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Dental Nation
Symptom guide

Earache With Tooth Pain

By the Dental Nation clinical team — a licensed dental group practising in the UAE

Earache with tooth pain can occur with a dental abscess, which may also cause swelling, fever, and trouble chewing.

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The short answer

Earache with tooth pain can occur with a dental abscess, which may cause intense tooth or gum pain, swelling, and difficulty opening the mouth.

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Earache With Tooth Pain dental educational illustration

What can earache with tooth pain feel like?

A dental abscess can also bring redness inside the mouth or over the face or jaw, heat or cold sensitivity, a bad taste, swollen neck glands, and a high temperature.

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Symptoms that can accompany earache and tooth pain
SymptomWhere it may be noticed
SwellingThe face or jaws may become swollen[1][2]
Mouth movementOpening the mouth and chewing can become difficult[1][2]

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What can cause tooth pain and earache together?

A dental abscess is an infection in which pus builds beneath a tooth or gum. Tooth decay, gum disease, an impacted tooth, injury to the mouth, and some cancer treatments are listed reasons it can develop.

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Reasons a dental abscess may develop
CauseWhat it involves
Decay or gum diseaseBoth are listed causes of a dental abscess[1][2]
Impacted tooth or injuryA tooth that has not erupted properly or an injury can be involved[1][2]

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What relief is safe tonight?

Painkillers may be used for earache, but some are unsuitable during pregnancy or for other people. Check the medicine leaflet or get medical advice before taking one.

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How is the source of the pain checked?

The nature of urgent dental care is assessed from factors including pain, swelling, loss of function, how long symptoms have lasted, and the response to appropriate medication.

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How is a dental abscess treated?

Treatment drains the pus. When a tooth problem caused the abscess, treatment may include root canal treatment or removal of the tooth, with local anaesthetic so the procedure is not felt; pain relief and antibiotics may follow.

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How can I lower the chance of another abscess?

Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, spit after brushing without rinsing, and clean between the teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes.

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When does this need urgent dental care?

A suspected dental abscess needs urgent dental assessment. A swollen face or jaws, fever, and difficulty opening the mouth or chewing are warning signs that can occur with it.

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Frequently asked questions

Can an abscess make my ear ache as well as my tooth?

Earache and tooth pain can occur together, and a dental abscess can also cause facial or jaw swelling, a bad taste, and difficulty chewing.

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Keep reading

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Who wrote this page

This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.

This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.

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