Can a toothache lead to earache?

Can a toothache cause ear pain?

Cleveland Clinic says a tooth abscess can cause severe tooth pain that is shooting or throbbing and may radiate to the ear, jaw or neck, and that it can hurt constantly or only when chewing. Because teeth, jaw and ear share nearby nerves, pain from one can be felt in another, so ear pain does not always mean an ear problem.

A tooth abscess is a serious cause. Cleveland Clinic lists bad breath or a bitter taste, gum redness and swelling, a loose tooth, swelling of the jaw, swollen lymph nodes, an open draining sore on the gum and fever among the other symptoms.

What causes a tooth abscess

Cleveland Clinic lists severe cavities, broken, chipped or cracked teeth, gum disease and tooth injury, even without a visible crack. Risk factors include smoking, dry mouth, poor oral hygiene and a weakened immune system. Our guide on cavities explains how untreated decay can reach the nerve.

Other causes of tooth and ear pain together

Not all tooth-and-ear pain starts in a tooth. Cleveland Clinic and NIDCR list earaches or ringing in the ears among TMJ symptoms, and our guide on why your jaw hurts goes through them. Healthline says sinus infection can cause pain in the upper rear teeth, usually several at once, with congestion and facial pressure. Cleveland Clinic also lists headaches and pain that radiates to the jaw, face and head among the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth.

Will a toothache go away on its own?

Not reliably. Cleveland Clinic says a tooth abscess will not heal on its own and that home remedies do not permanently resolve it. It warns that the pain may fade if the pulp dies, but the infection can keep spreading, so you should see a dentist even if the pain stops. Cleveland Clinic's toothache page advises calling a dentist for a toothache lasting longer than two days.

The sources we read do not give a typical duration for a toothache, because the cause decides it, so do not wait for it to pass.

Can a toothache give you a headache?

Pain can spread beyond the tooth. Cleveland Clinic lists pain that radiates to the head among the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, and NIDCR describes headaches linked to TMD. If you have a severe headache with fever or neck stiffness, seek medical care.

What a dentist will check

A dentist will ask when the pain started, what triggers it, and whether it radiates, then examine the tooth and gums and usually take X-rays. Because tooth, jaw, sinus and ear problems overlap, the dentist may also check the jaw joint and suggest seeing a doctor if no dental cause is found. Healthline says to see a doctor if the dentist finds no dental cause for a toothache.

What helps for a short time

Cleveland Clinic lists warm salt water rinses and over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, naproxen or ibuprofen as temporary relief for an abscessed tooth, and a wrapped ice pack on the outside of the jaw for about 20 minutes several times a day for a toothache. These do not treat the cause. A dentist may need to drain an abscess, perform a root canal, or extract the tooth, and antibiotics help with remaining bacteria but do not remove the source of infection.

Toothache at night and during pregnancy

Two supporting questions are not answered by the sources we read: why a toothache can feel worse at night, and which pain relievers are safe in pregnancy. For pregnancy, tell your dentist you are pregnant, and ask your dentist, pharmacist or obstetric provider before taking any medicine. Do not guess, and do not delay getting an infected tooth treated.

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