A toothache can often result in discomfort in other places, such as the ears. You may occasionally mistake a toothache for an earache. Numerous different causes can induce toothache and ear pain. The nerve in the tooth’s root or the area around a tooth typically triggers toothaches. The most frequent causes of toothaches include injury, infection, and dental decay.
How to distinguish between a toothache and an earache
It might be annoying and uncomfortable to have a toothache or an earache, but it can also be painful and annoying not to be able to tell if you have a toothache or an earache. Both of these ailments may only be appropriately treated if the distinction between them is recognized.
Many people mistakenly believe they have an earache when they have a toothache. A toothache and an earache can occasionally be connected or have similar symptoms. Understanding the signs and causes of each is crucial to distinguish between a toothache and an earache.
Symptoms of a toothache
- You are experiencing discomfort in or near your teeth.
- Experiencing pain after eating or ingesting something hot or cold. Beverages.
- Bad breath or halitosis.
- Fever.
- Enlarged glands.
- Earache.
Causes of toothaches
- Infections or cavities.
- Gum illness.
- Oral surgery.
- Stuck meals.
- Wear and damage brought on by teeth grinding.
- Virus in the nose.
Symptoms of an earache
- Discomfort in or near the ear.
- Fever.
- Decrease in appetite.
- Sleeping problems.
- Sinus issues.
- Inability to hear.
- Loss of equilibrium
Earache Roots
- The eardrum has fluid in it.
- Infection.
- Injury.
- Blockage.
- Flu or cold.
- Jaw or tooth pain
Your back top teeth are located not far from your sinuses. As a result, any sinus discomfort or pressure might influence the roots of these teeth, giving the impression that your tooth is hurting. It’s not always simple to distinguish between toothache and ear or sinus pain. Here are some pointers to tell the difference:
- You are more likely to have a sinus infection or an earache if you have a cold or flu symptoms.
- An earache rather than a toothache is more frequently linked to having a headache than vice versa.
- Let your medical background guide you. You are likely suffering from another earache if you have previously been more prone to earaches than toothaches (and vice-versa).
Should You Be Concerned
Some of the most painful conditions a person might have are tooth and ear discomfort (some say kidney stones are right up there too.) Therefore, you should be cautious if you are experiencing tooth and earache. Thankfully, you won’t need to go to the emergency department immediately, but depending on how frequently and how bad your tooth and ear pain occurs, you could need to visit a dentist or doctor.
If your child is in pain from a toothache and an earache, you undoubtedly want to do all in your power to get them to the doctor’s office as soon as possible. Over-the-counter Anti-inflammatory Motrin (ibuprofen) reduces swelling, a common cause of earaches and toothaches.
You can start investigating to determine the cause if your symptoms start to improve. This way, you’ll know the kind of doctor to see (dental, ENT, pediatrician, etc.) and the kind of care to anticipate.
When to Visit a Doctor
Your family dentist should be the first healthcare provider you see if you’re reasonably convinced that tooth or ear discomfort is emanating from anywhere inside of your mouth. After a thorough examination, they will take a full-mouth pano or a single-tooth PA X-ray (which shows all of your nasal sinuses, TMJ, and close to your ear.) Your dentist will then be able to rule out any particular sorts of dental infections or TMJ conditions and assess the surrounding anatomy for potential causes.
Your primary care physician should be your next call if your teeth or TMJ doesn’t cause discomfort. They can check your ears for signs of sinusitis or infection. Or they could refer you to a specialist like an ENT, who is most qualified to handle non-oral conditions causing tooth or ear pain.
Verdict
Either having a toothache or an earache is an unpleasant inconvenience. It’s critical to recognize the illness you have so that you can get the attention and treatment you need. You should be able to identify which you are experiencing more quickly if you know the distinctions between each condition’s causes and symptoms.
