The trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in your face and mouth, also plays a major role in headaches and migraines. When a tooth problem irritates this nerve, pain can radiate throughout your head.
Here's how dental problems cause headaches, which teeth are most likely to trigger head pain, and how treating the tooth problem can cure your headache.
The Trigeminal Nerve Connection
- Your forehead and upper face
- Your cheeks and upper teeth
- Your lower jaw and lower teeth
When one branch is irritated—say, by an infected tooth—the pain can spread along other branches of the nerve. This is called "referred pain," and it's why a problem with your lower molar can cause pain in your temple or behind your eye.
This nerve connection explains why:
- Upper tooth problems often cause pain around the eyes and forehead
- Lower tooth problems often cause pain in the jaw, temple, and ear area
- Severe tooth infections can trigger migraine-like symptoms
Types of Headaches Caused by Tooth Problems
Tension-type headaches
Caused by jaw clenching or teeth grinding (bruxism). The constant muscle tension in your jaw spreads to your temples and the back of your head. Pain is usually:
- Dull and aching
- Feels like a band around your head
- Worse in the morning (if you grind at night) or evening (if you clench during stress)
Sinus-like headaches
Upper tooth infections can spread to the sinuses, or sinus pressure can mimic tooth pain. Symptoms include:
- Pain and pressure around cheeks and eyes
- Worse when bending forward
- May have nasal congestion
Migraine-type headaches
Severe dental infections and nerve irritation can trigger migraine attacks in people who are susceptible. Symptoms may include:
- Intense, throbbing pain (often one-sided)
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea
- Visual disturbances
TMJ headaches
Problems with the temporomandibular joint (where your jaw meets your skull) cause headaches that feel like:
- Pain in the temple area
- Aching in the jaw
- Clicking or popping when you open your mouth
- Pain that worsens with chewing
Which Teeth Cause Which Headaches
Upper front teeth (incisors)
→ Pain around forehead and between eyes
Upper back teeth (molars)
→ Pain in temples, around eyes, possible sinus-like symptoms
Lower front teeth (incisors)
→ Pain in lower face and chin
Lower back teeth (molars)
→ Pain in jaw, temple, ear, and side of head
Wisdom teeth (upper or lower)
→ Pain radiating through jaw, ear, and sometimes down the neck
Impacted teeth
→ Can cause widespread, hard-to-localize head pain
How to Tell If Your Headache Is From Your Teeth
Clues it's tooth-related:
- Headache started around the same time as tooth pain
- Pain worsens when you eat, drink hot/cold liquids, or chew
- Pressing on a specific tooth increases the headache
- You have visible tooth damage, swelling, or gum problems
- Pain is worse in the morning (possible grinding)
- Over-the-counter headache medicine doesn't fully help
Clues it's probably NOT tooth-related:
- Headache follows typical migraine patterns you've had before
- No tooth sensitivity or dental symptoms
- Headache responds well to your usual headache treatment
- Clear triggers like stress, lack of sleep, or certain foods
When in doubt: See both a dentist and a doctor. Sometimes headaches and tooth problems coexist but aren't related, and you need treatment for both.
Treatment: Fixing the Tooth to Cure the Headache
If the cause is an infected tooth:
- Root canal or extraction eliminates the infection
- Antibiotics may provide temporary relief
- Headaches typically resolve within days of treatment
If the cause is teeth grinding (bruxism):
- Custom nightguard prevents grinding damage ($300-$800)
- May need to address underlying stress or sleep issues
- Muscle relaxants can help in severe cases
If the cause is TMJ dysfunction:
- Nightguard or bite splint
- Physical therapy for jaw muscles
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Sometimes orthodontics to correct bite alignment
If the cause is a cavity or cracked tooth:
- Filling or crown repairs the tooth
- Pain and referred headaches resolve quickly
For immediate relief while waiting for treatment:
- Alternate ibuprofen and acetaminophen
- Apply ice to jaw (not directly on skin)
- Soft food diet to reduce chewing
- Relaxation techniques for jaw tension
Key Takeaways
The key is getting the right diagnosis. See a dentist to evaluate your teeth, and mention your headaches. In many cases, treating the dental problem completely resolves the headaches that have been plaguing you.
Don't just treat the headache and ignore the toothache. Fix the root cause, and you may fix both problems at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a toothache cause a migraine?
Yes, dental problems can trigger migraine attacks in migraine-prone individuals. The trigeminal nerve, which is involved in both tooth sensation and migraines, creates this connection. Treating the dental issue often reduces migraine frequency.
Can a toothache make your whole head hurt?
Yes, tooth pain can radiate throughout your head due to the trigeminal nerve distribution. Severe infections or abscesses can cause widespread head pain, neck pain, and even referred pain to the ears.
How do I know if my headache is from my teeth?
Signs include: headache that started with tooth pain, pain worsens with chewing or temperature changes, pressing the tooth increases head pain, and standard headache medicine doesn't fully work. See a dentist for evaluation.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on Urgent Dental Helper is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a dental or medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
