Differential Diagnosis for Tooth Pain when Walking

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Tooth decay or dental caries: This is the most common cause of tooth pain and can be exacerbated by changes in pressure or temperature, such as those experienced when walking.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Gum recession or periodontal disease: These conditions can cause teeth to become sensitive, especially to changes in pressure or temperature, leading to pain when walking.
  • Cracked tooth: A cracked tooth can be sensitive to pressure and temperature changes, causing pain when walking or chewing.
  • Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause referred pain to the teeth, especially in the upper jaw, which may worsen when walking due to increased sinus pressure.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Temporal arteritis: Although rare, this condition can cause jaw claudication (pain when chewing or walking) and is a medical emergency due to the risk of blindness if left untreated.
  • Trigeminal neuralgia: A rare condition that causes sudden, severe facial pain, which can be triggered by walking or other activities.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Eruption of a wisdom tooth: In rare cases, the eruption of a wisdom tooth can cause pain that worsens with walking or other activities.
  • Osteonecrosis of the jaw: A rare condition that can cause jaw pain, especially in patients taking certain medications, which may worsen with walking or other activities.