Differential Diagnosis for Shooting Pains into Jaw with Teeth Brushing
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Dentinal hypersensitivity: This condition is characterized by sharp, sudden pains in the teeth, often triggered by hot, cold, sweet, or sour stimuli, including the mechanical stimulus of brushing. The pain is usually localized to one or more teeth and is due to the exposure of dentinal tubules, allowing stimuli to reach the pulp and cause pain.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Gingivitis or periodontitis: Inflammation of the gums can lead to sensitivity and pain, especially during brushing. The pain might radiate to the jaw.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: While TMJ disorders more commonly present with jaw pain, clicking, or locking, some patients may experience radiating pain that could be exacerbated by the action of brushing teeth.
- Trigeminal neuralgia: A condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. If the branch that supplies the jaw is affected, brushing teeth could trigger shooting pains into the jaw.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Dental abscess or infection: An abscess can cause severe, persistent pain that might be exacerbated by brushing. Missing this diagnosis could lead to serious complications, including the spread of infection.
- Oral cancer: Though rare, oral cancer can present with pain, especially if it involves the nerves. It's crucial to investigate any persistent or unexplained pain in the mouth or jaw.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): MS can cause trigeminal neuralgia, leading to severe facial pain, including the jaw. However, this would be part of a broader clinical picture involving other neurological symptoms.
- Glossopharyngeal neuralgia: A rare condition involving the glossopharyngeal nerve, which can cause sharp, stabbing pains in the tongue, throat, ear, and jaw, potentially triggered by activities like brushing teeth.
- Eagle syndrome: Characterized by an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament, which can cause sharp, shooting pains in the face and jaw, sometimes triggered by swallowing or other movements, including possibly the action of brushing teeth.