Medical Conditions That Can Cause Dental Pain

If you develop a toothache, then you may make an appointment with your dentist to find out why. Dental pain, while commonly associated with decay and infections, can also be caused by other conditions unrelated to the mouth. Here are some medical conditions that can cause dental pain and what you can do about them.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition that causes excruciating pain in the face as a result of trigeminal nerve inflammation or damage. Even minor facial stimulation can trigger a severe pain event. Trigeminal nerve pain may be triggered by brushing your teeth, washing your face, or even chewing.

Pain can last for weeks or months, however, some people enjoy long periods of time between pain attacks. Pain from trigeminal neuralgia can affect the teeth, eyes, lips, and gums. Burning sensations may also occur, and while pain is typically limited to one side of the face, both sides can be affected.

Also known as tic douloureux, trigeminal neuralgia is typically treated with anticonvulsant medications, muscle relaxers, and antispasmodic drugs. Injections of botulinum toxin are also used to relieve symptoms. After an examination, your dentist will refer you back to your family physician or a neurologist for further examination and treatment if he or she believes that your symptoms are caused by trigeminal neuralgia. 

Nasal Polyps

Nasal Polyps can cause loss of smell and taste, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, facial pain, and dental pain, especially on the top row of your teeth. Nasal polyps are benign growths in the nose that are commonly seen in people who take large doses of aspirin or in those who have taken aspirin for many years. The only way to eliminate nasal polyps is with surgical intervention.

While corticosteroid sprays can help shrink polyps and the surrounding tissue inside the nasal cavity, these sprays are not recommended for long-term use. Also, even though surgery can eliminate your nasal polyps, they can grow back. If you develop nasal congestion, if your senses of taste and smell are impaired, or if you have dental pain, see both your physician and dentist. 

If you develop a toothache or other types of oral pain, make an appointment with your dentist. If he or she finds no evidence of dental decay, pulp infection, abscess, or gum disease, you will be asked to make an appointment with your physician for further evaluation and treatment to rule out other conditions.

Visit a dentist like Cornerstone Dental for more information and service.