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Pain specifically in one tooth even on medication

Posted , 10 users are following.

erin84393
erin84393

Hey everyone! I was just diagnosed with TN six days ago. I just had my medication (gabapentin) increased from 100mg once a day to 300mg twice a day because the pain was so bad. Now the pain is much more manageable with only a slight tingle or ache on occasion with the exception of one tooth. I had gone to the dentist before getting diagnosed with TN, and they said I could have a "potential" infection in one of my molars on the side that I get my TN pain. They shaved it a little bit to "relieve my bite" since I have an open bite. Now that tooth hurts even with medication, but the pain level is not consistent. Should I head back to the dentist or does this sound like TN pain? It is most sensitive when I eat (hot and cold) or if I press it gently with my tongue. I'm new to all of this so I'm not sure how to tell the difference between normal tooth pain and TN just yet.

Thanks!

2 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • Windy338
    Windy338 erin84393

    Posted

    Erin, I would say do not go back to the dentist!  I have heard story after story of dentists doing procedures on people (including me) not realizing the pain comes from TN not a tooth problem.  Unfortunately these dental procedures only make things worse.  Your pain sounds a lot like mine when I first got TN.  I also made the mistake of thinking it was dental because it seems like it is but it was not.  I am glad you are on Gabapentin. You can always increase the dose but I would advise you to stay away from the dentist.  Good luck!
    • erin84393
      erin84393 Windy338

      Posted

      Hello Windy! Thank you for replying smile Any suggestions on what to do to manage the pain in just that tooth? And have you learned a way to differentiate between actual tooth pain and TN?
    • Windy338
      Windy338 erin84393

      Posted

      Hi Erin,  I think the comments below are very good.  I think you should forget about it being actual tooth pain.  It can take several weeks for these meds to work so I think you should just hang in there for a while.  Also the doseage you are taking can be increased quite a bit.  Any sort of relaxation techniques that you do or learn can really help and try not to worry, althought that may seem impossibile at times!  It will all work out okay eventually.
  • laurel3865
    laurel3865 erin84393

    Posted

    Please do not have dental work on your tooth pain. Everyone with TN starts with an ache in their tooth (teeth) so we think we have a toothache but we don't. It is the beginning of TN pain. The pain will eventually move away from your teeth (tooth) to other areas in your face. I was lucky enough that after 3 visits to my dentist within a 6 months duration that he finally thinks it's TN because after several xrays of each visit, he said my teeth were perfect. I was finally diagnosed after 6 years of wtih TN. Now given that the first 6 years wasn't that bad. The electrical shocks of TN pain came and went fairly quickly then it went into remission for months. Please find a neurologist, he/she will be able to diagnose your more accurately. Good luck.
    • susan33651
      susan33651 laurel3865

      Posted

      Hi, Laurel,

      Sorry, but not everyone with TN has the initial pain in their teeth! My own experience it that I was getting steadily worsening 'headache' pain in my eye. This eventually got so bad (and was extending into the side of my nose and then my teeth/gums and I also started getting the shocks and stabbing pains elsewhere) that no painkiller on Earth would get rid of it so I went to the docs and after describing the pain and the after sensation of spikey-footed spider crawling across my eye, nose, cheek and around my lower jaw he said it was TN. I get all the same pains and sensations on both sides of my head and face at different times. I rarely get solely tooth pain! 

      From the research I've done most TN sufferers do experience the first bout of pains in the teeth and gums, fewer experience the first bouts across the lower jaw and around the ear and fewer still experience the first bouts in the eye. One of my colleagues is an Ophthalmic nurse and she says that many people attend eye clinics or A & E departments with such pains in their eye(s) and are diagnosed with TN.

      Still, your advice about avoiding dentists is good advice and it seems from the posts on this forum that many people visit their dentist and get no joy, relief or correct diagnosis!

      Best wishes, and I hope you remain in remission for a long time.

       

  • Aitchie
    Aitchie erin84393

    Posted

    I was diagnosed in November and yes always the same tooth. I've been to the dentist (it's where I first went before being diagnosed) but luckily my dentist just took xrays and proved all was fine and refused to do anything. smile It's still where I feel my TN pain the most, especially when I am due a dose. I wrote a very similar post when I joined here then as I haven't got a clue how you tell when you have real tooth problems either. All I can say is that the TN meds (I am on tegretol) do make it better after a while usually and the neurologist said had I got a tooth problem too I wouldn't get any relief from the Tegretol. I tend to find a couple of co-codomol when the tooth pain really aches does help a little, even if its from my proding with my tongue and annoying it rather than really helping!  I was also advised by my neurologist that on the Tegretol dose I am on I can have an extra one on days which are bad.  So some good days I take just one tablet and other days three, but mostly consistently on two.  Good luck getting your balance
  • wanganui
    wanganui erin84393

    Posted

    Please Erin on no account have more dental work done! This "toothache" pain is not toothache....look up atypical odontalgia.Wrap an ice pack in cloth and put on the face side with pain- this will settle the nerve somewhat and give you relief.Normal tooth pain would be relieved by taking over the counter pain killer,paracetamol,ibropufen etc.This type of pain will not relieved by these painkillers.I have this type if facial pain and am on pregabalin and building up slowly as I'm very sensitive to meds.Pregabalin works very well for me at higher doses .Hang in there,you may be on medication forever but hey better than pain! Hugs!
  • heather30609
    heather30609 erin84393

