Can Toothache Cause Earache?

There are dozens of reasons why you might experience a toothache, and some are more serious than others. In any case, we will always recommend that you speak to your dentist if you get a toothache and make an appointment if the pain persists.

Toothaches will only get worse as time goes on if they are left untreated, and it isn’t worth the pain. The sooner you make an appointment, the sooner the issue can be dealt with, and you can go back to enjoying your life – pain free.

Medical issues that will require treatment that can cause toothache:

• Tooth extraction pain – you are likely to experience pain up to two weeks after getting a tooth extracted, whether the removed tooth gets replaced with an implant or you leave the area open. Make sure to follow the correct care and hygiene procedures to minimise pain and encourage healing.
• Bad or damaged fillings – fillings will wear down and become damaged due to normal wear and tear. When this happens, the filling will need to be fixed or replaced, which is a very common procedure and nothing you need to stress about – just make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
• Tooth eruption – this means that a new tooth is coming through. The primary tooth eruption that will cause pain are the wisdom teeth, which can grow in the wrong direction or cause the mouth to become too crowded. It is common for wisdom teeth to be removed in a minor surgical operation.
• Tooth fractures – cracked or damaged teeth can result in tooth fractures, which can get worse over time. Many people will experience a throbbing pain that will come and go, and pain is likely to worsen if the pulp of the tooth gets irritated by air, water, bacteria, or food.
• Gum infections – infected gums can lead to tooth pain and potentially periodontitis and gum disease. This can be the result of poor oral hygiene, genetics, health conditions (e.g. diabetes), excessive drinking or smoking, and a poor diet.
• Abscesses – abscesses form when all or some of the tooth pulp (soft inner part of the tooth) dies to create a pocket where bacteria grow. The bacteria will transform into a painful abscess. Injuries that cause a cracked tooth can also result in abscesses.
• Tooth decay – the most common cause of toothaches and the result of poor oral hygiene that leads to the enamel of the tooth being worn away by bacteria. An excess of bacteria will form plaque, which will read to the decay and create white, brown, or black spots on the teeth.
• Loose crowns – since crowns bond teeth together, a loose crown will leave space for bacteria to get into the area and cause infections and nerve pain. In this case, the loose crown will need to be removed, and a new one fitted in.

These can also cause toothache, but might not always need medical intervention to remedy the situation:

• Sinus tooth pain – it isn’t uncommon for sinus issues to trick you into thinking that you have tooth pain due to how close the teeth and sinuses are. If the pain comes from the sinus problem, you need to treat that issue.
• Bruxism – this includes clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth, which exerts pressure onto your teeth and will eventually result in tooth and jaw pain. Untreated bruxism can result in cavities, loose filling, and tooth fractures, and you might notice symptoms such as teeth that are yellowing, becoming more sensitive, rough, or have tiny cracks.

Are Toothaches Serious?

Toothaches can be serious, but they usually aren’t. While these pains will tell you that something is wrong, they are not usually life-threatening or an emergency on their own – but that doesn’t make them any less painful or unpleasant.

Can Toothache Cause Earache?