Any ideas about this toothache?

Question

This one is strange.

I have toothache that only comes on at night (after 11pm) its gone by morning and throughout the rest of the day. Its not in just one tooth, but all the teeth on my left side, both upper and lower (they seem to take turns in a game of See Who Can Cause The Most Pain), and then extends all the way upto (and incuding) my left ear. Its not constant, it will come and then completely go. No pain killers will work, but standing up stops the pain in seconds.

I have a histoy of toothache caused by sinusitis, but this doesnt feel like that, or any other toothache ive ever had. And it was proceeded by a week of strange sensations throughout my whole upper and lower jaw.

Any ideas about that cause?

I'v finally managed to get an apointment at the fang-quacks but its not untill tuesday. :(

Answer 1

I am not sure, but maybe an infection.

Answer 2

There a couple of things that are interesting about this. The problem is caused by the facial nerve being irritated. It passes close to the ear canal and then down across the face to the lower jaw, then down through the jaw to a small hole in the jaw near the chin where passed under the skin to termination point near the mid-line.

Pain can be caused by a tooth or by an ear infection. Sometimes the causative factor isn't close to where you feel the pain. The confusing part, at least to me, is why would the pain go away when standing? If it wasn't for that I would think you might be grinding you teeth when sleeping ( brux) and irritating the nerve. Bell's Palsy also comes to mind but usually it is sudden and not a come and go thing.

Would like to know the reason when diagnosed.

Answer 3

Well I had a bad wisdom tooth and the problem is that the nerve is all connected, so your bottom jaw and top jaw can both have pain depending on the mood of your nerve. It made a different tooth feel like was the painful one and also a top one as you describe.

So you need to see a dentist who will charge you £30 to scan your mouth and identify fillings, then either fill the faulty one or if a wisdom recommend removed. Temp fill it till then.

DO IT NOW, is weak at the moment, why is sometimes painful and not others. Must be a gap. If it gets bigger you will know about it and may take a while to get seen. If is a real pain (no pun intended) go to the hospital and have them temporarily fix it for you.

I paid £100 to have the wisdom removed asap. I don't like waiting 9 months....

Answer 4

It sounds more like a sinus infection on your left side that is extending down into your teeth. Sometimes it will even refer pain to the teeth on that side in the jaw since the nerve branches out down there too. Most sinus teeth pain will usually affect you most at the end of the day and especially upon laying down. You should rule out anything with the teeth with your "fang-quack" (as you call us) but you should also visit your general doctor to check for sinus infection. Different sinus infections affect you differently. Good luck.

Answer 5

Your guess is as good as mine. I would almost think it is sinus because it ceases the minute you stand up. Try this...rinse your mouth out 3 to 4 times a day with salt water. Floss and brush twice, gently. Take some sinus meds before bed and see if any of that changes anything. DEF. keep that appoint on TUES. I had a friend who has something similar and it was a sinus infection. They had to make surgical incisions above her teeth and drain her sinuses. NOT fun, but it relieved the pain and she did go on and get better with antibiotics.

Answer 6

This may be a cluster headache variant if your lucky. The worst possible scenario could be an aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery compressing on the trigeminal ganglion. I would definitely consult a neurologist for an MRI or at least consult a dentist trained in craniofacial pain and TMJ dysfunction. Go to the website www.aacfp.org

Your life may be in limbo if you have an aneurysm and don't know it!

DMD, FAACP

Answer 7

Sounds like it's an abscess, I had one.
During the day, your energy levels and the fact that you are busy, keeps the pain at bay.
Later on, your energy levels drop and you notice the pain.
glad to hear you've got your appointment, he will probably drill it, and give you anti-biotics to combat the infection, after that he will fill it and you will have no further pain.

Good luck mate, toothaches are really crap.

Answer 8

My concern is that can be a sign of a more serious condition. I don't know how old you are or what your general health, medical history.. etc. But do you have a family history of heart disease? It is rare but it was reported (this kind of jaw pain) with some heart issues. I hope you are healthy and well but you need this checked very carefully.

Answer 9

Yes, it does sound like sinus pain. This can take many forms, Try inhaling Olbas oil at night .you might be pleasantly surprised Good luck.

Answer 10

Take pain relieveing pills before bed
Ex: Tylenol, advil etc.

Answer 11

chew on cloves til your appointment.

can be that you need serious root canal work and/or have early onset periodontis (Causes by the sinusitis)(in which they'll probably all have to get pulled)

Or When I'm Sick My jaw aches sharply, but never small individual parts of it.

So just take neurofen & cloves till then.