Toothache & Jaw Bone Pain but No Cavity

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LW0919
LW0919 Member Posts: 196
edited March 2019 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi all. I've been having a toothache and a slightly swollen and fairly painful jaw bone for a while now along with some mild numbness in my lower lip and finally got an appointment with my dentist this past week. I was fully expecting to be told I had an abcess or would need a root canal but the dentist couldn't find anything. After xraying the tooth and the roots, she found nothing at all. She said my teeth were in great shape. I'm very confused as to why I'm having all this pain. I was given some sensodyne toothpaste and was told to come back in 3 weeks if the pain was still there though my dentist was at a loss. I really don't think some toothpaste is going to fix this. The pain wakes me up at night and aches really bad, sometimes worse than others. Now, of course you know my mind is starting to really go into overdrive. What if it's bone mets in my jaw? I know it's rare but have read that it does happen. My oncologist was out of the office on Friday but left a message for her to call me back to see what her opinion is.

Does anyone have any insight into this? Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience?

Thanks in advance! ~ Lori

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  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited November 2014

    I would see what the Onc says. You can get bone infections. Does it make you feel unwell, fever, redness, warmth, etc? I'm no doctor but I've read about osteomyelitis, and I think most of the time it's caused by other infections, such as sinusitis, tooth decay/infection, or some sort of trauma to the skin. Do you have TMJ? Arthritis? Just throwing some ideas out there. Keep us posted! HUGS

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2014
    I have chronic sinusitis and it causes my teeth to ache. It is kind of a floating pain not isolated to one specific tooth. The first time I realized what it was I was in the dental chair and as soon
    As he reclined me it disappeared. I proclaimed him a miracle worker.

    I use a neti pot nearly everyday and that keeps things at bay.

    Just a thought. I hope it is nothing serious! Take care.
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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited November 2014

    Hi there .. I had a similar experience. It ended up being a sinus infection. Its been recurring and antibiotics have been necessary. In my case the otolaryngolgist did run a sinus cat scan as I had recurrent pain and swelling.the pain is just debilitating. In my case the sinus infections have gone deep onto my jaw and ear and teeth. After long course of several antiobotics it did clear. But as I shared this has happened several times this year. Three that I recall. I hope your issue is sometht similar. Perhaps see your primary or an ENT. Good luck and keep us posted.

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited November 2014

    I have rheumatoid arthritis and have jaw pain/toothachiness similar to what you mentioned. Mine is a result of the arthritis in the jaw, do you happen to have a history of arthritis? Also TMJ can cause that kind of pain. Sorry you are dealing with this!

    Kendra

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  • LW0919
    LW0919 Member Posts: 196
    edited November 2014

    Thanks everyone for offering alternatives!

    Kendra-I was diagnosed just a few months ago with arthritis in my back (worried then that is was mets to the spine). Maybe it is arthritis!

    Luvmydobies-there isn't any fever, redness or warmth. Just a tiny little knot on my jaw bone that hurts to touch it. Whatever it is, it's starting to affect the nerves because my bottom lip feels a little numb. Like when you've been numbed by the dentist but it starts to wear off.

    Bevin and farmerlucy-was your pain on the top teeth or the bottom? Mine is on the bottom so didn't even associate it with sinuses but guess that too could be a possibility.

    I'm supposed to hear from my onc on Monday so hopefully between either her or my primary physician we will get it figured out. I took hydrocodone to sleep the last two nights but it's rough getting up in the morning. I don't think I can take it on a night before work because 5:30 comes way to early when you're on pain meds. But have to say, I do love some pain meds...slept right through all of the usual nightly hot flashes

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  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited November 2014

    Maybe it's a cyst or something. I wouldn't think you can feel a bone met with your finger. Let us know what you find out.

    I'm in NC also, near Chapel Hill!

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited November 2014

    LWO - Mine was along upper jaw and wrapped at corner of jaw near ear are and then radiated to a portion of lower jaw.  I will say I was on antibiotics for 3 weeks before it finally was cleared up. Good luck I hope your onc can help pinpoint the issue and resolve it for youm

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited November 2014

    Sinus infections can that kind of pain. Also, some people are super-sensitive (ie me.....I was having such terrible pain that I went over and sat at the dentist's office until someone would see me. I had had an appointment, including x-rays just a couple months before done and no cavity had showed up, but when the dentist reviewed them, she noticed there was a little fuzzy spot by one root that she said was a 'pre-cavity', which most people wouldn't even notice. She put a small (silicone, I believe) filling around the root to protect it and I haven't had any problems since (knocking on wood while I type). It could be lots of things besides cancer....hope you get to the bottom of things ASAP!

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  • LW0919
    LW0919 Member Posts: 196
    edited December 2014

    I'm still waiting to hear on this. I was referred to an endodontist for further testing and possibly a root canal. All of my teeth are fine but the nerves surrounding them are super sensitive. My appointment is on 12/30 and really think it will be that I need a root canal. I gate to automatically go to the dark side but can't help but secretly go into panic mode when something goes wrong and they don't have answers. I hope to get past the fear after time.

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  • momof2doxies
    momof2doxies Member Posts: 342
    edited December 2014

    Sinus infections can definitely be the culprit….been there done that. Also, when I had taxotere treatment I had severe pain in my jaw. I could not eat a soft piece of bread. narcotic pain pills did not help…but 800mg ibuprofen eased the pain. And do not underestimate the sneaky side effects of tamoxifen. I am really having joint pain with arimidex.

    Hope you have an answer and relief soon. ((HUGS))

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  • panthrah
    panthrah Member Posts: 433
    edited December 2014

    my friend had 3 teeth pulled over "jaw/ tooth pain" he ended up having trigeminal neuralgia ... look into that before messing with your teeth .. good luck

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  • Selamin
    Selamin Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2015

    If you have any toothache to would recommend you to consult an orthodontist. My uncle had a similar condition which he was recovered after consulting in Houston-based orthodontist. Hope you get well soon.

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  • danix5
    danix5 Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2019

    How did your jaw pain work out? I am having the same issues for a month now. Went to dentist took 10 antibiotics.

    I know it was a while ago but I would appreciate knowing how it worked out for you.

    I am triple positive

    Thank you

    Dan

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited March 2019

    I'm a clencher (not grinder) and get this occasionally. It's so bad that I have to sleep sitting up on the couch, leaning my head on pillows on the opposite side. Mine is a nerve that gets pinched from the clenching, and it takes days sometimes for my jaw to relax enough to let the nerve loose. Sometimes just gently sliding my jaw from side to side, or opening my mouth wide to pop the joint, will help it along. But sleeping sitting up helps because it relaxes the jaw and makes it harder to clench. It's a really painful experience!

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