    Posted

    Hi Erin, the only additional advice I can give is that you need to space your dose (whatever drug and whatever dose) as evenly as possible throughout 24 hours, and take it strictly on time (I set an alarm on my phone), that was you have a constant level in your blood and that should help to control the pain.  Good luck.  Heather
  • angiegirl
    angiegirl erin84393

    Posted

    I agree with Heather getting your meds evenly spaced out is essential and although you get a bit paranoid and clock watching in case you are late taking a dose to start with.     I have a days meds already made up in a pill carrier and on each compartment lid put the time it's due and have an emergency dose in a small inch size carrier compartment in case you are late home or you loose your pill carrier. Get all thoughts of what if and what will I do if I can't find my pills. Keep the little carrier in your pocket when you go out. I also keep a dose in my car. Silly you may think but to know that you have a dose of meds close at hand is a good feeling to have.  To set the alarm on your phone is a great idea.      I also carry a card that TN,    UK  issue to there members and that is something that you can do. You could join TNA  UK.   Look up the site on line and see what you think.  I was very great full for the chats and advice when I was first diagnosed.  The card is good to carry as it is credit card size and in a full attack you might not be able to get somebody to understand that you are in pain and the card basically says  I have Trigeminal Neuralgia and I am in pain, can you get me to a quiet, safe area till I have recovered.    It's just enough to give you a bit more security when you go out.

    The other thing I agree with is the Dentist visits. Not all Dentists have a good understanding of TN they are aware of it and know what it is but they don't know the traumatic effect and pain that TN patients are in so my advice would be go for chech-ups when you can and at home keep on top of oral hygine and don't use an electric toothbrush as it can set of an attack by vibration but not everybody is the same.

    i hope I have helped a bit.  Take care.

    • angiegirl
      angiegirl

      Posted

      Ps sorry about my spelling and missed words. Hope you can work out what I was saying. 
  • erin84393
    erin84393

    Posted

    Hey guys! Thanks for all of the awesome responses. After my next dose of meds, I definitely noticed the pain was gone from that tooth as soon as the medication kicked in, even if it only lasted a short while. I have a new question though. Do any of you guys experience dull, bruise-like pain when actually touching the nerve? I need to retake my medication in two hours, but I've noticed after having three bouts of breakthrough pain today that the actual nerve feels sore. It isn't triggering any severe breakthrough pain. It just feels like a sore bruise. Anyone experience this before?
    • Windy338
      Windy338 erin84393

      Posted

      Yes I get that from time to time.  I think it is a little bit of ATypical TN.  I try to ignore it or take a couple Advil for it.  It goes a way after a while.  I am just so glad it isn't the electric shocks!
  • alicot
    alicot erin84393

    Posted

    I also went to the dentist and had a tooth drilled but he thought the tooth was fine and had no clue until I saw the dentist who was supposed to fill that tooth. He said it might be TN. I did the research and the pain kept coming back and finally it got so bad I went on a drug that worked well for a few months then stopped. But that gave me time to do the research, find the docs who did surgeries to help, particularly one here who has done many many TN surgeries.  Had radio frequency surgery that works for a few years then I have it done again.  Had three so far.  Tn pain is gone each time but my jaw is a mess. Eating is a joke, can only eat soft things.  And have to hold out my cheek so I don't chew/ bite it, but no TN pain.  A trade off that I consider worth it because I hated the drugs. After neurontin, I had oxcarbazepine, then Lyrica which worked the best but I was a zombie. 
    • Windy338
      Windy338 alicot

      Posted

      Is Radio surgery different from PSR Rhizonomy?  I had Balloon Compression surgery 1 1/2 years ago.  I am trying to decide which one I will need again if the pain reoccurs (which I am told is likely).  I had one bad break-through pain episode but as of now am pain-free.  
    • alicot
      alicot Windy338

      Posted

      Not sure will have to look it up, but the radio frequency is where they stick a needle in your cheek and burn the nerve. It is a simple procedure in the hands of experience.  I went right home, only needed a pain med for a night or two and the just Tylenol for a few more. Then that was it.  The nerve area becomes and stays numb which is a nuisance but no TN, quick recovery and where they stuck the needle in just had a tiny round band aide on it for a day.  The first time HE did it light but the TN came back within a year. Second one lasted two years almost. This one he did hotter so we'll see.  I had a slightly sore throat and one dry nostril from it but that is going away.  Eating is challenging but I have adjusted and like I said, it is a trade off. I said what do I do if it comes back again?

      answer...do it again. They said they did this for a 90 year old so no age limit.

       

    • Windy338
      Windy338 alicot

      Posted

      Thanks for answering!   It sounds like the radio frequency may last longer for you this time.  Do you think the eating will get better?  My cheek was slightly numb right after the Balloon Compression but slowly went away and now it is completely normal.  The doctor told me the same thing about age.  He said he did Balloon therapy every two years on a woman in her 90's.  I hope mine lasts longer.  I have read it can last 10 years, however I read so many different results.  I was curious as to whether radio surgery was the same as PSR which I have read lasts longer than Balloon Compression.      
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