Unexplained tooth pain, any suggestions? - Dentistry Health ...

Dentistry Health Support

1,128 members274 posts

Unexplained tooth pain, any suggestions?

Ouch- profile image
3 Replies

I am suffering from this pain for about 3 and a half years now. It is in my lower teeth/gum, slightly to the right of center. When I wake up it is hardly there, but by the evening it can get indescribably bad. When it is bad it radiates out to my face and jaw a bit. It is a throbbing sensation, like when an ache get's so severe it starts to feel sharp.

I was waiting to speak to the neurologist about it but she has told me now that she doesn't think it is Trigeminal Neuralgia. It took 10 months after the MRI scan for them to tell me this, I am feeling very disheartened. I do have a blood vessel pressing on the nerve, but it is on a different side to my pain.

She said it could be Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, but my dentist doesn't think that is it either. I have had maxillofacial suggest Burning Mouth Syndrome, which fits the pattern of it getting worse throughout the day, but I have no pain anywhere other than these front teeth, my tongue etc. is pain free. I'm at a bit of a loss.

Does anybody have any advice on dealing with/distracting from facial pain? Or any clues about what could be causing this pain?

Written by
Ouch- profile image
Ouch-
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
3 Replies
Hypo-hell profile image
Hypo-hell

Hi, I am experiencing the exact same issue as you but on lower left side. Dentists, consultants and neurologist ruled out dental origin and TN also. I am also at a complete loss and in agony for 6 years now

Ouch- profile image
Ouch- in reply to Hypo-hell

Hello, I am so sorry to hear this! It's horrible being in pain, and even worse when no one can find out why.

I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I received a comment on a different forum about referred pain from the digastric muscle, which is in the front of the neck. I can make the pain increase quite a bit by pressing up behind my chin. I haven't managed to find much relief, but it's made me feel a bit less crazy, having found something that definitely affects it, when before I couldn't.

I'm using topical diclofenac and ice on my neck, and I do find some delayed relief, although it's definitely still really bad. I am trying acupuncture now, too, I don't know if you have tried that? Haven't noticed anything yet, but only had it a couple of times, and quite far apart.

I am not sure if that muscle would affect where your pain is, depending on how far left it is, but this site shows the muscle I mean and where it can affect: triggerpoints.net/muscle/di...

Again, sorry you're in the same boat! And for even longer, I hope we can both find some serious relief, it's hard to put into words how much it sucks.

Hypo-hell profile image
Hypo-hell in reply to Ouch-

Thank you so much for your reply and the advice given. I don't know if trigger point therapy will work as to me it feels like a throbbing toothache 24 hrs a day, but I will definitely look in to it. I hope you find the answer to your pain and relief soon