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What Causes Severe Pain All Along The Upper Gum Line?
Question: I have severe pain in the roof of my mouth, along the upper gum line. Cold drinks irritate it, but it is now almost constant. It has been accompanied by a runny nose. I am waiting for an MRI scan of sinuses, but have also been told it may be to do with pterygoid inflammation.
I have been eating quite a lot of fermented products - home made pickles and kefir - and after 6 weeks not drinking I hsve started having red wine again. I wonder if my sinuses are reacting to excessive histamines. I have just started cutting out these items from my diet, but I realise it will take a few days for this to have any effect.
The pain is a constant, dull ache. It is not aggravated by touch. He past 3 days have been really bad.
Do you have any comments / suggestions?
I have been eating quite a lot of fermented products - home made pickles and kefir - and after 6 weeks not drinking I hsve started having red wine again. I wonder if my sinuses are reacting to excessive histamines. I have just started cutting out these items from my diet, but I realise it will take a few days for this to have any effect.
The pain is a constant, dull ache. It is not aggravated by touch. He past 3 days have been really bad.
Do you have any comments / suggestions?
Brief Answer:
To check for alveolar nerve compression
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today
Based on your symptoms I would like to rule out inflammation /compression of the superior alveolar nerve.
Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
# how long have you had these symptoms?
# is the pain limited to any one side of your face or on both sides?
# did all the symptoms occur together? Could you mention the sequence and duration of the symptom occurrence?
# does it hurt to chew?
# do you have any fever or headaches, swelling near your jaw, chin, neck?
# do you bite or chew on anything regularly?
# do you have any facial piercings? Or any dental procedures, any facial surgery performed?
# do you play any instrument that applies pressure on your mouth /lips?
# do you have any other medical issues or take any medications?
# do you have dentures? Cavities? Fillings?
# are you in the habit of grinding your teeth?
# do you smoke a pipe?
# are you in the habit of grinding your teeth?
# do you have any allergies or a tendency for it?
# any recent respiratory tract infections?
I recommend :
- a dentist and neurological consult
-MRI of the head (not just sinuses)
Superior alveolar nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve (branch of the trigeminal nerve). The maxillary nerve is the common link for the nose, upper lip, gums, palate. Compression or inflammation anywhere along its path can cause these symptoms.
Pterygoid inflammation is usually limited to one side(affected) and does nor cause running nose. However it needs to be ruled out.
Please try to notice what make it worse. Grinding of teeth can worsen it. Make a conscious effort to keep your jaw relaxed.
Histamines can worsen symptoms but does not cause it. The cause of the pain needs to be treated in order to relieve it.
You may try acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief but it will be temporary.
Please see a dentist and neurologist for ruling out the above.
MRI of the whole head will be required.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
To check for alveolar nerve compression
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today
Based on your symptoms I would like to rule out inflammation /compression of the superior alveolar nerve.
Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
# how long have you had these symptoms?
# is the pain limited to any one side of your face or on both sides?
# did all the symptoms occur together? Could you mention the sequence and duration of the symptom occurrence?
# does it hurt to chew?
# do you have any fever or headaches, swelling near your jaw, chin, neck?
# do you bite or chew on anything regularly?
# do you have any facial piercings? Or any dental procedures, any facial surgery performed?
# do you play any instrument that applies pressure on your mouth /lips?
# do you have any other medical issues or take any medications?
# do you have dentures? Cavities? Fillings?
# are you in the habit of grinding your teeth?
# do you smoke a pipe?
# are you in the habit of grinding your teeth?
# do you have any allergies or a tendency for it?
# any recent respiratory tract infections?
I recommend :
- a dentist and neurological consult
-MRI of the head (not just sinuses)
Superior alveolar nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve (branch of the trigeminal nerve). The maxillary nerve is the common link for the nose, upper lip, gums, palate. Compression or inflammation anywhere along its path can cause these symptoms.
Pterygoid inflammation is usually limited to one side(affected) and does nor cause running nose. However it needs to be ruled out.
Please try to notice what make it worse. Grinding of teeth can worsen it. Make a conscious effort to keep your jaw relaxed.
Histamines can worsen symptoms but does not cause it. The cause of the pain needs to be treated in order to relieve it.
You may try acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief but it will be temporary.
Please see a dentist and neurologist for ruling out the above.
MRI of the whole head will be required.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dear Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you for your detailed answer.
On and off, I have had this and similar pains for about 3-4 years.
Left side only. It moves about. Today, it is in the lower jaw.
