Toothache and face pain can be closely connected, depending upon from where the tooth problem originates, according to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry. Because both toothaches and face pain, either separately or together, can indicate a more serious condition, it's important to be aware of where your pain originates--and to seek medical help when necessary to assess the severity of your pain and condition.
Significance
Toothaches can be the result of tooth decay or nerve damage, which results in pain and sensitivity. However, other conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to a toothache, according to Steven R. Polhaus, DDS, a dentist with the Baltimore Center for Laser Dentistry. These include a temporomandibular disorder, which can cause face and jaw pain; sinusitis, which can cause pain in the upper teeth; and face pain itself, which can in some instances extend to the teeth.
Types
While not all toothaches result in face pain, toothaches do result in some manifestation of pain. The source and level of your pain may help to identify its causes, according to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry.
Sharp pain or occasional sensitivity can indicate that your gums are receding, teeth are grinding or tooth decay. A constant toothache could indicate damage to your tooth's nerve.
Effects
When a tooth begins to decay, the tooth enamel that protects the nerves underneath is eroded away. Underneath the enamel is dentin, which is more sensitive than the enamel. If the decay continues, it can extend down to the nerve, which results in pain and a toothache that can range from mild to severe. The pain is caused by a nerve that is linked both to the teeth and face nerves, known as the trigeminal nerve, according to Dentistry.com. This is why pain that affects the teeth also can affect the face.
Warning
One kind of toothache and face pain is linked with a very serious condition: a heart attack. If a toothache occurs in the left side of the jaw, this could be a sign of heart attack. Other symptoms associated with heart attack include headache, chest pain, unexplained sweating, difficulty breathing, dizziness and vomiting. If you experience this face pain or any other symptoms, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
Misconceptions
Some patients visit a dentist's office with face pain or pain of the trigeminal nerve that may be mistaken for a toothache, according to dentistry.com. This pain is characterized by pain that occurs extremely quickly, much like a flash of lightning that causes pain. This is a condition known as trigeminal neuralgia. An estimated two-thirds of patients who experience this condition are previously incorrectly diagnosed with a dental problem. If you are experiencing face pain that also feels like a toothache, make sure you fully identify and describe your face pain to your dentist during an examination.
