How Are Ear Infections Treated
To treat an ear infection, health care providers consider many things, including:
- the type and severity of the ear infection
- how often the child has ear infections
- how long this infection has lasted
- the childs age and any risk factors
- whether the infection affects hearing
The type of otitis affects treatment options. Not all kinds need to be treated with antibiotics. Because most ear infections can clear on their own, many doctors take a wait-and-see approach. Kids will get medicine for pain relief without antibiotics for a few days to see if the infection gets better.
Antibiotics arent routinely prescribed because they:
- wont help an infection caused by a virus
- wont get rid of middle ear fluid
- can cause side effects
- usually dont relieve pain in the first 24 hours and have only a minimal effect after that
Also, overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are much harder to treat.
If a doctor does prescribe antibiotics, a 10-day course is usually recommended. Kids age 6 and older who dont have a severe infection might take a shortened course for 5 to 7 days.
Some children, such as those with recurrent infections and those with lasting hearing loss or speech delay, may need ear tube surgery. An ear, nose, and throat doctor will surgically insert tubes that let fluid drain from the middle ear. This helps equalize the pressure in the ear.
When To See A Doctor
If youre fairly certain that the tooth or ear pain is coming from somewhere inside of your mouth, the first professional you want to see is your family dentist. Theyll perform a thorough exam and take either a single-tooth PA X-ray or a full-mouth pano At that point your dentist will be able to rule out any specific types of dental infections, TMJ disorder, and evaluate the adjacent anatomy for possible causes.
If your pain isnt related to your teeth or TMJ, the next provider to see would be your primary care physician. They can examine your ears to screen for a possible infection or sinusitis. Or, they may go ahead and refer you directly to a specialist such as an ENT, who is best equipped to treat non-oral-related issues causing ear or tooth pain.
How To Differentiate A Toothache From An Earache
Inevitably, there is crossover between the symptoms of a toothache and those from an earache. However, there are some defining differences between pain from a tooth or the jaw and pain caused by an earache or sinus blockage:
- Headaches suggest a toothache. While not a guarantee, tooth and ear pain alongside a headache generally indicates a tooth problem, likely a cavity or other tooth decay.
- Cold or flu symptoms suggest sinus infection. Ear and tooth pain alongside symptoms thought to be from a cold or the flu could be signs of a sinus infection or an earache.
- Consider past history. Those who have chronic ear infections are more likely to be dealing with an ear infection. Likewise, those who have experienced toothaches as the result of dental work, decay, or infection should contact their dentist.
Don’t Miss: Sign Language Hungry Baby
Can Ear Infection Cause Toothache
Many people experience minor toothaches at certain points in their lives. While not all aches are serious and problematic, still it is better to seek professional dental help when necessary. What many dont realize is that the cause of a toothache is not limited to dental problems. There are non-dental causes which may be serious when not diagnosed and treated.
Can A Toothache Cause A Sore Throat
A toothache and sore throat, accompanied by other cold or flu symptoms, is likely an earache or sinus infection.
However, when cold and flu symptoms are not otherwise present, a toothache and sore throat may be an indication of:
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Tooth infection
In either case, it is recommended to see a dentist as soon as possible. A toothache that is causing a sore throat is the sign of bacterial growth, often due to poor dental hygiene, a high-sugar diet, or dry mouth due to age or medication.
Read Also: Hungry Sign Language Baby
Oral Health Problems That Lead To Ear Pain
Sometimes, an ear infection can cause tooth pain. In other instances, dental problems can lead to earaches. When determining the cause of your pain, Dr. Mortensen will examine your mouth, and discuss your symptoms and medical history with you.
For the majority of patients, these dental conditions can be the source of ear pain.
The Cure For An Ear Infection Or Sinusitis
The good news is that your teeth should be fine, even if you have multiple ear or sinus infections that result in tooth pain. As far as treatment goes, often these infections will resolve themselves on their own over time. The pain that results can be treated with over-the-counter medicines, including pain killers, saline sprays, or nasal decongestants, or even home remedies. Antibiotics may be required for persistent infections that do not resolve on their own, but because of overuse of antibiotics, doctor often take a wait and see approach first.
If you have tooth pain, particularly in your upper molars, your dentist can help you discover the cause. Keep in mind that he may advise that you see a doctor instead if he sees that your teeth and gums look healthy and problem free. Your problem may very well be sinusitis or an ear infection instead.
Also Check: How Do I Adjust The Volume On My Signia Hearing Aid
Tooth Infection Treatment Options
Depending on the cause of the tooth infection, treatment may include:
Dental Abscess Treatment
During this procedure, your dentist will make a small incision into your gums and drain the abscess. They will drain all of the pus out before stitching it back up to ensure the bacteria is removed.
