Certain chemotherapies (such as vinca alkaloids like vincristine and vinblastine) may result in neuropathies and mimic a toothache.
Phantom Tooth Pain, Explained
Yes, that’s right. Certain chemotherapies can actually result in phantom tooth pain in teeth that have no evidence of dental decay and in areas of the mouth with no evidence of dental infection. Patients may complain of throbbing lower jaw pain. These chemotherapeutic agents are also associated with peripheral neuropathy (tingling and loss of sensation of the fingers and toes), and this phantom tooth pain is actually the neuropathy manifesting in the jaw. Nonetheless, the neuropathy manifests differently and instead of the sensation of pins and needles, the sensation of a toothache arises.
What To Do
This means it is extremely important not only to visit a dentist for a thorough examination to rule out any evidence of dental decay (cavities) or infection but also to tell your dentist if you have a history of chemotherapy and if so which chemotherapeutic agents you are taking, if you know them. The phantom toothache usually resolves within a week of completing the offending therapy.
Further Reading
- Little, James W. Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient. St. Louis: Mosby, 2002. Print.
- Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: What the Dental Team Can Do. NIH, n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.
- “Oral Complications of Chemotherapy and Head/Neck Radiation (PDQ®).” National Cancer Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.