I have tongue pain

Question:

“I have a toothache and my tongue hurts in the same spot as the tooth.  What is causing this and is there anything I can do at home to treat it.”

Answer:

Causes of Tooth Pain

There are several causes of tooth pain.  The more common causes include:

• Tooth decay/cavity: this can cause an inflammation of the pulp, thus causing pain
• Enamel loss due to abrasion: some tooth structure may be lost due to brushing too hard or grinding your teeth for example, exposing dentin and causing tooth pain
• Pulpitis: this is an inflammation of the pulp, and is a common cause of tooth pain.
• Periodontal disease: the periodontium is the collective structure that surrounds and holds teeth in the bone. When this is affected by bacteria, etc, teeth may be exposed because of gum recession and bone loss, and may be painful.

Causes of Tongue Pain

• Pain from teeth: pain from teeth, especially from an infected tooth, may cause tooth pain (this kind of pain is called referred pain)
• Anemia: insufficient iron or B vitamins in the diet can cause the tongue to become red and ‘bald’, where the small bumps (papillae) on the surface of the tongue may be lost, and may be painful.
• Cancer:  many forms of cancer manifest in the oral cavity, and the tongue is often affected.
• Heavy smoking: one of the less known side effects is tongue pain (or sometimes numbness).

Proper dental hygiene

Regular brushing and daily flossing are always encouraged as ways to prevent many of the causes of tooth pain. It’s always best however to consult with a dentist for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment, as the causes for each individual vary. The doctor will be able to evaluate your history, take dental radiographs (dental x-rays), etc. The cause of your pain may most likely be an infected tooth, but we encourage you to see a dentist to have it taken care of. Good luck to you!