Toothache radiated to face and neck
An uncomfortable toothache can completely ruin your day. A toothache and an earache are two common ailments that people occasionally suffer, but they are sometimes related.
A toothache may present as anything from an infrequent throb to a persistent, dull discomfort to very severe, piercing jolts. A toothache can occasionally radiate pain to other parts of your body, including your chin and ear, these can truly be linked.
How can ear discomfort be distinguished from dental pain?
Earaches are frequently accompanied by cold-like symptoms, congestion, loss of appetite, hearing impairments, and balance problems, which are not typical symptoms of a toothache. Your doctor or dentist can evaluate whether a dental problem is the cause of your earache and if you lightly tap on a tooth or your gums to see if you feel any soreness.
If your toothache is spreading to your chin or ear, what does that mean?
This may indicate that a dental abscess, a dangerous infection, is the cause of your toothache. When oral bacteria reach the tooth’s chamber, nerve, or blood supply, an abscess develops. A dentist must treat it right away, it won’t disappear on its own.
The most typical sign of a tooth abscess is pain. This discomfort may originate in the tooth, the gum tissue around it, or it may spread to the ear, chin, jaw, or other parts of the face. An abscess may also cause facial edema. An intraoral pus pocket develops, leaving a lump on the gums that resembles a pimple.
If not treated, what will happen?
The severity of an abscess will increase as it continues to grow. Sepsis, a potentially lethal condition, can develop if the contaminated material seeps into your bloodstream.
This makes it necessary to know the signs of an abscess, which include:
- Severe tooth pain or gum discomfort.
- Redness in the mouth, on the face, or the jawline.
- Your tooth seems to be slightly elevated in your mouth or feels loose in its socket.
- Increased sensitivity to temperature (hot & cold), or biting.
- Swelling of the mouth, cheek, or neck lymph glands.
- An unpleasant taste.
- Difficulties opening and chewing food.
- Developing a fever.
- Feeling generally sick.
A dental abscess's possible causes:
- The primary factor is dental decay or gum disease.
- Your mouth, gums, or teeth have been hurt.
- You have a tooth that has not adequately emerged from your gums (an impacted tooth).
- You are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
How may tooth abscess pain be relieved at home?
There are a few things you can do to lessen the pain while you wait to receive dental care:
- Take ibuprofen or paracetamol or other pain relievers.
- Elderly persons are more likely to experience age-related renal problems, which may need to change an ibuprofen user’s dosage.
- Children under 16 should not take aspirin.
- Avoid consuming hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages.
- Eat soft food.
- To brush your teeth, use a gentle toothbrush.
Getting dental abscess treatment:
The pus will be removed by the dentist. If the abscess was brought on by a dental issue, you might require root canal therapy or even tooth extraction. A local anesthetic will be administered to you to make the procedure painless. Following treatment, you might be prescribed medications to take for a few days, along with antibiotics.
Preventing dental abscesses:
Dental hygiene is the process of maintaining a clean mouth and teeth to avoid dental issues like a dental abscesses.
- At least twice a day, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Spit after brushing; do not rinse.
- Utilize dental floss or interdental brushes to regularly clean in between your teeth.
- Every one to three months, replace your toothbrush.
- To detect issues early, maintain regular dental examinations.
- Don’t smoke.
