoms With a Tooth Infection

Once bacteria are able to enter the inner chamber of a tooth—where nerves that supply blood and feeling to the tooth are housed—they typically cause an infection [1]. The infection may cause the inner tissue of the tooth, and the tooth itself, to die.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on yourdentalhealthresource.com


Can you fake a toothache?

While dental conditions cause most toothaches, there are several non-dental reasons, as well. In other cases like sinusitis, you could experience a fake toothache. The severity of the pain you experience could range from mild to sharp and could be an occasional or chronic one.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hinsdaledental.com


Can Covid 19 cause your teeth to hurt?

Some people have developed toothaches, dental pain, and even bad breath after contracting COVID-19. These symptoms can be a sign that an infection has developed or is developing in the mouth. Covid teeth pain is one of the first signs people experience.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fortsondentistry.com


Does neuralgia feel like toothache?

Trigeminal Neuralgia is often misdiagnosed as dental pain, since pain is frequently triggered when someone chews or talks. However, pain can also occur when someone touches their face, shaves or simply feels the wind.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on legacyneuro.com


How do you know if its a toothache or earache?

In order to tell the difference between a toothache and an earache, it is important to know what the symptoms and causes of each are.
  1. Toothache Symptoms: Experiencing pain inside or around your tooth. ...
  2. Toothache Causes: Cavities or infections. ...
  3. Earache Symptoms: Pain in or around the ear. ...
  4. Earache Causes: Fluid in the eardrum.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cityoasis.dental


How do I know if it's a toothache or sinus infection?

A toothache is often centralized, or localized to a specific area in your mouth; whereas sinus pressure is often less intense and represents more of a dull, aching pain that is not isolated to just one location and that may be felt over a vaster area.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on salemdentistma.com


Does jaw pain feel like a toothache?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can put you out of commission because of how severe it can be. However, because of its location and the responsibilities it holds, TMJ pain can often feel like dental pain.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on venicedentist.com


What does phantom tooth feel like?

What Is Phantom Tooth Pain? Phantom tooth pain is a constant, chronic, lingering pain in your mouth in an area where you just had dental work done. For example, after an extraction you feel pain in the space where there is no longer a tooth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on milltownfamilydentistry.com


How do you deaden a nerve in your tooth?

Want to numb your tooth pain? Swishing alcohol like whiskey, scotch, vodka, and brandy will kill the germs and help numb the area around the tooth. A cotton ball soaked in alcohol and applied to the affected area might also be a good way to apply this pain reliever.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lrfamilydentalcare.com


What is sympathetic tooth pain?

Nearby Teeth

Teeth near the surgical site may ache for some time afterwards. This is temporary, and is known as “sympathetic pain”. Similarly, adjacent teeth may feel slightly loose after surgery; this is a result of normal swelling around the teeth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on coronationdentalspecialty.ca


How do you know if you have a bacterial infection in your mouth?

For bacterial mouth infections, including periodontitis, look out for symptoms including:
  1. Bad breath.
  2. Bitter taste.
  3. Persistent pain.
  4. Sensitive or loose teeth.
  5. Swollen and inflamed gums, neck glands or jaw.
  6. Receding gums or new spaces between your teeth.
  7. Headache.
  8. Fever.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on zendium.co.uk


How can I tell if my tooth is infected?

Signs you have an infected tooth include:
  1. Severe toothache.
  2. Sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
  3. Difficulty swallowing.
  4. Pain when biting down.
  5. Fever.
  6. Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck or jaw.
  7. Swollen face or cheeks.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on banderdentalgroup.com


What are the symptoms of a jaw bone infection?

Symptoms of a jaw bone infection or dental abscess include:
  • Pain in the mouth or jaw.
  • Redness or swelling.
  • Drainage of pus from the area.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hopkinsmedicine.org


What does nerve pain in tooth feel like?

Tooth nerve pain can feel severe like a sharp, stabbing pain or as little as a dull ache. If your tooth nerve is exposed, particular foods and drinks will probably trigger the pain. Pain in an exposed tooth nerve can be triggered by foods and drinks that are hot or cold, sugary, acidic, or sour.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on capozzidental.com


What is the best painkiller for toothache?

“Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin or naproxen work well with dental pain because they reduce inflammation,” says Huang. Recent data has shown the combination of Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) is as effective as prescription opioids for tooth pain.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on forbes.com


Why does toothache get worse at night?

Toothaches can be painful in the day, but they may seem to get worse at night. One reason that this may occur is because when a person is lying down, blood rushes to the head. This extra blood in the area may increase the pain and pressure that people feel from a toothache.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com


Can a tooth infection go away on its own?

A tooth abscess won't go away without treatment. If the abscess ruptures, the pain may decrease significantly — but you still need dental treatment. If the abscess doesn't drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org


What does a dull toothache mean?

A dull ache can mean something fairly simple, like having a piece of food stuck in your tooth, or it can mean you have tooth decay present. If the dull ache is located in the back of your mouth, it may be due to your wisdom teeth coming in, or your pain may be a symptom of nighttime bruxism.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on brucesextondds.com
Previous question
Whats better 14k or 18k gold?