No advice, but I feel your pain! I was in the middle of a root canal, when I got an infection in that tooth. The pain was very intense & was not helped by over the counter meds. My daughter at times grinds her teeth in her sleep, too.

I would think that with teeth grinding, you would be having pain on both sides, having headaches, and it would be worst in the morning.

It sounds a lot like what I went through last year. I thought I had a sinus infection, then one side of my mouth hurt off and on, and finally, cold and hot drinks started getting painful. I don't grind my teeth, but I clench my jaw when sleeping if I'm under a lot of stress.

It took my dentist a few visits to find the tooth with the problem (apparently it doesn't always show on x-ray), and it ended up needing a root canal, which was an AWFUL experience.

Then, it just continued to hurt and throb and keep me up at night. Eventually, the dentist figured out that the roots of the adjacent tooth were somehow connected or close, and I ended up having a root canal on that tooth too. It was SUCH a relief when it was finally done and I didn't have that awful pain anymore.

I hope you get it figured out-- I would put that pain a close 2nd to gallstones. Good luck!

Jen

It's hard to tell with TMJ. If you are grinding at night you are probably clenching during the day also. That ligament attaches to both your upper and lower jaw at a joint which is right by your ear and is probably very inflamed. Maybe you should ask your dentist to fit you with a mouth guard or splint. I hate to say this but it also could be a dying nerve in the tooth or a hairline fracture. All three mimic the same symptoms and are hard to pinpoint. Does the tooth hurt for no reason or does it need a stimulus like biting down, is it sensitive to hot or cold?

Went back to the dentist this morning. Cause is still unclear. He has me on an antibiotic and if it seems to be helping at all 24 hours from now, it is most likely a tooth infection that did not show up on xray or exam, and he will do a crown or root canal next week. If antibiotics are not doing anything, then it may be something neurological, he thinks. He also gave me some Vicodin but I'm not optimistic about any painkillers at this point. I have to drive DD somewhere in a couple hours so I can't take the pain pills til I get home from that.

So frustrating! I barely slept at all last night. I have pretty severe dental phobia, but right now I'm really hoping this is a dental problem that can be solved with a root canal!

I have been through a similar situation. I grind my teeth at night and it started with a filling I cracked from grinding, I always had some degree of pain. Then I had a root canal. Still had pain. Then I had an abcess- the worst pain I ever had, and I've had 3 kids and a knee replacement. Then I got a crown. Still had pain. At this point my sister in law had graduated dental school and was practicing, and I went to her for her opinion. By now my abcess never fully healed and I had a chronic abcess with fistula, and had an apico procedure by an oral surgeon. A few months later the chronic abcess returned, and finally the tooth had to be extracted. Aaaahhh, finally relief. Still have to have the implant put in. I just wish my dentists wouldn't have been so indignant on saving the tooth, I would have been fine with pulling it much sooner.
I hope this is NOT the path you are going down, I wish you luck.

I'm so sorry you're having facial pain. I have chronic, facial, nerve pain. If you're having nerve pain, ordinary pain relievers are not going to touch it as you've discovered. Knocking yourself out with Vicodin or something similar may help for a while. I find that Ativan works best for me. If your jaw muscles are feeling tense, try opening your mouth about 1" and relax your jaw. Our natural inclination when feeling pain is to tense up, but if you can relax, it will help. I hope you'll be feeling better very soon.
Pat

If your bite seems off, the periodontal ligament is inflamed. This causes a severe throbbing pain that can come and go. The ligament physically pushes the tooth up slightly. Be aware of the signs of this happening.

Did the dentist do any occlusal adjustment (slight grinding) on the tooth in question or the one that bites against it? If the old filling is wearing, it is possible that the tooth or the one that bites against it has moved slightly to compensate. (Teeth like to be in contact). This slight change (fractions of a mm., even) is something that you may be picking up on neuromuscularly and trying to grind it off, if there is an interference. It probably is not something in a straight up and down biting motion, but rather something ecentric (off to the side), because remember, you don't chew like a hinge, you chew in an elliptical fashion.

