Unexplained toothache - any ideas?

xoxo_2

I'm not asking for medical advice just any ideas of what the problem could be/if anyone has experienced similar.

I've had toothache for over a week now. It's a dull achey pain affecting 3 or 4 teeth on one side at the bottom of my mouth which gets worse when I bite.

I've been to the dentist today because I have a wisdom tooth coming through on that side and assumed the pain was connected to that and wanted to check all was ok. But the dentist said it's nothing to do with my wisdom tooth (wisdom tooth doesn't hurt at all) and everything is fine there. So to try and find the cause of the pain he done a full xray of my jaw and teeth as well as close up ones of the teeth causing problems but found nothing wrong with my teeth or gums - said all look perfectly healthy. He checked my bite and asked if there are any changes to my bite (there isn't), checked for cracks, checked sensitivity, checked for infections - again, all ok no problems. He checked all my teeth were 'alive' (his words) with an icy cold solution - again no problems. I've got no fillings, had no teeth taken out so nothing there to cause a problem. I don't grind or clench my teeth so nothing to cause an issue there. But i've still got an unbearable achey pain in those 3/4 teeth. His only suggestion was it could possibly be a jaw muscle but said he's only saying that because he's ruled out everything else he can think of.

He told me to take nurofen 4 times a day and come back in a week (sooner if it gets worse), which I will do. But in the mean time does anyone on here have any ideas what could be causing it? He seemed at a loss for ideas after trying everything else because everything looks ok, but it clearly isn't because i'm in pain Nurofen isn't touching it now, the only thing helping is the max strength orajel and that only helps for 10-15 minutes at a time before the pain comes back.

Anyone experienced the same or has any ideas what it could be?

Toothsmith

Most people who grind or clench their teeth have no idea that they do it.

It sounds like your dentist is beng very thorough - and as he's the one who can actually see things, his will be the best opinion.

In the early stages of a tooth/jaw problem, the symptoms can be very vague and hard to pinpoint. Occasionally,things just hurt for a little while for no real reason, and it disappears as suddenly as it came.

It's good that the dentist isn't just diving in straight away, and it's good that he's being honest with you and telling you that he's not really sure what the problem is yet.

If it has got worse though, it's important to get back.

My guess - and it is a complete guess - is that will turn out to be jaw related. Often, the extra stresses around Xmas time are enough just to trigger off underlying jaw/TMJ problems that have been symptomless up to that point.

They are often quite straightforward to treat.

doodoot

Toothsmith wrote: »

Most people who gring or clench their teeth have no idea that they do it.


My guess - and it is a complete guess - is that will turn out to be jaw related. Often, the extra stresses around Xmas time are enough just to trigger off underlying jaw/TMJ problems that have been symptomless up to that point.

I'm not a dental expert but totally agree with Toothsmith on the info about jaw clenchers/grinders not knowing they do it.

I get terrible pain on and off on my left side during periods of high stress, and my OH tells me that I've been grinding my teeth the night before the pain starts up.

Obviously because I'm asleep I had no idea I was doing it.

It was only after myself and my OH had a joint dental appointment and I mentioned the pain that my dentist asked my OH if I make squeaking noises at night.

Thankfully he didn't give a dirty reply...:rotfl:

Hope you get it sorted OP.

universalady_2

I had a dull ache recently around three teeth on the left side of my jaw. I thought it could be an underlying problem with my teeth/gums, but woke up one night, realising I was very tense, and my jaw was sooo painful, so I put it down to being under stress (as I suffer from panic & anxiety), and (touch wood;)) after a few days it settled down

xoxo_2

Toothsmith wrote: »

Most people who gring or clench their teeth have no idea that they do it.

It sounds like your dentist is beng very thorough - and as he's the one who can actually see things, his will be the best opinion.

In the early stages of a tooth/jaw problem, the symptoms can be very vague and hard to pinpoint. Occasionally,things just hurt for a little while for no real reason, and it disappears as suddenly as it came.

It's good that the dentist isn't just diving in straight away, and it's good that he's being honest with you and telling you that he's not really sure what the problem is yet.

If it has got worse though, it's important to get back.

My guess - and it is a complete guess - is that will turn out to be jaw related. Often, the extra stresses around Xmas time are enough just to trigger off underlying jaw/TMJ problems that have been symptomless up to that point.

They are often quite straightforward to treat.

Thanks He did say if I go back in a week and it's still there we'll work on the guess it's a clenching/grinding problem affecting my jaw and he'll make me a mouth guard to see if that helps.

It just seems strange it could be that as the pain is definitely in my teeth, but I suppose if i'm clenching/grinding at night that's going to make the teeth sore from the pressure all night?

belfastgirl23

I have had similar problems with grinding and clenching.

I also have a friend who does this a lot at times of high stress. Her dentist told her to take a little rescue remedy before bed. It might be worth thinking about??

Toothsmith

xoxo wrote: »

It just seems strange it could be that as the pain is definitely in my teeth, but I suppose if i'm clenching/grinding at night that's going to make the teeth sore from the pressure all night?

That's right, but also pains from tight spots within the muscles can also feel to be coming from the teeth.

Sensation to a lot of the face is provided by the trigeminal nerve. It's not a very accurate nerve, and pain from one part is often translated by the brain as pain somewhere completely different.