Toothache and ear pain in the same side is possible to occur. But, what does it mean? What could be the reason behind it? Of course, we all do not want to experience such conditions. If you click on this link, you would see how essential it is to address this toothache and ear pain in the same side. In actuality, there could be an underlying cause for these issues. Fortunately, this article can help us find out more details about those causes. So, hang in there. We will keep you accompanied throughout the article.
Toothache and Ear Pain in the Same Side
It seems unusual to encounter both toothache and ear pain. So, we are most likely to feel surprised why these issues occur. We might even become confused as to what causes them. For this reason, we will either book an appointment with a dentist.
Simultaneously feeling these issues is something a person should not disregard. These issues can progress into something severe in the long run. However, how can we know which medical professional should we go to?
Before we proceed on that part, let us first get started with the common causes of why toothache and ear pain can co-occur before we can offer some ways to alleviate the pain and finally to get relaxed. You may see them below.
Common Scenarios You Need to be Aware of
Any of these conditions might be the underlying cause of your unusual toothache and ear pain. However, the following reasons require attention from your medical supports to keep them from worsening. Additionally, any of them can affect your daily activities.
1 Osteoarthritis
This condition is the most common type of arthritis possible to develop inside the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). As a result, you will experience a limited range of motion, stiffness, and pain in your TMJ.
In this case, you might get a referral to a rheumatologist. There are over-the-counter medicines to address minor pains. Meanwhile, for severe cases, prescription medicines would be necessary. They may also consider dental surgery for TMJ dysfunction.
2 Sinus Infection
It might appear like pain from a toothache or ear infection when you have a sinus infection. Moreover, sinus infection often feels like nasal congestion, post-nasal drips, and two we mentioned earlier.
The treatment options you may apply for sinus infection are anti-histamines, allergy drugs, or decongestants. However, it would be best to ask a physician if your case is not a minor one. Other medication will be necessary for that.
3 Ear Infection
A person might experience an infection in either ear or can be both. This infection can cause severe pain, radiating into the teeth or jaws. That is why you might also mistake it for toothache. On the other hand, the best thing that you should do is seek medical attention.
As you can see, ear pain can even come from bruxism, grinding, or TMJ. Proper diagnosis is necessary for you to receive appropriate treatment. For ear infections, the typical treatment applicable is antibiotic therapy.
4 Oral Issues
Even the pain from oral issues can radiate to other parts of the body. The ear is one of them. Cavities, periodontal disease, or abscesses can cause referred pain, affecting the ears. For this reason, it might confuse you with where the pain is coming from.
There are various treatment options that your dentist can apply. It will depend on your oral concern. For example, you will undergo root canal treatment if you have an abscessed tooth. Root canal treatment involves the pulp removal. Moreover, you will receive a root canal under the effect of local anesthesia. If the root canal doesn’t work, extraction or dental surgery is necessary.
5 Bruxism
Bruxism or teeth grinding is one of the typical sources of referred pain. Constant grinding can lead to straining the areas surrounding the jaw. Your dentist might recommend you to use a bite splint or night guard.
These oral devices can help reduce muscle tension and persistent grinding. Another option is through injection therapy, such as Botox, which is a natural muscle relaxant.
Experiencing Toothache and Ear Pain in the Same Side
Generally speaking, we can say that several underlying issues might lead to simultaneous tooth and ear pain occurrence. For this reason, it would be better to ask a medical professional about it. This way, we can assure what the actual cause is.
Otherwise, prolonging the condition might lead to something severe in the end. For instance, a tooth infection can spread to other parts of the body. As a result, your overall health can also incur a problem in the long run.
In this case, would you still want to reach that point before you act on it? Earlier application of treatment will be massively beneficial for you. You are indeed saving yourself from more severe issues and more expensive treatment options, such as dental surgery.
Final Thoughts
Generally speaking, a dentist is the closest person you might need. Accordingly, we can say that most of the causes behind tooth and earache are relative to oral issues. Given this point, book your appointment with your dentist. In the end, you can find answers to why toothache and ear pain in the same side are occurring. You can also try some alternative methods like acupuncture to help alleviate the pain.
