The Relation Between a Toothache and a Headache

A toothache is a pain in or around the tooth. Toothache pain is a sign that something is wrong with either the tooth or gums.

The pulp inside the tooth is a soft material full of tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. These pulp nerves are one of the most sensitive in the body. When these nerves are infected or irritated by bacteria, they can result in severe pain.

Possible causes of a toothache can include:

• Tooth decay. It’s a common cause of tooth pain. It occurs when bacteria eat through the enamel of the tooth. Too much consumption of sugary foods encourages the growth of harmful bacteria on your teeth.
• Tooth fracture. It is a split or a crack in the tooth. Biting or chewing on hard substances like ice can result in a tooth fracture.
• Abscessed tooth. It is when either a part or all of the tooth pulp dies. The dead tissue creates a pocket of pus and bacteria known as an abscess.
• A damaged filling. One can ruin a filling by clenching or grinding the teeth or biting on something hard. This may make the filling crumble, chip, crack, or pop out.
• Repetitive motions such as grinding or clenching teeth or chewing gum (such movements can wear down the teeth)
• Infected gums. Gum infection is also known as gingivitis. Infected gums can cause periodontitis or gum disease.
• Eruption (teeth emerging from the gums)

What are the Symptoms of a Toothache?

• Sharp, throbbing, or constant tooth pain, some people may experience the problem only when the tooth is under pressure (biting down on something).
• Swelling around the tooth
• Headache or fever
• Bad odor

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When Can a Toothache be Considered as an Emergency

If you display the following symptoms, seek emergency treatment right away:

• Swelling in the face or jaw might be a sign that the tooth infection is spreading.
• Shortness of breath, chest pain, and lightheadedness
• Wheezing or coughing blood
• Trouble swallowing and breathing

If you have a toothache and a headache, it might raise the suspicion of whether there could be a relation between those two symptoms.

Can a Toothache Cause a Headache?

There are many causes for aching tooth-like impacted wisdom teeth, cavities, or cracked teeth. If they are left untreated, it could result in a throbbing headache accompanied by vomiting, nausea, or sensitivity to sound or light.

Bruxism

It is whereby people grind or clench their teeth. It often occurs at night.

Bruxism can cause a headache. Patients report it to be a dull pain that occurs behind the eyes or wraps around the head.

It is associated with symptoms like sore jaw muscles and teeth, trouble closing and opening the mouth, and clicking in the jaw joint.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis

It’s a rare dental condition that is life-threatening if left untreated.
Symptoms of cavernous sinus thrombosis may include:

• Severe headache
• High fever
• Eyeball protrusion
• Eyelid swelling

Conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), sinus infection, and trigeminal neuralgia can cause a toothache and a headache.

Confluence Dental Wenatchee is open from Tuesday to Saturday. We have advanced technology and care staff that will take good care of you. Also, the prices charged for our services at Wenatchee dental are standard.

Ways to Relieve a Toothache at Night

• Oral pain medication

Take pain medications like ibuprofen. It is a quick and straightforward way to reduce moderate and mild toothaches effectively.
If the toothache pain is severe, you should see a dentist.

• Cold compress

Wrap a bag of ice in a towel and apply it to the jaw or face’s affected area. It helps to constrict the blood vessels in that area, reducing the pain.

Applying a cold compress on the affected side for about 20 minutes in the evening might prevent pain after going to bed.

• Elevation

Pooling blood in your head might cause inflammation and additional pain. For some people, using an extra pillow to elevate the head may lower the pain.

• Medicated ointments

Some ointments and OTC numbing gels contain benzocaine, which may numb the area.

• Saltwater rinse

Saltwater may reduce inflammation because it is an antibacterial agent. It also helps to prevent damaged teeth from getting an infection.

Rinsing your mouth with saltwater might also help eliminate debris or food particles stuck between the gums or teeth.