“Can a decaying tooth cause jaw pain?”
I am a 27 year old male and I have jaw pain. Can a decaying tooth cause jaw pain?
10 Answers
DentistDentist
Yes. Decay causes a cavity (a hole in the tooth) which opens the tooth to the oral cavity's (mouth's) contents. Bacteria from the mouth enter the tooth thru the cavity infecting the nerve. Once the nerve is affected both the pain and infection from the tooth will spread to the jaw.
Yes, it definitely can.The tooth and jaw are connected and if there is tooth pain, it can lead to other parts hurting also.
Dr. Khaja Mohsinuddin
Dr. Khaja Mohsinuddin
Jaw pain in your area of your teeth can certainly be caused by a cavity. When to tooth has a cavity, you body react with pain. That pain tells the body that there is something wrong. An inflammatory response is the body’s reaction to heal the area. Because the tooth is stiff structure and a closed system with one way in and out, pressure builds up in the tooth causing pain. Inflammation continues to affect the area the pressures spreads to the bone resulting in jaw pain or a tooth ache.
If you jaw pain is in your ear area, that may indicate a Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder. This is not associated with a tooth cavity. It can be the result of malocclusion (misaligned teeth), grinding or clenching.
In both cases, I would advise consults you dentist as soon as possible. Either situation will resolve itself with time..
If you jaw pain is in your ear area, that may indicate a Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder. This is not associated with a tooth cavity. It can be the result of malocclusion (misaligned teeth), grinding or clenching.
In both cases, I would advise consults you dentist as soon as possible. Either situation will resolve itself with time..
Decay itself does not cause jaw pain. Pulp tissue within a tooth can be inflamed or abscessed as a result of decay. Such pulp tissue can be the source of mild to very significant jaw pain.
Yes a decaying tooth can cause jaw pain . If the decay is deep enough that it infects the nerve or pulp of the tooth a bacterial infection may occur and cause pressure in the jaw resulting in pain. You will need a xray evaluation with your dentist to determine if your tooth is restorable. It may require a root canal(removal of the infected nerve in the tooth ) and needs to have enough healthy tooth structure to put a crown over. Your jaw pain may have more than one cause. Clenching and or grinding your teeth may also be contributing to your problems. Any dental infection should be considered dangerous because it can affect your general health, if you have associated swelling, and or swallowing problems seek immediate care .
Hello,
Yes a decaying tooth can cause jaw pain. A cavity in a tooth starts out small and if left untreated usually gets bigger and grows toward the pulp chamber of the tooth (where the nerve and blood vessels are). As it gets closer the blood vessels in the pulp chamber swell up and interfere with the nerve inside the tooth. These nerves send pain signals to the brain. If this persists the decay (cavity) will get bigger and form a hole into the pulp chamber and the nerve will be exposed to everything that goes in the mouth. This will cause the nerve to send even more pain signals to the brain and eventually the pain will radiate into the jaw. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Yes a decaying tooth can cause jaw pain. A cavity in a tooth starts out small and if left untreated usually gets bigger and grows toward the pulp chamber of the tooth (where the nerve and blood vessels are). As it gets closer the blood vessels in the pulp chamber swell up and interfere with the nerve inside the tooth. These nerves send pain signals to the brain. If this persists the decay (cavity) will get bigger and form a hole into the pulp chamber and the nerve will be exposed to everything that goes in the mouth. This will cause the nerve to send even more pain signals to the brain and eventually the pain will radiate into the jaw. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
All teeth with cavities should be restored and those teeth with teeth beyond restoration should be extracted. Having rotting teeth in your mouth carrying bacteria and their toxins throughout your body VIA your blood vessels and organs will affect your teeth, jaw bone and body, your PRESENT and future HEALTH. LEARN HOW TO FLOSS CORRECTLY AND BRUSH CORRECTLY.