Why is my tooth pain radiating to my ear?

[Caca55mwri]

There is no abscess present on my radiographs, so why is my horrible tooth pain on #18 radiating up to my ear? It feels as though someone is jabbing a pencil into my ear canal. We suspect pulpitis, but I can't find an endodontist to treat me this weekend because I am 29 weeks (7 months) pregnant. I am taking an antibiotic and pain reliever for now.

 

[dani13]

Maybe nerve related? Can you go to your local ER? Once they determine it is or isnt an emergency they can help you with follow up. Good luck!!

 

[honey22]

Do you clench your teeth at night? Or have arthritis?

Inflammation or arthritis in your jaw can give you referred pain in your ears. I learnt this the hard way. For over a year I had really bad pain in my ears and saw three ear specialists. Then I was speaking to my hubby's dental specialist and he told me that it was my rheumatoid arthritis in my jaw. Duh! Don't know why I didn't think of it. I now get steroid injections in my jaw and the ear/jaw pain is gone.

Anyhoo, I am waffling but it might be worth a quick trip to your dentist to see if you have evidence of grinding/clenching your teeth. Some people have no idea they do it and only discover it when they have jaw/ear/teeth pain.

Good luck

ETA, sorry I didn't get the whole post at the start, I see you have already seen your dentist. I think he would have mentioned if you have clenching issues? Sorry, I am a bit slow tonight.

 

[ponder]

Honey22 is probably on the right track. You could be clenching in response to the pain, and clenching wil commonly cause ear pain. If you are not clenching, the pain in the ear could still be from the infection lower jaw. Its called refered pain. You feel pain in one area even though the source of the pain is located in another area. I hope they were able to get you started on an antibiotic and in to see an endodontist. Emergency dental treatment is at no time restricted by pregnancy. An active infection in your body is worse for your baby than the treatment to eliminate it.

 

[amc80]

Was that original post spam? It was the user's first and only post, and has a weird thing in the signature.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

My TMJ causes this. I think the nerves are so close it is not uncommon to have ear pain and tooth pain at the same time.