If the tooth is inflamed, (the periodontal ligament, as was mentioned before) it can actually become slightly elevated or "high" in occlusion, and then this becomes a viscious cycle: its high, so it hits harder when you bite, and so it stays inflamed etc.

Again, we are talking about fractions of a mm. but if this is the culprit, you should feel relief.

Other possibilities are that the filling is starting to leak, has a small fracture, or something like this, and it is too early to pick something up on an x-ray.

After you have sorted this issue out, if you continue to clench or grind, you should consider getting a biteguard. A really successful biteguard not only dissipates the forces from the clenching or grinding, but also positions your jaw in a slightly different way, which neuromuscularly may be enough to break the trigger of whatever it is that starts the clenching or grinding. (Not the stress, but the physical act of the clenching or grinding itself)

Thanks for all the info. The pain is not throbbing, nor does it come and go. It is constant and it's ... I dunno, a PAIN. When it started, I assumed it was tooth-related but now really, it's jaw pain. From my ear to my chin. Sometimes it varies in terms of where it hurts most -- sometimes closer to the ear, sometimes in my chin. Antibiotics don't seem to have an effect so far, but thank God, the vicodin helps. I took two last night and slept almost the whole night. Unfortunately, today's daytime pain has been bad -- up til now, daytime has been not so bad, and the pain starts ramping up in late afternoon -- so I took a pain pill late this morning. Now I'm in less pain but also kind of dopey and tired. I'm supposed to call the dentist back this afternoon to let him know if the antibiotics have had any effect. Not sure what the next step is...

"I went through the weekend with the tooth aching a bit on and off."

Ok, when you said it was aching 'on and off' in your first post that can narrow the problem down.

If you have jaw pain in can still be tooth related. Or not. Try to identify the exact area (if you can) where the pain is. Knowing exactly which nerve is affected can speed the diagnosis.

I grind my teeth, and yes, I have had intense pain from it. Usually a dull pain that aches constantly. The only thing that helped is a biteguard to wear when you're sleeping. I bought one at Wal-Mart, boiled the water to have it form to my teeth. Anyway, after a few days it was unbelievable how much better I felt. Can always tell when I'm grinding and start wearing it again.

Here's the thing: If you're grinding your teeth, no amount of antibiotics or pain killers is going to stop it. And the pain causes you to grind even more. It's a catch-22. Get a bitegaurd immediately! Good luck!

Once this is all resolved, I am most definitely getting a biteguard!

I have had the dull ache from grinding in the past, but nothing like this before and nothing that has lasted this long. This pain feels almost electrical at times, which sounds strange but it's the only way I can describe it.

Tomorrow I am going back to the dentist's office -- he is not going to be in but wants his associate to take a look for another opinion. He thinks there may be a remote chance that there is some breakage within the tooth or within the root (I was stoned on vicodin when I talked to him today so I may not have the details just right) but with that, he thinks I would have felt it significantly when biting down on the tooth -- and I didn't. This one tooth is sensitive to cold and that is the only symptom other than the jaw pain.

If dentist #2 can't see anything, I will see a regular medical doctor. One thing I don't think I have mentioned yet is that as of Friday, my left arm (same side as the mouth pain) also feels kind of funny. Not painful but some weakness in my left hand. It is subtle but it's there. I don't know if that necessarily means it's not a dental problem -- I suppose if I ground down hard enough on a tooth to damage a nerve, it could travel down to my arm? But it would make a case for nerve damage due to grinding versus a specific tooth issue, I guess.

My favorite possession right now is my heating pad...

