Pressure in or behind your eye can sometimes originate from a problem with your teeth. The mouth and eyes are in close proximity, connected by a complex network of nerves and facial structures, meaning an issue in one area can create symptoms in another. An infection or inflammation related to a tooth can trigger pain or a feeling of pressure that appears to come from the eye.
The Anatomical Link Between the Mouth and Eyes
The connection between dental problems and eye pressure is due to shared neurological pathways. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for sensation in most of the face, including the teeth, jaws, and the area around the eyes. This nerve has three main branches for the eye region, upper jaw, and lower jaw. Because these branches originate from the same source, irritation in one area can send confusing signals to the brain, a phenomenon known as referred pain.
When a tooth becomes infected, irritation can travel along the nerve’s jaw branches. The brain may then interpret these signals as originating from the eye branch, leading to a sensation of pressure in or behind the eye. This is why a toothache can be accompanied by discomfort that feels unrelated to the mouth.
The proximity of the upper teeth to the sinus cavities provides another link. The roots of the upper molars are located near the maxillary sinuses, air-filled spaces behind the cheekbones and below the eyes. A dental infection in one of these teeth can spread into the sinus, causing inflammation and fluid buildup known as maxillary sinusitis. This inflammation creates pressure within the sinus cavity that is often felt directly behind the eyes.
Dental Conditions Causing Referred Eye Symptoms
Several dental issues cause symptoms like eye pressure. A dental abscess, a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection, is a common cause. When an abscess forms at the root of an upper tooth, the inflammation and pressure can radiate upward, affecting the nerves and sinuses near the eye. This can create a persistent, dull ache or a feeling of fullness behind the eyeball.
Impacted wisdom teeth are another source of referred pain. When these third molars lack space to erupt properly, they can become trapped in the jawbone and press against nerves. This pressure on the trigeminal nerve can trigger pain signals felt in other parts of the face, including the eyes and temples. The discomfort is often a deep, radiating ache.
Maxillary sinusitis of dental origin is a direct cause of pressure in the eye area. This condition, accounting for 10 to 20% of cases, is caused by a dental infection that has breached the bone separating tooth roots from the sinus cavity. It leads to facial pain, congestion, and a distinct sensation of pressure behind the eyes, often worsening when bending forward. The symptoms can be mistaken for a standard sinus infection, as the underlying cause is dental.
Identifying the Cause and Seeking Treatment
Distinguishing between a dental issue and a primary eye problem involves looking at accompanying symptoms. Dental-related eye pressure is often one-sided and joined by other signs like a toothache, pain when chewing, jaw soreness, or facial swelling. The discomfort might feel like a dull, throbbing ache radiating from the jaw toward the eye. You may also notice sinus infection symptoms if the infection has spread.
In contrast, conditions originating in the eye, such as glaucoma, present with different symptoms. While glaucoma increases intraocular pressure, it may not cause a noticeable sensation of pressure until advanced. Instead, early signs might include gradual loss of peripheral vision. Other eye conditions causing pressure, like optic neuritis, might involve pain with eye movement or changes in color perception.
Deciding which professional to see depends on your primary symptoms. If your main complaint is a toothache, jaw pain, or facial swelling accompanied by eye pressure, a dentist should be your first call. A dental examination and X-rays can identify problems like an abscess or impacted tooth. If your symptoms are centered on the eye, such as vision changes, or you have no obvious dental pain, see an ophthalmologist to rule out eye-specific conditions.