Can Toothaches Cause Ear Pain? Learn How to Relieve It

Have you ever felt a nagging earache only to realize your tooth might be the real troublemaker?

It’s not your imagination—problems in your mouth can lead to discomfort in your ears.

Let’s explore why toothaches can cause ear pain and share some effective methods for relieving ear pain from toothaches.

Why Does a Toothache Cause Sharp Pain in Your Ear?

A toothache can cause sharp pain in your ear due to the proximity and shared nerve pathways between your teeth and ears.

Here’s a breakdown of how this happens:

• Shared Nerves: The trigeminal nerve, one of the largest nerves in your head, is responsible for facial sensations and motor functions such as biting and chewing. This nerve has branches that extend to the teeth, jaws, and even the ear.
• Inflammation and Infection: Because the oral and ear regions are so close together, this swelling caused by a toothache can press on shared nerves or even cause the ear canal to slightly constrict, leading to a sensation of ear pain.
• Sinus Connections: Upper teeth, particularly molars and premolars, are positioned just beneath your sinus cavities. If these teeth become infected, the pain might radiate to the jaw and ear and could also exacerbate sinus pressure, which is commonly associated with ear discomfort.

What are Common Causes of Toothache and Earache at the Same Time?

• Dental Decay: As cavities form, they penetrate deeper into the tooth, reaching the nerves. These nerves are part of a network that extends up to the ear, which means irritation caused by cavities can result in sensations of pain in the ear.
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ): Since TMJ issues occur so close to the ear, any inflammation, tension, or misalignment in the jaw can lead to referred pain in nearby areas, including the ears.
• Bruxism: Often unnoticed by those who suffer from it, bruxism or teeth grinding, especially during sleep, puts excessive pressure on the teeth and jaw joints. This muscle tension can lead to headaches and a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the ears.

How Can You Relieve Ear Pain from Toothache?

Here are several steps you can take to ease this discomfort:

• Consult a Dentist: The most important step is to identify and treat the root cause of the toothache. Whether it’s decay, an abscess, or gum disease, a dentist can provide the appropriate treatment, such as fillings, root canals, or extractions. If you’re experiencing a severe tooth infection or any other unbearable dental pain, go to an emergency dentist immediately.
• Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce the pain and inflammation associated with toothaches and, by extension, ear pain.
• Elevate Your Head: When resting or sleeping, try to keep your head in an elevated position using extra pillows.

This can prevent blood from pooling in the head and may reduce the intensity of the pain.

Art of Modern Dentistry offers immediate relief if you’re experiencing a toothache or a related earache due to oral discomfort.

Our compassionate emergency dentists are ready to assist you at our Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, and South Loop locations.

For your convenience, we offer same-day and walk-in emergency appointments to address your pain swiftly and effectively.

Contact us today!