A broken tooth, characterized by a crack, chip, or fracture in its structure, can be a source of significant discomfort. This type of dental damage can indeed lead to headaches, a connection that might not be immediately obvious but is well-established in dental health.
How a Broken Tooth Can Lead to Headaches
A broken tooth can trigger headaches through several interconnected mechanisms within the complex oral and cranial systems. Damage to the tooth can expose the sensitive internal pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When these nerves become irritated or infected, the pain can radiate beyond the tooth itself, extending into the head. This referred pain occurs because the trigeminal nerve, a large nerve responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions like chewing, connects both the teeth and the head.
Infection and inflammation are common consequences of a broken tooth. Bacteria can enter the compromised tooth structure, leading to an abscess or widespread inflammation. This infection can spread to surrounding tissues, causing pain and pressure that contribute to headaches or even migraines.
Changes in a person’s bite pattern due to a broken tooth or pain-induced clenching can strain the jaw muscles, such as the masseter and temporalis. This muscle tension often results in tension headaches, characterized by a dull, aching pain around the temples or forehead. The body’s natural response to dental pain can involve unconsciously clenching or grinding teeth, known as bruxism, which over time fatigues jaw muscles and can contribute to chronic headaches.
Furthermore, misalignment or pain stemming from a broken tooth can place undue stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jawbone to the skull. Dysfunction in the TMJ can lead to pain that radiates throughout the head, face, and neck, directly contributing to headache symptoms.
Different Types of Tooth Fractures
The type of fracture can influence the severity and nature of the pain experienced, including its potential to cause headaches. Craze lines are very fine, superficial cracks that appear only in the outer enamel layer of the tooth. These are common in adults, usually harmless, and typically do not cause pain or require treatment, being more of a cosmetic concern.
A fractured cusp occurs when a piece of the chewing surface of the tooth breaks off, often around a dental filling. While it may cause sharp pain when biting, especially upon release, it often does not affect the tooth’s sensitive pulp unless the fracture is extensive. This type of fracture can cause pain that radiates, potentially contributing to headaches.
A cracked tooth involves a crack that extends from the chewing surface vertically towards the root. This can lead to intermittent pain, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, and discomfort when chewing, which may also be a source of referred pain and headaches.
When a cracked tooth progresses to the point where it separates into two distinct segments, it becomes a split tooth. This condition is typically very painful and can cause significant radiating pain, often necessitating extraction.
Finally, a vertical root fracture begins in the root of the tooth and extends upwards towards the chewing surface. These fractures can be difficult to diagnose because they may not present with symptoms until the tooth pulp becomes infected. Persistent pain and infection associated with vertical root fractures can contribute to ongoing headaches.
Recognizing Related Symptoms and When to Seek Care
Specific symptoms alongside a headache can help indicate that a broken tooth might be the underlying cause. One common sign is sharp pain when biting or chewing, particularly when releasing the bite. This occurs because pressure on the fractured tooth can irritate the internal structures. Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks is another frequent symptom, resulting from exposed dentin or nerve endings due to the crack.
Swelling in the gum tissue around the affected tooth can also be present, often indicating an infection or inflammation. A foul taste in the mouth or bad breath might signal an ongoing infection, such as an abscess. Pain that worsens when lying down can suggest increased pressure from inflammation or infection within the tooth.
If any of these symptoms accompany a headache, seeking prompt professional dental care is advisable. Delaying treatment can lead to more severe complications, such as the spread of infection, increased pain, or even tooth loss. A persistent toothache lasting more than two days, especially with fever, swelling, or difficulty opening the mouth, warrants an immediate dental evaluation.
Professional Diagnosis and Treatment
When a broken tooth is suspected as the cause of headaches, a dentist will conduct a thorough examination to confirm the diagnosis. The dentist will visually inspect the tooth for cracks and may use specific tools, such as an explorer, to identify fractured areas. Biting tests, where the patient bites down on a stick or similar device, can help pinpoint the affected tooth and elicit pain response.
Dental X-rays are a standard diagnostic tool, though some cracks may be too small or in an unfavorable orientation to be visible on conventional X-rays. In such cases, advanced imaging like a cone beam computed tomography (CT) scan might be used to detect bone loss or complex fractures. Techniques like transillumination, which involves shining a light through the tooth to highlight cracks, or applying dental dye, can also help make fractures more apparent.
Treatment approaches for a broken tooth vary depending on the type and severity of the fracture. For minor chips or cracks, dental bonding is often used, where a tooth-colored resin material is applied and sculpted to repair the tooth. If the fracture is more significant, a dental crown may be recommended. A crown is a cap that completely covers the damaged tooth, restoring its shape, size, and strength while protecting it from further damage.
If the fracture extends into the tooth’s pulp, causing damage or infection, root canal therapy becomes necessary. This procedure involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and then sealing it. A dental crown is often placed over a tooth after a root canal to protect and restore its function. In severe cases where the tooth is extensively fractured and cannot be saved, extraction may be the only option. Following extraction, replacement options such as dental implants or bridges can be considered to restore the missing tooth and maintain oral function.