Our Location:
2 South 56th Place, Suite 202,
Ridgefield, WA 98642
Find answers and other helpful dental topics in our digital library.
Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
Tags
- celebrity smiles (75)
- cosmetic dentistry (14)
- oral health (35)
- bonding (3)
- tooth contouring (1)
- orthodontics (5)
- periodontal disease (2)
- gum disease (8)
- dental implants (20)
- dentures (5)
- smoking (4)
- pediatric dentistry (4)
- nightguard (1)
- grinding teeth (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- oral hygiene (23)
- braces (8)
- flossing (1)
- veneers (3)
- crowns (5)
- sealants (1)
- fluoride (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- tooth decay (11)
- dental anxiety (1)
- dental cleanings (1)
- bad breath (3)
- toothpaste (2)
- snoring (2)
- sleep apnea (2)
- removable partial denture (2)
- bridge (1)
- ibuprofen (1)
- pain management (1)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- nutrition (7)
- insurance (1)
- bacteria (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- orthodontic treatment (9)
- retainers (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- mouth sores (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- geographic tongue (1)
- teeth whitening (5)
- dry mouth (3)
- chipped tooth (3)
- smile makeover (2)
- mouthguards (3)
- tooth pain (4)
- adult orthodontics (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- fillings (3)
- bone grafting (2)
- dental visits (1)
- dental injuries (3)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- bone graft (1)
- porcelain veneers (1)
- bruxism (1)
- night guard (1)
- mouthguard (1)
- canker sore (1)
- sugar (1)
- toothache (6)
- dental injury (5)
- partial denture (3)
- oral cancer (2)
- shingles (1)
- x-ray (1)
- wedding day smile (1)
- fluroide (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- dental exam (1)
- tmd (1)
- tmj (1)
- jaw pain (2)
- pregnancy (2)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- muscle frenum (1)
- dental implant (2)
- osteoporosis (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- vaping (2)
- implant overdentures (1)
- extraction (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- clear aligners (1)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- mouth sore (1)
- (1)
Categories:

Pain is the body’s warning system: It tells us something is wrong. And depending on the location and intensity of the pain, it can give us vital clues about the problem.
Sometimes, though, it’s not so clear and direct—the pain could arise from any number of sources. Toothaches often fall into this category: Although it’s likely indicating a tooth or gum problem, it could be something else — or even somewhere else.
This is known as referred pain, in which you may feel pain in one location, like your mouth, but the actual source of the problem is somewhere else, like an infected and congested sinus passage. If we’re able to identify the true source and location of the pain, the better the chances of a successful treatment outcome.
Besides sinus infections, there are other conditions like trigeminal neuralgia that can refer pain to the mouth. This painful condition involves the trigeminal nerve, a large nerve running on either side of the face that can become inflamed. Depending on where the inflammation occurs, you might feel the pain at various points along the jaw, feeling much like a toothache.
There’s also the case of an earache mimicking a toothache, and vice-versa. Because of the proximity of the ears to the jaws, there is some nerve interconnectedness between them. For example, an infected or abscessed back tooth could feel a lot like an earache.
These and other possible problems (including jaw joint disorders or teeth grinding) can generate pain as if it were coming from the mouth or a single tooth. To be sure you’ll need to undergo a complete dental examination. If your dentist doesn’t find anything wrong with your mouth, he or she may refer you to a medical doctor to explore other possible causes.
Getting to the root cause of pain can help determine which treatment strategy to pursue to relieve it. Finding the actual source is the most efficient way to understand what a pain sensation is trying to tell us.
If you would like more information on dental pain, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.