Toothache
What is a toothache?
"Toothache" usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth or jaw problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, gum disease, disease of the jaw joint (temporo- mandibular joint), or spasms of the muscles used for chewing. The severity of a toothache can range from chronic and mild to sharp and excruciating. The pain may be aggravated by chewing or by cold or heat. A thorough oral examination, which
includes dental x-rays, can help determine the cause, whether the toothache is coming from a tooth or jaw problem.
Sometimes, a toothache may be caused by a problem not originating from a tooth or the jaw. Pain around the teeth and the jaws can be symptoms of diseases of the heart (such as angina or heart attack), ears (such as inner or external ear infections), and sinuses (air passages of the cheek bones). For example, the pain of angina (inadequate supply of oxygenated
blood to the heart muscle because of narrowing of the arteries to the heart) is usually located in the chest or the arm. However, in some patients with angina, a toothache or jaw pain are the only symptoms of their heart problem. Infections and diseases of the ears and sinuses can
also cause pain around the teeth and jaws. Therefore, evaluations by both dentists and doctors are sometimes necessary to diagnose medical illnesses causing "toothache."
Next: What are dental causes of toothache? »
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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- Dental Crowns - Get information about types of dental crowns (permanent, temporary, porcelain), problems (cap falls out, pain, broken or loose crown) and procedure cost. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic
- Fillings - The dentist will treat your teeth and remove tooth decay and fill. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic
- Problems With Dental Fillings - Learn about problems with dental fillings. Tooth sensitivity, pain and allergic reactions to silver (amalgam) fillings from a metal allergy are common complications. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic
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