For the past week or so, it has been almost constant, varying from 2/10 to brief spells, maybe a minute or two, of 7/10. These worst episodes tend to occur while eating, even very soft food. Having said that, I had breakfast about 30 minutes ago, and the pain is now very bad. Mainly in lower jaw, but it radiates up the left side of my face.
The chewing motion itself does not hurt.
Slight headache occasionally.
No piercings, no musical instruments. No regular biting etc. Don't smoke. No known allergies. No respiratory infections. No grinding.
I have had root canal work. Also some fillings. The dentist does not know what the problem is. He referred me to the Eastman pain clinic.
I have mild glaucoma, left eye. Using Latanoprot drops.
Taking Naproxen for pain in right arm. 2x500mg/day.
I am acctuallly on holiday at a spa at present. I noticed that swimming (water about 35 degrees cent.) seemed to give immediate relief, short term.
Were I not on holiday, I would be unable to work whole this pain is this bad.
Can I take other painkillers alongside the naproxen?
Might coming off long term Prozac be involved?
Thank you
Thank you for your detailed answer.
On and off, I have had this and similar pains for about 3-4 years.
Left side only. It moves about. Today, it is in the lower jaw.
For the past week or so, it has been almost constant, varying from 2/10 to brief spells, maybe a minute or two, of 7/10. These worst episodes tend to occur while eating, even very soft food. Having said that, I had breakfast about 30 minutes ago, and the pain is now very bad. Mainly in lower jaw, but it radiates up the left side of my face.
The chewing motion itself does not hurt.
Slight headache occasionally.
No piercings, no musical instruments. No regular biting etc. Don't smoke. No known allergies. No respiratory infections. No grinding.
I have had root canal work. Also some fillings. The dentist does not know what the problem is. He referred me to the Eastman pain clinic.
I have mild glaucoma, left eye. Using Latanoprot drops.
Taking Naproxen for pain in right arm. 2x500mg/day.
I am acctuallly on holiday at a spa at present. I noticed that swimming (water about 35 degrees cent.) seemed to give immediate relief, short term.
Were I not on holiday, I would be unable to work whole this pain is this bad.
Can I take other painkillers alongside the naproxen?
Might coming off long term Prozac be involved?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Try suggested remedies. Have an MRI head to check for cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and clarifications.
# which side did you have the root canal treatment? How many? Did the symptoms occur after this?
# why do you have pain in your right arm?
# how long have you been taking naproxen?
# how long were you on prozac? Did you come off it gradually? When did you stop taking it?
Endorphins are the body's natural opiates. These are released when we exercise, are happy, do sporting activities, eat certain foods like chocolate, rice, beans.
Ginseng, the smell of vanilla extract has also been shown to boost endorphin release and help elevate mood and reduce pain.
-try warm baths with lavender oil at home.
-avoid putting food /chewing in the left side of your mouth for 5 days to see if the pressure applied on the teeth on that side is causing the pain.
You may continue to chew on the right. Have soft food and avoid cool drinks as well during this 5 day period.
Please get back to me with the above requested clarifications.
I do not think that the withdrawal of prozac is causing this.
Taking additional pain medications is advisable only for a short period (about 3-5 days). The underlying cause must me treated. As of now I do suggest additional pain killers.
Try the above mentioned natural remedies.
I suggest you get the MRI done and then we can decide how to go about getting rid of the pain.
Taking naproxen on a long term also increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and stomach ulcers. I'll wait for your replies to advise further
Sorry for the delay in replying.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Try suggested remedies. Have an MRI head to check for cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and clarifications.
# which side did you have the root canal treatment? How many? Did the symptoms occur after this?
# why do you have pain in your right arm?
# how long have you been taking naproxen?
# how long were you on prozac? Did you come off it gradually? When did you stop taking it?
Endorphins are the body's natural opiates. These are released when we exercise, are happy, do sporting activities, eat certain foods like chocolate, rice, beans.
Ginseng, the smell of vanilla extract has also been shown to boost endorphin release and help elevate mood and reduce pain.
-try warm baths with lavender oil at home.
-avoid putting food /chewing in the left side of your mouth for 5 days to see if the pressure applied on the teeth on that side is causing the pain.
You may continue to chew on the right. Have soft food and avoid cool drinks as well during this 5 day period.
Please get back to me with the above requested clarifications.
I do not think that the withdrawal of prozac is causing this.
Taking additional pain medications is advisable only for a short period (about 3-5 days). The underlying cause must me treated. As of now I do suggest additional pain killers.
Try the above mentioned natural remedies.
I suggest you get the MRI done and then we can decide how to go about getting rid of the pain.
Taking naproxen on a long term also increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and stomach ulcers. I'll wait for your replies to advise further
Sorry for the delay in replying.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. REMY KOSHY
Answered by
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