Are you having aches and pains in your mouth, and you think that you need to run off to the dentist because you have a problem with one of your teeth? The first thing that anyone would think if they having pains in their mouth that they have a cavity that is causing them pain.
First off, unless the cavity is deep into the tooth, they do not cause pain. That is why often, people who go to the dentist are surprised to learn that they have any cavities because they don’t feel it. However, other causes of pain in the mouth are not related to pain. Let’s look at five reasons there would be a pain in the mouth that feels like tooth pain, but are not:
5 – Sinus Pain
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses, and it will be painful to the point that the pain radiates to the gum area, and that is why it is easy to think that it could be a result of a toothache. However, the ironic thing is that teeth problems can be the cause of inflamed sinuses. Problems with the teeth that are not felt until the sinuses are affected. Seeing the dentist is the first step to take, and then if this is a suspected issue, seeing the doctor is the next step unless the cause for the inflamed sinuses as the teeth.
4 – Jaw Discomfort
Painful teeth may be the result of problems with the jaw. There are many causes of jaw disorders, such as a locked jaw. And when that happens, the jaw spasms as the mouth opens, and the pain from the spasms can radiate to the teeth. Sometimes issues such as the displacement of the disc can be the cause of this issue.
3 – Stones In The Salivary Glands
You have heard of kidney stones, gallstones, and may have been unfortunate enough to suffer from them. And there is another painful type of stone that forms, which is the salivary stone. A stone can form in the salivary gland, and whenever this happens, it can be quite painful and as a result, it would be easy to mistake a tooth being the cause of the pain. To make the determination, a dentist would have to examine the mouth and then order an X-ray to determine the cause. If a stone has been found, and it is small, it can be removed without using a surgical procedure.
2 – Disease Of The Lungs
How could lung disease be mistaken for a toothache? In extreme cases such as lung cancer, the pain can easily radiate from the lungs to the mouth and affect the teeth. That is why if you have a toothache, and you are having problems with breathing and coughing, you need to go right to your doctor to have yourself examined.
1 – Heart Disease
Heart pain can radiate to different areas of the body which can include the left side of the body such as the shoulder and the arm. However, sometimes it can cause pain in the teeth, the lower part. It can mean angina and the teeth, for the most part, are healthy then you need to see a cardiologist if you are also having pain on your left side.
Now you understand that pain in your mouth does not mean that you have a problem with your teeth. The first step is always to go to the dentist if you are having tooth pain. However, if your dentist examines your teeth carefully and finds that your teeth are completely clean, then it will be time to see your doctor because it can be a result of other medical conditions that will need attention right away.
