What causes toothache accompanied by ringing in the ears?
Ear ringing accompanied by toothache may be tinnitus caused by inflammation and infection around the teeth.
The teeth and ears originate from the same nerve—the trigeminal nerve. When tooth pain causes a buzzing sensation in the ear, it could be due to acute pulpitis. Acute pulpitis is generally caused by inflammation of the dental nerve. Since parts of the ear are innervated by the trigeminal nerve, when acute pulpitis occurs, patients may experience severe tooth pain. The intense pain can stimulate the trigeminal nerve, leading to symptoms such as buzzing in the ear, and sometimes even pain in the head, neck, or temporomandibular area. It is recommended to visit a hospital to determine the exact cause. If diagnosed with pulpitis, treatment usually involves removing the necrotic dental nerve under a doctor's guidance to relieve symptoms.
In addition, dental pain can also occur when ear diseases affect the dental nerves. If the aforementioned symptoms do not improve effectively within a short period, timely medical evaluation—such as otoscopy or imaging—is necessary to identify the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment, avoiding delays that could worsen the condition.