Differential Diagnosis for Tooth Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Dental caries or tooth decay: This is the most common cause of tooth pain, resulting from bacterial breakdown of tooth enamel.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Pulpitis: Inflammation of the dental pulp, which can be reversible or irreversible, often caused by deep decay, trauma, or infection.
- Periodontal disease: Infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth, which can cause pain, especially when chewing.
- Tooth fracture or crack: A broken tooth can expose the pulp, causing pain, especially with temperature changes or chewing.
- Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums, which can cause pain, especially during brushing or flossing.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Dental abscess: A bacterial infection that can spread to other parts of the face and skull, potentially life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- Trigeminal neuralgia: A chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which can cause severe, shock-like pain in the face, including the teeth.
- Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone, which can occur in the jaw and cause severe pain, swelling, and potentially life-threatening complications.
- Rare diagnoses
- Eruption cyst: A rare condition where a cyst forms over an erupting tooth, causing pain and swelling.
- Odontogenic keratocyst: A rare type of cyst that can occur in the jaw, causing pain, swelling, and potentially destructive to surrounding bone.
- Multiple myeloma: A type of blood cancer that can cause tooth pain, especially if there are lesions in the jawbone.
- Sickle cell disease: A genetic disorder that can cause tooth pain due to vaso-occlusive crises affecting the blood vessels in the jaw.