Can Dental Problems Cause Ear Pain?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Dental problems, including cavities and tooth impaction, often lead to

ear

and tooth pain. Pain from problems that affect the roots of the tooth can manifest in the mouth, up the jawline to the ear, or over the entire side of the face. Wisdom teeth located at the back of the mouth often become impacted.

Can a tooth infection spread to your ear?

If the nerve-filled pulp that supports your tooth becomes infected, it can cause serious

pain

and discomfort that may radiate to your ear.

Can Earache be caused by teeth?

Common oral health problems, like an abscessed tooth, an

impacted wisdom tooth or molar

, or even a cavity, can result in an earache.

How do I know if my tooth is causing my ear pain?

If you notice a toothache alongside your earache, this is a sure sign that

your tooth is infected

and indicates that you should get help right away. You may also notice that the gum tissue around the affected tooth is inflamed, swollen or discolored. In serious cases, the tooth itself may appear discolored.

How do you relieve ear pain from a toothache?


An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory (such as ibuprofen or Motrin)

can provide temporary pain relief if your tooth and ear pain is due to swelling. You can also apply a warm or cold compress to the side of your face that hurts, taking it on and off every 20 minutes.

Does a throbbing tooth mean infection?

Throbbing tooth pain usually

indicates that there is an injury or infection in the mouth

. In most cases, this will be a cavity or an abscess. A person cannot diagnose the cause of throbbing tooth pain based on their symptoms alone, and it is not always possible to see injuries or abscesses.

Can a bad tooth cause sinus and ear problems?

The bone between your maxillary sinuses and the roots of your molars is incredibly thin. So much so that severely infected teeth and gums can easily spread the infection to your sinuses. In many cases this is because of an

abscess of the teeth or gums

, which can cause serious long term damage!

Can a bad tooth affect your ear?

Your upper molars are very close to your ears. If the nerve-filled pulp that supports your tooth becomes infected, it can

cause serious pain and discomfort

that may radiate to your ear.

Can fluid in ear cause jaw pain?

An ear infection can cause intense pain in, around, or behind the ear. Sometimes, this pain radiates to the jaw, sinuses, or teeth. In most cases, viruses or bacteria cause ear infections. Ear infections can also happen when water or other fluids build up in the ear.

Do ear infections go away on their own?

You may think of ear infections as something only kids get. Ear infections are less common in grown children and adults, but they can still happen.

Ear infections often go away on their own

and don’t need medical attention.

Will a tooth eventually stop hurting?

Toothaches can be extremely uncomfortable but

the pain isn’t permanent as long as it’s treated

. Your dental professional can relieve your pain and prevent any infections in your mouth from spreading in your body.

How do you know if ear pain is serious?

  1. Minor hearing loss, ringing in ears, and/or dizziness.
  2. Signs of infection, including a low fever.
  3. A sticky or bloody discharge coming from the ear.
  4. Increased pain when wiggling the ear lobe.
  5. Nose blowing that results in ear pain.

How should I sleep with ear pain?

If you are experiencing an ear pain, you should not sleep on the side where you have the pain. Instead, try

to sleep with the affected ear raised or elevated

– these two positions should reduce the pain and not aggravate your ear infection any further.

Why are my teeth pulsating?

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.

How can I stop nerve pain in my tooth?

  1. Oral pain medication. Share on Pinterest Oral pain medication may help treat a toothache at night. …
  2. Cold compress. …
  3. Elevation. …
  4. Medicated ointments. …
  5. Salt water rinse. …
  6. Hydrogen peroxide rinse. …
  7. Peppermint tea. …
  8. Clove.

Can a bottom tooth make a top tooth hurt?

When a lower molar tooth

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.