If your tooth is severely damaged or decayed, extraction will likely be necessary. Youll need a dental implant after the tooth is surgically removed, which can cost up to $4,000.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is necessary if you have a large cavity that has spread to the tooths pulp. This treatment can also involve abscess draining.
During the procedure, your dentist will remove the infected dental pulp and drain the abscess.
The root canal is cleaned, shaped, and sealed. Then a dental crown is placed on top of the root canal treated tooth.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat dental abscesses. After the abscess is drained, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to clear up the remaining infection. Antibiotics alone do not cure abscesses.
Depending on the severity of your abscess or infection, you may need oral antibiotics or IV antibiotics.
Apicoectomy
If you have a root canal-treated tooth but are still experiencing a toothache an apicoectomy may be necessary. This is a minor dental surgery that removes the apex .
If you develop sepsis, you’ll need to visit an ICU . Fluids and IV antibiotics will be used to treat this condition.
Summary
When To See The Dentist
Ideally, you should go to the dentist every six months to a year on average for preventive dental care, including a check-up and dental cleaning according to the American Dental Association . If you have ongoing oral health problems or have a higher risk for periodontal disease or underlying medical problems, like heart disease or diabetes, Dr. Darj may recommend more frequent visits.
But emergencies happen and some dental problems require immediate attention. Pain is usually the main sign that somethings wrong, so you shouldnt wait more than a day or two to schedule an appointment if the pain persists.
- Swollen, red, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Signs of infection, like pus, blisters, or sores on the gums or inside your mouth
- Jaw pain
- Loose teeth
- Changes to your bite
It can be difficult to tell the difference between a toothache or an earache, so its important not to ignore your symptoms to ensure that you get timely and accurate treatment. If you have an infection, you may need prescription medication to clear it up.
In the case of tooth decay or gum disease, the earlier you get treatment the better. Waiting too long can make your symptoms worse, and increase your risk of permanent damage or even tooth loss.
If youre experiencing pain or other symptoms of an oral health problem, dont wait to get help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Darj at our office in El Paso, Texas.
You Might Also Enjoy…
Don’t Miss: Widex Bluetooth
Toothache And Ear Pain On The Same Side
Experiencing a toothache and ear pain on the same side sounds like a painful ordeal. This predicament sounds like multiple aspects of pain altogether.
I certainly wouldnt like to experience something so horrific, so anyone who has such a condition should see their dentist immediately. However, such an experience isnt uncommon as toothache can affect the ears.
This situation sounds primarily for a dentist, though some may require a doctor. Many reasons can cause this particular type of pain in the tooth and ear, so we will share that information and explain a few things to make it easier to analyze.
It will make it simple to treat as you know the problem.
We will look at the leading causes of such pain and why that area. You will see the various symptoms accompanying the different diseases and learn what treatments are best.
The information will be efficient, so it should go a long way in helping you resolve any issues you may have.
Lastly, please be reminded that this information is for knowledge and not attempting to replace your physician. You should always seek advice from your doctor if possible. Use this information as a last resort.
These are the conditions that can cause toothache and earache on one side of your face.
Contents
How A Toothache Could Cause Ear Pain
Tooth pain sometimes radiates to the ear, and you might mistake this pain for an actual earache. Heres why this happens. Our teeth are located close to the ears, and one of the faces most prominent nerve the trigeminal, runs from the upper and lower jaw, around the jaw joint, and into the head to connect to the spinal column. Nerves are notorious for causing referred pain, which often causes people to confuse the actual source of their pain with the wrong area of their body. Just like sciatic pain in the lower back can lead to leg or foot pain, toothaches can send pain signals to other areas of the head, face, or neck.
Another reason why a toothache may cause ear pain is if the tooth is abscessed. An abscessed tooth is an infection that causes severe pain and swelling. In severe cases that are left untreated, the infection and swelling could spread, causing pain in surrounding teeth and the ears. An abscess is a serious condition that requires treatment by the dentist as soon as possible. Not only is an abscess incredibly painful in most cases, but it also could be life-threatening if the infection spreads to other areas such as the heart or brain.
Read Also: Signs That Say Merry Christmas
Got An Earache Suspect An Infected Tooth Come To Muse Dental Now
Muse Dental is proud to be a high-performance dental clinic with over 20 years of experience. If an infected tooth can cause ear or toothache, you can make an appointment on the same day. At Muse Dental Group, dentists experienced emergency root canal treatment. Over 200 patients were very satisfied and chose Muse Dental for their treatment. We are confident that we will offer suitable treatment and be comfortable throughout the process. Our experienced dentists are knowledgeable and special, delivering the best dental treatment. We would like to have a medical examination with a professional doctor of the Muse Dental Group.
