A recent in vivo study with rats verified that the stimuli by orthodontic tooth movement could evoke the neural excitation of the cerebral somatosensory cortex. As a result, the patient feels pain or discomfort.

Occasionally, braces may cause minor headaches, though your orthodontist can help you treat these minor temporary issues. However, you may experience frequent headaches caused by a variety of dental and jaw conditions.

Mild Discomfort Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help most people relieve whatever tension or pain they feel. If headaches or pains become much worse over time, do let your dentist know as it could be a sign of something else at work.

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is when there is a problem with a jaw joint and the muscles surrounding it. TMJ can cause pain in the joint and muscles, but it can also cause toothaches and headaches. The headaches are typically triggered by an action like chewing or opening and closing the mouth.

If you’re experiencing headaches that seem to radiate from your jaw, it might be worth booking an appointment with your Enamel Dental dentist instead of your GP. In any event, consult a medical professional so you can be on your way towards a pain and headache-free life.

Final Verdict: Save the Tooth if Possible In addition, healing from an extraction takes longer and is often more painful than healing from a root canal, and pulling the tooth means even more dental procedures and healing time to replace it later. Still, pulling the tooth might be right for some situations.

If a cavity is not drilled and filled in an early stage, bacteria can enter the pulp of the tooth, leading to infection and pain. This abscess, or collection of pus, can spread into the bone, making your whole body ill. Symptoms of decay include tooth sensitivity, pain when you bite or chew and dark spots on teeth.

While most common signs of a tooth abscess include gum tenderness, a sore jaw, swelling, or throbbing pain, other complications may be experienced, including vertigo and headache.

When you are suffering from a tooth infection, you may want an easy solution, such as a course of antibiotics. However, antibiotics won’t cure your tooth infection. Oral bacterial infections cause abscesses, which are small pockets of pus and dead tissue in the mouth.

If the tooth isn’t treated, it can cause the bacteria to enter the roots. The bacteria will then feed on your nerve tissues and blood vessels. This allows them to spread and multiply, wreaking havoc in your mouth.

My first choice of antibiotics is amoxicillin—that is, if there are no contraindications, such as allergies (figure 1). Because of its broad spectrum, it is effective against root canal-invading bacteria and polymicrobial infections. Metronidazole is added to the regimen if amoxicillin is ineffective after 48–72 hours.

How Do You Know if Your Root Canal is Infected?

1. Constant pain.
2. Sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods.
3. Swelling and tenderness.
4. Tooth discoloration.
5. Pimple or abscess on the gums.
6. Hot feeling around the tooth and gums.
7. When to call your dentist.
8. Get the relief you need.