Experiencing pain that feels like it’s coming from your eye, but suspecting a toothache is the cause, is a common experience. This sensation is not imaginary; a toothache can indeed cause discomfort that radiates to the eye area. This phenomenon occurs due to the intricate network of nerves that connect various parts of your head and face.
The Anatomical Connection
The reason pain from a tooth can be felt near the eye involves a concept known as “referred pain.” This means the brain misinterprets the origin of a pain signal, perceiving it as coming from a different location than its actual source. This happens because multiple areas share common nerve pathways.
The primary pathway involved is the trigeminal nerve, also known as cranial nerve V. This nerve handles sensation in most of your face, including teeth, jaw, and eye areas. It has three main branches: ophthalmic (eye and forehead), maxillary (upper jaw and mid-face), and mandibular (lower jaw). When irritation or inflammation occurs in a tooth, especially in the upper jaw, signals travel along these interconnected branches. The brain receives these signals but can struggle to pinpoint the precise location, leading to pain in a nearby area like the eye.
Common Dental Causes
Several dental conditions can lead to referred pain in the eye area. One frequent cause is tooth decay, where deep cavities can irritate the nerves within the tooth. This irritation can then radiate pain to other parts of the face, including around the eye.
Another significant cause is a dental abscess, an infection at the tooth’s root. An untreated abscess can spread, causing pain and swelling around the eyes. It can affect structures like the tear duct or eye orbit.
Impacted wisdom teeth can also contribute to eye pain. When impacted wisdom teeth put pressure on adjacent nerves and structures, such as nearby sinuses, this can lead to referred pain in the eye or general facial discomfort.
Grinding or clenching teeth, known as bruxism, is another potential source. The constant muscle strain in the jaw can radiate tension to the eye muscles, causing eye strain, pressure, or even headaches behind the eyes. This muscle tension can also affect nerves, leading to discomfort.
Sinusitis can cause pain around the eyes. Upper molars are close to the maxillary sinuses, so an infection in these teeth can lead to sinus inflammation and pressure, which is then felt in the eye area.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause widespread facial pain, including around the eye. Dysfunction in the TMJ can lead to muscle tension or nerve compression that manifests as eye pain.
When to Seek Professional Help
Seek professional dental or medical attention for persistent or severe pain, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. Home remedies offer only temporary relief. A dentist can accurately diagnose the cause through a thorough examination to pinpoint the source.
Schedule a dental appointment if a toothache lasts over two days, doesn’t improve with medication, or comes with a high temperature, pain when biting, red gums, or a foul taste. Seek immediate attention for swelling below your eye or jaw, difficulty opening your mouth, or any swelling in your mouth or neck that hinders breathing, swallowing, or speaking. Untreated dental problems can lead to more serious health complications, as infections can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain and bloodstream. Addressing the dental issue is crucial for resolving the referred eye pain and preventing further health concerns.