Hello there,

My grandmother is getting up there in age, but she dislikes going to the hospital and distrusts doctors. She’s in good health, but has started complaining of both a toothache and chest pain. She says that the chest pain is not new, but the toothache is.

Is chest pain along with a toothache an issue when you get older? Is it an emergency? Does she need to go to the doctor, or the dentist?

Travis, from Rochester, MA

 

Hi Travis,

A toothache and chest pain can mean a heart attack. You need to have her checked right away!

In a heart attack, the patient can have pain in the left arm or in the left jaw. Jaw pain is felt in about 10% of the cases. And remember that, due to how nerves travel through the body, everyone’s symptoms can be different. Instead of facial pain, you may experience a toothache, as pain can radiate through the lower left part of jaw, or across the lower arch. Despite your grandmother’s resistance, this is urgent and important.

Dental issues are not limited to the mouth. Good oral health and good cardiovascular health are linked. On the flip side, those with extensive gum disease are at risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Once your grandmother is better, you should take her to see a family dentist regularly. Regular assessments will cut down on the emergency dental trips, as well.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge emergency dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.