10 Medical Conditions That Feel Like a Toothache
Could Your Toothache Be Something Else? When Dental Pain Isn’t Actually a Tooth Problem
A recent New York Times article titled The Electric Toothache told the remarkable story of a 69-year-old woman whose severe facial pain turned out to have nothing to do with her teeth.
Her symptoms came on suddenly. She described the pain as powerful electric shocks shooting through her jaw. The attacks were so intense that they stopped her in her tracks and made it difficult to go about her daily life.
Like most people would, she assumed she had a bad tooth and scheduled an appointment with her dentist.
Her dentist performed a thorough examination. X-rays were taken. Her gums were checked. Teeth were tapped to look for sensitivity. Existing fillings were examined, and the dentist searched for tiny fractures that can sometimes irritate a tooth’s nerve.
Everything looked normal.
Because hairline cracks can occasionally be too small to detect, her dentist recommended placing a crown to stabilize the tooth. If an invisible crack was causing the pain, the crown should have solved the problem.
Then the pain came back immediately returned.
Over the following months, she visited more dentists and even explored the possibility of a root canal. Fortunately, the endodontist (root canal specialist) couldn’t find evidence that the tooth’s nerve was diseased and declined to perform the procedure.
Over the next year, her life changed dramatically. She avoided chewing by changing her nutrition to smoothies only, tried not to open her jaw too wide, and even stayed out of cold weather because it triggered the painful attacks.
Finally, a friend mentioned a condition called trigeminal neuralgia.
She saw a neurologist, underwent an MRI, and received the correct diagnosis. A blood vessel was pressing against the trigeminal nerve, causing the intense “electric shock” pain. Her surgeon corrected the issue with the maxillary artery to relieve the pressure, and she was instantly pain-free.
What This Means for Dental Patients in Monroe, NC
This story highlights an important point: not every toothache is actually caused by a tooth.
Dentists are often the first healthcare professionals that people see when they experience pain involving the teeth, jaw, mouth, ear, or even around the eye. In many cases, the problem is dental. Sometimes, however, the source of the pain is something entirely different.
One of the most valuable qualities in any healthcare provider is knowing when something doesn’t fit the usual pattern.
An experienced dentist doesn’t simply look for cavities or broken teeth. They evaluate the entire situation, rule out common dental problems, and recognize when additional testing or a referral to another specialist may be the best next step.
In the New York Times case, the patient’s endodontist deserves credit for recognizing that the symptoms didn’t point to a root canal problem. Instead of performing an unnecessary procedure, the specialist acknowledged that another cause was likely involved. That decision ultimately led the patient to the correct diagnosis.
At Adam Brown DDS, our goal is to identify the true source of your discomfort whenever possible. If your examination suggests that your pain may not be coming from your teeth, we’ll discuss the findings with you and, when appropriate, recommend evaluation by the medical specialist best equipped to help.
Sometimes the most important answer a healthcare provider can give is, “I don’t think your tooth is causing this.”
That answer can save patients from unnecessary dental treatment and help them get to the real cause of their pain much sooner.
Medical Conditions That Can Mimic a Toothache
Trigeminal neuralgia – A chronic nerve disorder that causes sudden, severe, electric shock-like pain in the face. The pain is often mistaken for a toothache because it commonly affects the jaw and upper or lower teeth.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) – Inflammation or infection of the sinuses can create pressure on the roots of the upper back teeth, making healthy teeth feel painful or sensitive.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder – Problems involving the jaw joint or surrounding muscles can cause pain that feels like it originates in one or more teeth, especially during chewing or jaw movement.
Ear infection – Because the nerves serving the ears and jaw are closely connected, an ear infection can produce pain that seems to come from the teeth or jaw.
Migraine headache – Some migraines cause facial pain, jaw pain, or tooth sensitivity rather than the classic headache, leading patients to believe they have a dental problem.
Cluster headache – These extremely painful headaches typically affect one side of the face and can produce intense pain around the eye, upper jaw, or teeth.
Shingles (herpes zoster) – Before the characteristic rash appears, shingles can cause burning or stabbing pain in the face or mouth that closely resembles severe dental pain.
Heart disease or angina – In some people, especially women, reduced blood flow to the heart can cause referred pain in the lower jaw or teeth instead of the chest. Sudden jaw pain accompanied by chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, or sweating should be treated as a medical emergency.
Salivary gland infection or blockage – Infection or a blocked salivary duct can cause swelling and pain in the jaw or mouth that may be mistaken for a tooth infection.
Maxillary sinus or oral tumors – Although uncommon, certain benign or malignant growths involving the jaw, mouth, or sinus cavity can initially present as persistent tooth pain or unexplained facial discomfort that does not respond to routine dental treatment.
If you’re experiencing tooth pain, jaw pain, facial pain, or discomfort in your mouth, don’t ignore it—even if it seems minor or comes and goes. Dental problems are often easiest to treat when they’re caught early, and if your pain isn’t coming from a tooth, finding the real cause sooner can save you weeks or even months of frustration.
At Adam Brown DDS, every concern is worth taking seriously. Whether your pain turns out to be a cavity, a cracked tooth, an infection, or something entirely unrelated to dentistry, Dr. Brown and his team will perform a thorough examination and help you determine the next step. If the problem isn’t dental, we’ll help point you toward the medical specialist who can.
Sometimes the best treatment starts with simply asking the right questions. If something doesn’t feel right, schedule an appointment with Adam Brown DDS. We’d much rather evaluate a concern that turns out to be minor than have you continue living with pain that deserves answers.
Many thanks and appreciation to Lisa Sanders, MD. This article was inspired by her reporting published in The New York Times on July 3, 2026.
Research was led by Dr. Damien Brady, whose team set out to find out if the coconut oil would have an effect on the bacteria Streptococcus, which is present in virtually all human mouths. It is the Streptococcus that is responsible for almost all instances of tooth decay in humans. These bacteria break down sugars consumed and produce acid that wears out teeth. The wearing, in turn, becomes decay.