Tooth pain is as terrible as a sinus infection and may seriously affect your daily life. Not only sinus infection leads to congestion and sore throat, but it also affects various parts of the face, especially the mouth. If you are experiencing climatic changes and suddenly start having a toothache that expands gradually to the nearby teeth, there is a chance that it is linked to sinusitis.
Although tooth pain is not necessarily caused due to infection in the sinus, there are certain times when you may suddenly start feeling tooth pain along with other illnesses and cold symptoms. When triggered in the maxillary sinuses behind the cheekbones, the pain is the major cause of sinus tooth pain and is common among adults in kids. Several sinus passages are located behind the cheekbones, and any inflammation in any of the passages results into causing severe pain in the mouth. To determine if the toothache is caused due to sinusitis, you should know more about the sinus pressure and its association with the toothache.
How does a Sinus Infection Cause Tooth Pain?
To determine if the sinus infection is the primary cause behind the pain in your mouth or teeth, you first need to understand the anatomy of the sinus cavity and how it is related to your teeth. The sinus cavity breaks down into maxillary, frontal, sphenoid, and ethmoid sinuses. The maxillary and ethmoid sinuses are located on the left and right sides of the nose. Sphenoid sinuses are present behind the eyes, while the frontal sinuses are located above the eyes, near the forehead. These sinus passages help smooth and filter air passage through the nasal cavity by producing mucus inside. Any inflammation or blockage in any of these passages or mucus build-up may result in a sinus infection.
Once the sinus infection is triggered, it puts pressure on the cavity, and as the upper teeth are closer to the sinus cavity, they also come under the painful effects of sinus infection. The sinus pressure affects the upper molars, and any sudden and gradually expanding pain in this area indicates sinus toothache. Since the gums, teeth, and sinuses share the same nerves, any disturbance or pain in the sinuses also triggers pain in the gums and teeth. The pain even traverses to the jaws through the neural networks spread along the sinuses.
Symptoms of Sinus Toothache
As stated earlier, not every toothache arises from sinusitis; there are a few symptoms to look out for to differentiate your sinus tooth pain from the toothache that is caused due to any dental issue.
- Fever & headache
- Increased the intensity of pain as you move your head
- Blocked nose
- Constantly arising pain in the upper rear teeth and upper molars
- Reduced sense to smell
- Constant pain on the face and especially behind the cheekbones
If you feel any of these symptoms along with the palpitating pain in the teeth, you must rush to your dentist immediately to get your teeth treated the right way.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Tooth Pain from Sinus Pressure
If the sinus pressure is limited to affecting teeth and not expanded to other areas, you may treat it at home through the following ways:
- Topical Decongestants: Since sinus toothache is caused due to the mucus buildup in the sinus cavity that puts pressure on the teeth, it is important to drain the mucus to get some relief. The over-the-counter topical decongestants effectively allow better airflow through the sinus cavity and help you eliminate toothache.
- Head Position while Sleeping: Congestion may result into causing a sinus infection, and your head position has to do a lot with sinus pressure during congestion. To treat sinus pressure effectively, you may need to put two pillows underneath your head to elevate your head and nose level so the mucus draining is faster.
- Warm Compresses: Inflammation on the sinus passage may also lead to causing pain in the upper back teeth; to treat it at home, you may take warm compresses. Treating the sinus areas, especially the bridge of the nose and forehead, with a warm compress helps in relieving swelling.
- Nasal Irrigation: Nasal irrigation through the warm saline solution is another helpful remedy in treating the blocked or congested nasal cavity. Take the warm saline solution in a syringe and squirt it in any of the nostrils while leaning your head over a sink. The saline solution should not be spritzed to reach the throat or the back of the sinus cavity. Nasal irrigation helps clear the nasal cavity by flushing out the discharge blocking the nasal passage.
You may also opt for a few other useful tips to prevent sinus pressure from spreading out.
- You may use a humidifier in your room while sleeping.
- Consume spicy food to relieve mucus buildup inside the nasal cavity.
- Drink a lot of water to liquefy the stored mucus inside the sinuses.
- Keep your head tilted when sleeping.
- Brush the painful teeth gently with fluoride toothpaste.
