Yes, a toothache can cause eye pain. The nerves in your teeth, jaw, face, and eyes are closely connected, so pain that starts in a tooth can travel upward and feel like it’s coming from the eye or the area around it. This can be confusing, especially when the eye itself seems fine.
Upper tooth problems are the most common reason this happens. Infections, sinus pressure, or deep decay near the back teeth can irritate nearby nerves and create pressure that radiates toward the eye socket or temple. The pain may be dull, throbbing, or sharp, depending on the underlying cause.
Let’s discuss how toothaches can cause eye pain and when it’s time to see a dental specialist.
Key Takeaways
- A toothache can cause eye pain because the nerves in the teeth, jaw, and face are closely connected.
- Upper tooth infections, sinus involvement, and jaw tension are common reasons this type of pain occurs.
- Eye pain linked to a toothache often feels like pressure or aching rather than sharp eye discomfort.
- Persistent pain, swelling, or fever may signal an infection that needs prompt dental care.
- Treating the dental cause usually resolves both tooth and eye pain and prevents future complications.
Eye pain and tooth pain at the same time?
-
Get $350 free consultation & CT scan
How Tooth Pain Can Travel to the Eye
Tooth pain can reach the eye because the same nerve network serves much of the face. The trigeminal nerve carries sensation from the teeth, jaw, cheeks, and areas around the eyes. When a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, the nerve can send pain signals that spread beyond the mouth.
This is called referred pain. The brain receives the signal but can mislocalize its origin, so discomfort that begins in a tooth may feel like pressure behind the eye or soreness around the eyebrow. Upper teeth are particularly likely to cause this because their roots lie close to the sinus cavity and the eye socket.
Once the dental issue is treated, the nerve irritation settles. In most cases, the eye pain resolves soon after the source of infection in the mouth is addressed.
Common Dental Problems That Can Cause Eye Pain
Here are some of the most common dental issues that are more likely to cause pain in the eye:
Tooth Infection or Abscess
A deep infection in an upper tooth can create pressure and inflammation that travels through nearby nerves. As the infection grows, pain may spread upward, causing discomfort around the eye, cheek, or temple. Swelling or a throbbing sensation is common in these cases.
Sinus Infections Linked to Upper Teeth
The roots of the upper molars sit close to the sinus cavity. When a sinus infection develops, it can press on these roots and cause pain that feels like it’s coming from both the tooth and the eye. This type of pain often worsens when bending forward or lying down.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth that do not have sufficient space to erupt can exert pressure on adjacent teeth and nerves. This pressure can trigger pain that radiates toward the jaw, temple, and eye area, especially on one side of the face.
Teeth Grinding and Jaw Tension
Clenching or grinding your teeth places strain on the jaw muscles and surrounding nerves. Over time, this tension can cause facial pain that spreads upward, leading to soreness around the eyes or forehead.
How Do I Know If My Eye Pain Is Coming From a Toothache?
Eye pain associated with a toothache often accompanies other signs in the mouth or jaw. The discomfort may worsen when you chew, bite down, or apply pressure to a specific tooth. You might also notice sensitivity to hot or cold foods, swelling in the gums, or a dull ache in the upper jaw.
Dental-related eye pain usually affects one side of the face. It may feel like pressure behind the eye rather than sharp pain on the surface of the eye itself. Vision changes, redness in the eye, or discharge are less common when the cause is dental.
A dental specialist can confirm the source through clinical examination and imaging. X-rays or 3D scans help reveal infections, decay, or sinus involvement that may not be visible during a routine eye exam.
When Eye Pain and Tooth Pain Signal an Emergency
Most cases of eye pain caused by a toothache are treatable with routine dental care, but some symptoms should never be ignored. These signs may indicate that an infection is spreading or affecting nearby structures.
Seek urgent medical or dental care if you experience:
- Swelling around the eye, cheek, or jaw
- Fever or chills along with facial pain
- Severe pain that worsens quickly
- Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing
- Changes in vision or pain when moving the eye
These symptoms can point to a serious infection that needs immediate attention. Getting care early helps stop the infection from spreading and protects both your oral health and overall well-being.
How We Treat Toothaches That Cause Eye Pain
Relief starts with finding the exact source of the pain. At Hanna Dental Implant Center in Houston, TX, we use exams and advanced imaging to see whether the problem begins in a tooth, the surrounding bone, or the sinuses.
If decay or infection is the cause, treatment may involve a filling or root canal to remove bacteria and calm the irritated nerve. These procedures often relieve both toothache and eye pain once healing begins.
When a tooth is too damaged to save, extraction may be the safest option. In those cases, a dental implant can replace the missing tooth and restore comfort and function. Some patients qualify for same-day implant solutions, allowing them to leave with a complete restoration in a single visit, depending on their condition.
For pain linked to grinding or jaw tension, our specialists may recommend a custom night guard to reduce strain on the muscles and nerves that contribute to facial and eye discomfort. Treating the dental cause usually brings lasting relief without the need for eye-specific treatment.
Find Relief at Hanna Dental Implant Center
Eye pain that stems from a toothache can feel confusing and uncomfortable, but treating the dental cause often brings both types of pain to an end. Mild discomfort may respond to simple care, but persistent or worsening pain is usually a sign of deeper dental issues.
If you notice lasting pain, swelling, or sensitivity that doesn’t improve, it’s time to get professional dental care. At Hanna Dental Implant Center in Houston, TX, we use advanced imaging and detailed exams to find the exact source of your pain and create a treatment plan that restores comfort and health.
When a tooth is too severely damaged to be saved, extraction may be necessary. In cases where a single tooth is removed, a single-tooth dental implant is a reliable option for long-lasting restoration. These implants look and function like natural teeth, protecting your smile and preventing future problems.
Don’t let pain linger. Schedule a consultation now and get the care you need to stop both tooth and eye discomfort for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my eye hurt when I have a toothache?
Eye pain can happen because the teeth, jaw, and eyes share the same nerve pathways in the face. When a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, the nerve signals can travel upward and feel like pressure or pain around the eye, even though the eye itself is healthy.
What are the signs of a tooth infection spreading?
Signs that an infection may be spreading include swelling in the face or jaw, fever, increasing pain, fatigue, or pain that moves toward the eye, ear, or neck. Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing is also a warning sign that needs immediate attention.
What is the 3-3-3 rule for a toothache?
The 3-3-3 rule is a general guideline. Pain that lasts more than 3 days, becomes severe within 3 hours, or spreads to 3 or more areas of the face often signals a deeper problem. When this happens, a dental exam is strongly recommended.
How long will a toothache last before the nerve dies?
It depends on the cause and severity of the damage. In some cases, a nerve may die within days due to infection or trauma. In others, it can take weeks. Pain may stop once the nerve dies, but the infection can still remain and continue to spread, which is why treatment is still necessary.