Just a thought, but have you had any sinus problems or a cold lately? I have had something similar and it is a problem with the Eustachian tube, mine does not always drain properly or something to that effect. If you press right under your ear (where it connects to your jaw), is that area very tender? If you have had any sinus or cold symptoms at all, you might try sudafed or another decongestant and see if it helps your symptoms any. This may be way off base, but the pain you are describing sounds very similar to what I have when I have a problem with this. Before finding out what it was, I thought it was a lower tooth also.

Just a thought. And like you said, if the other dentist can't find anything, seeing a regular doctor is a good idea.

In fact, I think you might should go right on to a regular doctor. Your symptoms are bothering me a little now that you mentioned your arm and I went back and read this is your left side.

Keep us posted!

tina

I just briefly scanned some of your entries. Get a second opinion. Tooth pain can be so vague and mysterious---it's not always cut and dry. Sometimes it's not even the tooth you think that's hurting.

Your inferior alveolar nerve runs beneath your molars and stops at the midline of your chin, which would explain some of the distribution. I would guess you have an abscess and it's compressing on the nerve. Or, yeah, a fractured tooth.

Just a quick update and to thank everyone for their input. I'll spare you all the details, but I did see a second dentist today who confirmed that it does not appear to be a tooth problem. Because of the left arm situation, he suggested I get to my primary dr. right away to rule out a cardiac situation. That scared the heck out of me. I am 45 with no history of any heart issues. Anyway, long story short, I had an EKG which was normal, a physical exam which was normal, am having a stress test on Wed. (my dr. doesn't think it's a heart problem but just being safe), seeing a neurologist on Sat., and an ENT on Monday. Hopefully I will have answers soon. It's frustrating and a little scary. Anyway, I will come back and update you all when I have an answer! I hope it ends up being something simple and easy to resolve. I am usually totally healthy and boring!

Thanks to everyone who provided advice and suggestions.

Sue - it concerned me when you mentioned your arm. I'm glad you did see your doctor and that they are doing the testing!

Thanks for updating us and please continue to do so. I hope they find the problem soon and that you get some relief!

tina

Just an update. Without going into all the details, I was finally diagnosed with TMJ and was fitted for a mouthguard this morning. I'm glad it's not anything more complicated, though I am still in pain and I have to wait a while for the mouthguard to arrive. The dr. says I should wear the mouthguard every night for about 3 months and then slowly wean off it until ideally I'd be wearing it just a few nights a month. That is the plan for now, anyway. He also said it could take a few weeks before the mouthguard starts to relieve the pain, so Advil will continue to be my best friend for a while... hopefully my stomach will hold out!

Glad you gave us an update, and that it wasn't anything more serious. The mouthguard should really help. Hopefully you'll get to say goodbye to the Advil soon.

I was wondering how you were doing. Hopefully the mouthguard helps sooner than later. Glad they figured it out and it wasn't anything more serious!

I hope you get relief!

A dentist can usually tell if you've been grinding by simply looking at your teeth. Another possibility, and one that I'm assuming could still be helped with the mouth guard, is jaw clenching. Got stress? Don't ask me how I know. :)

Parma, yes, one of the things the oral surgeon told me was to be conscientious of clenching during the day and try to make my jaw "go slack" as much as possible even if it feels stupid like I'm sitting there with my mouth hanging open. So I have been trying to do that.

I had no idea TMJ could be so painful. This has been a miserable experience especially since the pain is worst at night so I have not been sleeping well at all.

Did you ever get this figured out? I had the exact same symptoms except it only happens when I eat or drink something hot or cold. I thought it was a crown but the pain is on my upper and bottom right side. I have wisdom teeth that were never removed and I have an appt to get them checked. I grind my teeth and I think that is it. I started using my guard again but it has only been one week. Oragel and alieve seem to help me but when I eat or drink again it comes back. I even feel a little pain in my ear.