How An Earache Can Indicate A Dental Problem
Depending on the cause and intensity, the pain and tenderness from an infected or decayed tooth can extend beyond the tooth and feel like a headache or earache. In fact, many common dental and oral health problems can result in symptoms, like ear pain. A dental exam is necessary to determine the cause of your symptoms, so you should schedule an appointment if your pain intensifies or lasts for more than a few days. Our dentist Dr. Mehrnoosh Darj offers cosmetic and general dentistry services in El Paso, Texas and surrounding areas for all your oral health care needs.
Don’t Miss: How Do You Say Pretty In Sign Language
Can Problems With My Teeth Cause Ear Pain
Earache and toothache can have similar symptoms for a lot of people and it could be hard to differentiate where the pain is coming from. Some earaches can originate from severe tooth inflammation. We call this referred pain. When determining the cause of your pain, Dr Jegatha Thiru will examine your mouth, check your medical history and discuss her findings with you.
Infections Inside The Ear
Antibiotics are not usually offered because infections inside the ear often clear up on their own and antibiotics make little difference to symptoms, including pain.
Antibiotics might be prescribed if:
- an ear infection does not start to get better after 3 days
- you or your child has any fluid coming out of the ear
- you or your child has an illness that means there’s a risk of complications, such as cystic fibrosis
They may also be prescribed if your child is less than 2 years old and has an infection in both ears.
Recommended Reading: How To Pair Phonak Hearing Aids With Iphone
How Is Otitis Interna Treated
Otitis interna is a very serious condition. If your dog is unable to eat or drink normally due to nausea or disorientation, then hospitalization for intravenous fluid therapy is generally warranted. Nausea must be controlled and dehydration avoided. It may also be necessary to sedate or anesthetize your dog in order to adequately see the ear tissues, take samples for bacterial culture, and appropriately clean the ear.
Treatment of the underlying infection is very important, and your veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate medications. Medications will be administered directly in the ear and orally. Antibiotics will be used for a bacterial infection for 6-8 weeks minimum. If the infection is fungal in nature, an anti-fungal medication will be prescribed. Whatever medications are chosen, it is critical that they be given precisely as prescribed.
If your dog has an altered balance, restrict his activity during treatment to prevent falling injuries.
If your dog has an altered balance, restrict his activity during treatment to prevent falling injuries. These dogs should not have access to stairs as they may take a tumble. You may also need to hand feed your dog temporarily reaching down into a dish may stimulate nausea.
A Can Wisdom Tooth Pain Cause Ear Pain Or Sore Throats
Wisdom teeth are often a major cause of pain for people around the world. When you see yours appear, its good to quickly check if its coming in as you wish. These teeth do not sprout until the person becomes a young adult and they usually appear before the age of 25. Its perfectly normal to feel like these teeth are hurting but how much pain, exactly, is normal?
The reason people tend to feel pain when these teeth appear is because the mouth is overcrowded. In that case, your wisdom teeth may need to be removed. However, if you have enough space in your mouth for your teeth to come out, you shouldnt be in too much pain. You also dont need to remove wisdom teeth, which is a big bonus!
Most people are crowded, and when it is particularly bad, your wisdom teeth can actually be stopped. If the tooth is not removed quickly, the following may occur:
Don’t Miss: How To Say Im Hungry In Sign Language
When To See Your Dentist
Not all toothaches become serious health concerns. But if youre experiencing a toothache, its best to get treatment before it gets worse.
- fever
- red gums
- pain when chewing or biting
If you have a broken tooth or if a tooth comes out, see your dentist right away.
While youre waiting to see the dentist, you might find relief by:
- avoiding hot or cold drinks and food
- avoiding chewing on the side of the tooth ache
- eating only cool, soft foods
Youre at risk of tooth infection if you dont have good dental hygiene. Take good care of your teeth by:
- brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day
- flossing your teeth at least once a day
- decreasing your intake of sugar
- eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables
If untreated, a tooth infection could potentially travel to other areas of your body, resulting in a potentially life-threatening infection. Signs of a tooth infection spreading to the body may include:
- fever
- increased breathing rate
- stomach pain
Last medically reviewed on May 28, 2019
Overcoming Tooth And Ear Pain
If you have tooth and ear pain on the same side, theres a really good chance that you have something like TMJ disorder or a sinus infection going on. Since your TMJ, teeth, ears, and sinuses are all so close to each other, its common to experience referred pain that is coming from one area or the other.
However, issues such as swimmers ear, arthritis, or abscessed teeth can in rare cases cause similar symptoms. If your pain is severe and doesnt go away through routine home care, speak to your dentist or physician to get an accurate diagnosis and specific treatment plan.
You May Like: Sign Language For Pee And Poop