I have the worst ear and tooth pain can anyone help?

[Peanutbutterplease]

I have suffered from this pain for many years . It likes to pop up cause unbearable pain then goes again this has been for two weeks solid all in my gum and then into my ear it's always the same side . Cold weather cold food is horrid and makes it worse . Any home remedies that actually work ? I've been doing clove oil oragel gargle salt water and a hot water bottle on that side of face all is a quick fix 15mins it all wears off back to stage one again . . I can't put olive oil in ear as got a damaged ear drum from years ago . I've always had problems with my ears since a child infections etc .I just want some relief .

[Lfcpremier]

Sounds like your tooth. Have you seen a dentist & had it X-rayed.So debilitating! Use Rapid Sensodyne toothpaste for the sensitivity & rub a blob in around the area in your mouth.

Hope you get it sorted!

[wobblybee Administrator Pioneer]

I had this as a child…it’s worth discussing it with your GP.

nhs.uk/conditions/trigemina...

[bantam12]

Could be a chronic root canal infection that comes and goes and with the cold sensitivity could also be exposed dentine due to gingival recession. You need good X-rays to detect root canal problem and try a toothpaste for sensitivity, put it on the area with a finger and leave it there as well as brushing teeth with it. But see your dentist !

[Peanutbutterplease in reply to bantam12]

It's chronic ! All in my ear . It's lower gum very hard and sore to touch

[MightyMouse1963]

I had a dental appointment where the dentist banged my teeth to test for cracks. Clean bill of health. I went home in agony, lasted six weeks. Was told it could be TMS. Dentist has been told not to bang my teeth!

[bantam12 in reply to MightyMouse1963]

A percussion test using the end of a hand instrument is a standard and very useful test to detect cracks and apical infection. Hopefully you also had X-rays go check root canals for infection, if the pain is in an upper tooth the sinuses can be the problem.

[MightyMouse1963 in reply to bantam12]

Yes, did x-rays as a matter of course. It was the upper teeth.

[IPNH]

can you go to an ear nose and throat doctor? Sounds like you need to see one of them. What do dentists say? Do you have a dental infection?

[Farrugia]

I have niggling ear pain and pain around my back molar on the same side. It's always worse in the winter and I have to wear a hat over that ear (the jaunty look!). The dentist couldn't find anything wrong. My GP said my Eustachian tube wasn't draining properly and prescribed a steroid nasal spray. I spoke to my private thyroid doctor about it and she advised me not to take the steroid spray but to try saline nasal spray (Sterimar). This has actually made quite a big difference, I was very surprised. Ear wax can also cause problems, have you had your ears checked? I get mine removed with a suction device (syringing is no longer recommended) by a private business run by an ex nurse - the nhs don't seem to want to do this anymore. The sterimar may not help you but it's cheap and doesn't have side effects so worth a try.

[SimonSaysU2CanBend]

I don’t know if these ideas will help but I offer them in good faith. Have you tried hydrogen peroxide in your ear? It’s kind of fun as it bubbles and gets warm so I find it a pleasing experience. When it settles down I empty it and go again if need be or even three times.

The second idea is an infrared heating pad. They aren’t cheap but honestly, they are worth the cost. The heat penetrates more deeply into the tissues and can increase circulation significantly in that area and beyond. If you put that on your jaw where the discomfort is it will increase the circulation a lot and I can’t imagine it not helping in some degree for that alone. Circulation is life, increase it and healing is easier and more likely.

Also, and again, this may cost more than you can afford if insurance doesn’t pay and that is a 3D dental scan (CBCT). These images are incredibly detailed and sophisticated and can see things a regular dental x-ray would miss. Infections or other issues can be seen much more clearly and easily with these images.

May a good idea or two that works for you come your way!

[Saju21]

I had this a 5 years ago it was so painful I would fall to the floor in agony. I had scans done ent, multiples antibiotics. X-rays at dentist. Xray showed the sinus cavity touching the roots of the teeth. I was clearing out recently and came across letter from ent which said there was root decay. I didn’t notice that comment at the time.

I had on off abscess on gum near tooth and mentioned its sensitivity. Dentist said no it’s fine. Eventually the tooth cracked (so there was a problem), and it had to be extracted. No issues since even when heavily congested with cold. I do take fexofenidine for rhinitis.

On my experience it’s referred pain/ infection from dental if ENT have ruled other things out.