A bad tooth can cause a sore throat. Dental issues, particularly infections, can lead to pain and discomfort beyond the immediate tooth. This occurs through direct pathways of infection spread and the phenomenon of referred pain.
Direct Pathways from Tooth to Throat
Dental infections, like untreated cavities, gum disease, or abscesses, can spread bacteria and inflammation to adjacent anatomical structures. An abscess, a pus-filled pocket, can form at the tooth’s root from bacterial invasion of the dental pulp. If untreated, it can extend into the surrounding tissues of the jaw and neck.
Bacteria from an infected tooth can travel through the lymphatic system or bloodstream, leading to inflammation and pain in the throat. Swelling in the gums and jaw caused by these infections can also exert pressure on the throat, contributing to soreness. Pus from a dental abscess might drain, irritating the throat tissues.
An infection in the upper molars is close to the maxillary sinus. If the infection spreads to the sinus cavity, it can cause sinusitis, which can cause throat pain. Impacted wisdom teeth, located at the back of the mouth near the throat, can also cause infections that irritate and inflame the throat.
Referred Pain
Beyond direct infection, a bad tooth can cause throat pain through a mechanism called referred pain. This occurs when pain signals from one part of the body are perceived in another, due to shared nerve pathways. Nerves that supply the teeth, particularly branches of the trigeminal nerve, also innervate areas of the face, jaw, and sometimes the throat.
When a tooth experiences pain from decay or inflammation, the brain may misinterpret these signals, leading to the sensation of pain in the throat. The trigeminal nerve is a large cranial nerve that transmits sensations from the face, teeth, and jaw. Irritation or inflammation of this nerve due to a dental issue can cause pain to radiate to unrelated areas like the ear, neck, or throat.
This phenomenon means that even without a direct spread of bacteria or inflammation, the nervous system can create the perception of throat pain originating from a dental problem. Such referred pain can be confusing, as the actual source of the discomfort is not in the throat itself. Therefore, a thorough dental examination is necessary to pinpoint the true origin of the pain.
Accompanying Symptoms and When to Seek Care
When throat pain stems from a dental issue, it is accompanied by other symptoms that indicate its origin. These include:
Persistent, throbbing toothache worsening with hot or cold temperatures or chewing.
Swelling in the face, cheek, or jaw.
A bad taste in the mouth or foul breath.
A pimple-like bump on the gums.
Swollen and tender lymph nodes under the jaw or in the neck.
Fever or general feeling of being unwell, especially if the infection spreads systemically.
Seek professional care promptly if a dental issue causes your throat pain. Immediate dental or medical attention is needed if symptoms include difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading swelling in the face or neck, or a high fever above 101°F (38.3°C). These signs indicate a serious infection requiring intervention to prevent further complications.
What Your Dentist Can Do
Dentists diagnose the underlying dental problem causing throat pain through a comprehensive examination. This involves a visual inspection of the teeth and gums, probing for tenderness, and taking dental X-rays to assess the tooth’s root and surrounding bone for signs of infection, like an abscess.
Treatment approaches depend on the specific dental issue. For a tooth infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to control the spread of bacteria. If an abscess is present, pus may be drained to relieve pressure and remove the infection source.
Common procedures to address the primary dental problem include a root canal, removing infected pulp and sealing the tooth, or tooth extraction if unsalvageable. Addressing the dental issue directly resolves the associated throat pain and prevents further complications.