Medical Treatments to Get Rid of Sinus Tooth Pain
Although sinus tooth pain can be treated at home, if the pain is followed by fever, chills, bad breathing, difficulty in eating or swallowing, and pain in various dental areas, you may consult your doctor to seek medical help. The nasal discharge with pus can be treated with antibiotics or antihistamines. In some cases, tooth extraction may be performed to get relief from the protruding pain. The sinus tooth pain can be constantly throbbing and is enough to take you to the dentist very quickly.
In some cases, if the sinus infection affects your facial features, especially ears, and teeth, and is not controlled anyway, your doctor may suggest you go through the sinus surgery. The best way to avoid sinusitis’s side effects is to get your symptoms checked quickly.
Bottom Line
Remember that a tooth infection, cavity, or gum disease that is caused due to sinus pressure will only worsen with time. Contact your dentist to rule out any other potential causes if your toothache seems to worsen, as it might not end without seeking medical assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you relieve sinus pressure in your teeth?
Steam is used effectively to treat the sinus pressure in the teeth by allowing them to drain. Using a nasal spray is also useful in rinsing the sinuses.
What is the best painkiller for sinus toothache?
To treat toothache that is caused due to sinus can be treated effectively using Advil, Tylenol, Naproxen, and Motrin IB.
How long does sinus pain in teeth last?
It may take one to two weeks for sinus pain in teeth to go away. However, if you feel the severity of pain over time, you should rush to your dentist for a proper examination.
Is it normal for teeth to hurt with sinus pressure?
A sinus infection or sinus pressure may result in toothache. Most of the time, the pain in the upper rear teeth results from sinus pressure, as these teeth are near the sinuses.
What are the four main symptoms of sinusitis?
If you have sinusitis, you may have symptoms including a sinus headache, a blocked nose, a green discharge from the nose coming out, and a reduced sensitivity to smell.
What is the fastest way to get rid of a sinus infection?
Rinsing your nasal passages, keeping your nasal cavity moist, and using a warm compress may help relieve the sinus infection.
What kills a sinus infection naturally?
A vapor rub, saline spray, and OTC medications are highly effective in rapidly and naturally treating sinus infections.
Is lemon good for treating sinus infections?
If you have a sinus infection, you may drink hot water with lemon to treat it. Lemon soothes the infection and is a natural remedy to treat sinusitis at home.
What foods should you avoid with a sinus infection?
Avoid refined sugar, dairy products, tomatoes, cheese, and chocolate if you have sinusitis.
What causes a sinus infection?
Sinus infection is caused when the air-filled cavity in the face, called ‘sinuses,’ have a fluid buildup. This buildup causes viruses and bacteria to grow in the sinuses, which leads to sinus infection.
How is tooth pain linked to sinus infection?
Since the upper teeth are close to the sinus cavities, any inflammation or infection in the sinus might also cause pain to the teeth closer to the cavity. However, it is not necessary that every sort of pain in teeth is linked to sinusitis.
How to find out if my tooth is aching due to sinus pressure?
If the pain is constant and gradually expands to nearby teeth, this is probably due to sinus pressure. However, if the pain is severe and localized to only one tooth, it is just a toothache not caused by sinus pressure.
Is milk good for treating sinus infections?
Milk or any dairy product directly results into causing congestion and nasal inflammation, so it is not recommended to treat sinus infection with milk.
How to differentiate sinus tooth pain and toothache?
Sinus tooth pain is usually felt on the maxillary teeth, constantly throbbing, and increases with head movements and other sinus infection symptoms. On the other hand, a toothache is confined to only one tooth, gets more painful with time, and causes sensitivity while eating cold and hot food.
Can sinus infection affect the eyes?
The sinus passages are located around the eye region, so any infection caused in the sinuses may also expand and affect the eyes. In case of rare, severe complications, it may lead to blindness and blurry vision.
What does tooth pain from the sinus feel like?
Tooth pain, if caused due to sinus infection, is constantly throbbing, and you will feel pressure and discomfort that is directed from the sinuses. The pain worsens when touching the affected teeth area with fingers or tongue.
John Davis is a passionate content writer with a knack for crafting engaging narratives across various subjects. With a keen eye for detail and a love for storytelling, John brings ideas to life through the power of words. His dedication to delivering high-quality and informative content has made him a trusted voice in the digital realm. When he’s not at his desk, you’ll find John exploring new hobbies and seeking inspiration in the world around him.
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