How Can Tooth Pain Cause Chest Pain? (With 4 Helpful Tips)

Can tooth pain cause chest pain?

It seems a bit strange to associate dental pain with chest pain. Generally, when feeling pain, it is pointed directly to the affected area or near it. The most common facial pain originates from the teeth, gums, or muscles of the jaw. However, some patients can manifest pain in the chest area even if the source is distant.

This type of pain is known as heterotopic (pain perceived in an area that is not the true source of it) An example of heterotopic pain of cardiac origin.

Diagnosing a pathology is always a challenge for both the doctor and the dentist; they must know normal anatomy and the functioning of all the organs in the body. Some cardiovascular problems may manifest in the region of the face. The problem is when this pain is the only symptom. In order to reach an accurate diagnosis, the patient must be thoroughly examined, emphasizing risk factors such as the person’s lifestyle, diet, amount of exercise, etc.

 

What is dental pain?

The pain of dental origin is the main reason for consulting a dentist. Dental pain comes mainly from the pulp, the innermost part of the tooth. It should only hurt when there is a cavity or trauma (blow to the tooth). Dental pain is initially delayed because the patient may first feel tenderness or a hard-to-locate discomfort. In most cases, it is more annoying at night or when the patient goes to sleep. It will disappear when the cause is removed.

 

What is chest pain?

Chest pain may not be due to an underlying disease, lifting heavy weights, receiving a blow to the chest, or swallowing a large chunk of food, although chest pain is often associated with a heart attack. Chest pain is not the only warning of a heart attack since other symptoms can alert the patient to a problem.

Chest pain can be scary; however, it does not mean you are having a heart attack. It may be due to any of the following:

• • Angina pectoris
  • Panic attack
  • Digestive problems like heartburn
  • Sore muscles
  • Lung diseases such as pneumonia
  • Costochondritis (inflammation of the chest joints)

 

Tooth pain and chest pain

Sixty percent of people across the world are unaware that tooth or jaw pain may be associated with or the first sign of an imminent heart attack. In fact, 90% of diseases, including cardiac disorders, have oral symptoms. Thus, it is important that doctors and dentists know the warning signs to educate the population to improve dental health. Oral hygiene not only helps prevent heart disease, but it also improves the health of patients who already suffer from heart disease.

 

The gums and the heart

Inflammation in the gums occurs with the accumulation of bacterial plaque. The first phase of gum disease is gingivitis, while in more advanced stages, it is periodontitis. Studies indicate that people with gum disease are at greater risk for a heart attack because bacteria from the affected area can enter the bloodstream and promote the formation of clots that block the flow of blood to the heart.

The main signs of gum disease are:

• • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Bad breath
  • Pain in the mouth

People can manifest some type of pain in the oral region, generally in the jaw and the area of ​​the third molars. The origin of the pain can be located in the heart as well. Cardiovascular problems such as myocardial ischemia or angina pectoris may be the issue.

 

Additional advice

Each person can have different symptoms, but the symptoms of a disease can be misleading. Toothache can be  complex, which is why the following should be considered:

1. 1. A toothache may be related to different problems from sinusitis to chest pain. That is why it should not be ignored or given less importance because it is only about the “teeth”.
   2. Remember that the entire body is interconnected. Chest pain that spreads to the neck, teeth, or jaw, nausea, and indigestion are symptoms that can occur days, hours, or minutes before a heart attack.
   3.  Angina can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication; treating it will minimize symptoms.
   4. The most important thing is to avoid self-medication. Always consult both a doctor and a dentist if you have any of the symptoms described above, taking into account that ignoring them can put your health and especially your life at risk.

 

Contact us

If you have any questions about this or other topics, you can contact us at Channel Islands Family Dental as well as our page on Facebook. We look forward to your visit and we will make a timely diagnosis. Our dentists in  Oxnard, Santa Paula, Ventura, Newbury Park, and  Port Hueneme will be able to guide you toward the best treatment to take care of your health and give you back your best smile.

 

Bibliography

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2. National Library of Medicine. (February 17, 2021).Medline plus. Retrieved from Chest pain:https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/chestpain.html
3. Take care of yourself. (February 19, 2004). Take care of yourself. Obtained from Dental problems warn of possible cardiac disorders:https://cuidateplus.marca.com/familia/nino/2004/02/18/problemas-dentales-advierten-posibles-trastornos-cardiacos-3529.html
4. The world. (October 1, 2013).The world. Retrieved from Chest pain is not the only symptom of a heart attack:https://www.elmundo.es/elmundosalud/2013/09/27/corazon/1380274844.html
5. Elsevier. (November 18, 2022).Elsevier Connect. Obtained from Diagnosis of non-odontogenic dental pain: https://www.elsevier.com/es-es/connect/medicina/diagnostico-del-dolor-dental-non-odontogeno#:~:text=Dolor%20heterot%C3% B3peak%3A%20any%20pain%20that,the%20central%20and%20the%20projected.
6. Saez Yuguero MR, BF (September 01, 2003).Advances in odontostomatology. Retrieved from Mandibular pain of cardiac origin: https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-12852003000500002