Question:
I have always had chronic problems with canker sores, however this current
problem has never happened before.
A few weeks ago, I noticed that my last upper molar was feeling just a bit
sensitive to bite and cold. I noted that I'd watch it, should it get worse. It
has a filling in it-
Shortly after that, I flew to a conference and when I got there, noticed that
there was now definately pain when chewing and cold sensitivity, but it was
mild.
I flew back home and that night, the above symptoms were more apparent. So I
went to my dentist the next day to check it out. I thought maybe I needed a
root canal
He saw nothing on xray, but upon examination, I felt intense pain when he
probed one area by the tooth. His thought was that I either had a canker sore
developing there or had a sinus infection. (I have severe allergies and chronic
sinus problems). He advised that I take Advil and a decongestant for a day or
two and if it didn't resolve, to see an endodontist.
Well, by that evening, the discomfort from the tooth completely shifted. I was
now having pain in my face and nose instead of in my tooth. I figured he was
right and that I did indeed have a sinus infection.
I called my internist, who couldn't see me until two days later. When I saw
her, she felt it might be sinus and gave me antibiotics with instructions to
see an ENT.
By then, the pain shifted yet again. If I used that tooth to chew, about 5
minutes later, the pain would go up my cheek to my temple, then radiate into my
nose. That went on for a few days, but then I noticed that sure enough, a bunch
of canker sores errupted in the gum area, high above that tooth.
It's now been nearly 2 weeks (which is about how long canker sores last for
me), and there is no longer any tooth or face pain. But that area of the gum,
which is nowhere near the tooth, and also in the crease about the gum where the
top of the cheek meets it, is still feeling a bit tender and raw. For the last
week or so, I've been noticing that I can feel my PULSE in that area. Very
strange. I now have a canker sore on the other side of my mouth in the same
area- like a mirror image.
Now my question: Could a bunch of canker sores cause such weird pain, from the tooth then to the
nose/face? Could I have something else going on and if so, what kind of doctor
or dentist would I see?
I've never had a root canal and am dental phobic, so I'm praying it's not the
tooth. But I've never had canker sores cause such strange symptoms- it's almost
as if the nerves were involved, the way the pain traveled all over. It was
always on one side of the face.
Answer:
From your post, I could only venture an educated guess. The problem originated
shortly after dental treatment to an upper left molar tooth. The area of
tenderness was in the upper left side. You are susceptible to canker sores aka
aphtous ulcers, aphtous stomatitis, recurrent aphthae (RA). Most likely you
were experiencing another (RA) brought on by either; local injection in the
area, dental trauma, or even a cotton roll dry out in this area. This would
explain the fact that the soreness you were experiencing. Trauma is definitely
a trigger or cofactor for RA. The fact that another RA happened on the right
side of your mouth may be either coincidental, or due to stress, psychosomatic
factors, hormonal changes, even food intolerance. BTW the usual length of time
for RA to last varies from 1-4 weeks.
Certainly rechecking with both your dentist and physician are a good idea.
Perhaps a more definitive diagnosis such as sinus problems or endodontic
problems can be ruled out now.
