Wisdom tooth pain - neuralgia or cavity help!

[Judythecat]

Hi, I know no-one can answer this properly without seeing me, but if anyone is able to give me any advice it would be much appreciated.

I have been experiencing a burning pain around my lower left wisdom tooth, where my cheek touches the tooth's side. The pain is similar to my usual neuraligia/atypical facial pain, but because it's in a new spot I am worrying.

My last check up was two months ago, and I am due another at the end of October. I am on three monthly checks because of the neuralgia. I can see the tooth has some dark spots on the side, but these have been there as long as I can remember and my dentist has never suggested any action. I don't feel any pain in the "core" of the tooth, with hot/cold, or on biting, just where it rubs against my cheek.

I know my dentist would slot me in if need be, but I really don't want to be a pest, and the pain isn't bad enough to take medication. Does this sound like it could need attention, or is it "just" my usual annoying broken nerves as opposed to the tooth's nerve?

Sorry for such a vague question, it is really hard having constant pain and not knowing if it is real or phantom!

 

[Kns]

I can’t say what it might be or what you should do. However, your symptoms sound similar to one of my latest ordeals. I have burning around my last upper molar and I have seen two dentists and my endodontist about it. All say there is no infection. The tooth needs a crown, as it has an old large filling or two. But they all said it wasn’t urgent. I’m waiting to see an orofacial pain dental specialist in late November, but it drives me crazy thinking there’s something clinically wrong. It’s painful but not constant. It’s on the same side of my jaw as the other suspected neuralgia pain. Is this wisdom tooth on the same side as your neuralgia pain? Does anything help reduce the pain? Or make it worse? Coffee sometimes triggers my burning pain (temperature doesn’t matter - lukewarm triggers it), but it also comes on randomly without a trigger. I hope you can find relief and that this isn’t a dental issue and will soon pass!

 

[Judythecat]

Hi, the neuralgia is on the same side, and always presents with the burning pain, so it probably is just that. I am sure my dentist wouldn't have missed something, she's super thorough - it just panics me when the pain moves around from tooth to tooth. I hope you get things sorted too!

 

[Kns]

Did you ever figure out what was causing this? Was it the neuralgia or a new issue? Hoping things have improved!

 

[Judythecat]

Did you ever figure out what was causing this? Was it the neuralgia or a new issue? Hoping things have improved!

Thanks for thinking of me. The pain went away from that spot, so I figured it was "just" the neuralgia. I had a checkup scheduled for last week anyway, and my dentist saw no problems with that tooth (or any other teeth) but said to always ring in if I am worried whether it's a tooth or the neuralgia, and she will slot me in. I am lucky to have a great dentist.

 

[Kns]

Thanks for thinking of me. The pain went away from that spot, so I figured it was "just" the neuralgia. I had a checkup scheduled for last week anyway, and my dentist saw no problems with that tooth (or any other teeth) but said to always ring in if I am worried whether it's a tooth or the neuralgia, and she will slot me in. I am lucky to have a great dentist.

Your dentist sounds amazing! I’m glad it turned out to be nothing wrong with the tooth - although I wish you didn’t have to deal with the neuralgia.