The answer was a few threads back, Donny, where SueB wrote:

Just an update. Without going into all the details, I was finally diagnosed with TMJ and was fitted for a mouthguard this morning. I'm glad it's not anything more complicated, though I am still in pain and I have to wait a while for the mouthguard to arrive. The dr. says I should wear the mouthguard every night for about 3 months and then slowly wean off it until ideally I'd be wearing it just a few nights a month. That is the plan for now, anyway. He also said it could take a few weeks before the mouthguard starts to relieve the pain, so Advil will continue to be my best friend for a while... hopefully my stomach will hold out!

So weird. I just got through with this.

1. Aching pain pretty constant. Dentist tried to locate the cause. Not really conclusive. Sent me to the endodontist.

2. Endodontist diagnosed a bad filling in the tooth that seemed to be aching, very old. And we did a root canal. I then left on vacation. What timing.

3. Holy cow the pain! It just started. Different than before. One drop of cold water and it was like the electric chair. Even a fast inhale. I thought "crap, he did the root canal in the wrong tooth."

4. 7 days and 80 advils later, the pain is gone. Vanished. Just like that.

5. Go to my regular dentist. He says he thinks he sees something...a small old filling in between 2 teeth popped out. Maybe that's the source. Going to have it filled again Monday. But really, since the cruise I haven't had any pain.

6. I have a feeling I'm grinding. I get more aware of clenching, and I think I will get a guard to test it out.

Good luck!

So glad you got it figured out and have a solution on the way. I've been wearing a bite guard at night for a few years now (I wear it nightly) due to clenching when stressed, and it has helped a lot. Hope the guard arrives soon!

Yes, the thread is 7 years old -- I am fine now, still wear mouth guard most nights. The person who was most helpful to me in overcoming the TMJ was an experience massage therapist. She was a magician!

I'm going through the same thing right now :( I also have some strong pain meds left from my surgery and unfortunately nothing responds to this darn tooth pain :( feels like someone is pulling your brain out mine comes from grinding the only thing helps with time is a bite guard I use Luna guard that's the best affordable bite guard in the market molds to your teeth not the same as the costume made bite guard the dentist makes but pretty close

I am having an issue with this also and I remember when I was small, hearing elderly relatives talking about neuralgia in this area. Looked it up and there is such a thing but don't understand about it. Will ask dentist next week. Someone above said it is like a shock and that is exactly what it is. OTC meds seems to make no difference! (I'm a grinder/clencher too).

Hello everyone

i have been dealing with severe pain in my jaw for years. Went to dentist. They found nothin. Went to a TMJ dentist for years and keep changing my mouth guard for some relief. I went to a neologist and was told I had trigenial pain. i have had my prescriptions changed 3-4 times because nerve pain meds won‘t last. After reading all the treads I do grind my teeth also. And may be the cause. All started when I had my fillings changed to new ones due to breaking down from age. Went through a divorce also. (Stressful). I was taking meds only once a night but I am moving meds now to 3 times a day again. My problem now is no insurance due to leaving job. But I will see if i can get a mouth guard to made stop the grinding. Thank you all.

Hi everyone! I have been going to the dentist at least once a month for the last 8 months because I’ve had very odd sensations in my teeth. Specifically the front teeth. I keep having tingling and sometimes numb feelings. And it changes from top to bottom, sometimes both. I will also get the sensation that a tooth is moving. I have been diagnosed with bruxism and TMD and wear a splint. The dentist has assured me my teeth aren’t loose and he’s X-rayed all of the teeth I have complained about. No sign of cavity or infection. He has no real answer other than getting $4000 Invisalign braces to adjust my bite. He also prescribed me Valium to help me relax while I sleep and it doesn’t help. Help!!

I have been getting an extreme sharp pain in my face. Lately, it prevents me from sleeping on my right side. I take Carbamazapine and Lyrica both morning and evening but it only masks the pain. I can't even kiss my partner of a morning without getting a sharp excruciating pain. If anyone reads this and knows of a remedy, I am open to suggestions. I am thinking of getting my teeth built up but at this stage, that is only a thought.