Can A Sinus Infection Make Your Teeth And Gums Hurt
A tooth pain is caused by an infection in any of the sinuses, according to the British Dental Journal. It is likely that gums, teeth, and sinuses will have similar nerves, which will cause such a problem. Pain is transmitted to the brain by these nerves. The nerves in the neck and back are affected by sinus inflammation caused by an infection.
What To Do If You Have A Persistent Toothache:
If your tooth pain persists after trying the previous methods, we highly recommend you contact and schedule a visit with a dentist. Toothaches due to a sinus infection can last around 7-10 days, so be sure to contact them if your symptoms persist longer than this timeframe. There may be other underlying causes for your teeth pain. Your dentist will be able to identify the root of the issue and provide you with the proper treatment for your specific situation.
Contact us at Noll Family Dentistry with any questions or to schedule an appointment. We want to get you back to being pain-free as soon as possible!
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Sinus Infection Tooth Pain
Sinus tooth pain is fairly common, according to dental experts at the Mayo Clinic. Sinus infection tooth pain occurs when the fluid that builds up in the sinus cavities during a sinus infection puts pressure on your upper teeth, which are close to the maxillary sinuses.If you have sinus tooth pain, you may need to see a doctor to manage your sinus condition.
Sinus infection tooth pain might occur suddenly and usually feels like a dull ache, like something pressing down on your teeth. Or you might notice tooth sensitivity when chewing. Sinus infection tooth pain also can occur if you dont have a full-blown sinus infection. You might notice tooth pain similar to sinus infection tooth pain if you simply have a bad head cold and sinus congestion rather than a full-blown sinus infection.Some conditions that can cause pain in the upper teeth may be confused with sinus tooth pain. Even if you think your tooth pain is related to your sinuses and should be treated by a doctor, see a dentist to rule out dental problems including:
- Tooth Damage: A fractured or decayed tooth near the sinus cavity has similar symptoms to sinus tooth pain.
- Tooth Grinding: Tooth grinding can cause pain similar to sinus tooth pain.
- Gum Disease: The early stages of gum disease can also cause pain similar to sinus tooth pain.
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The Identification Between Toothache And Sinus Tooth Pain
The doctor through the symptoms diagnosed that the pain was due to a toothache or a sinus infection. Following are the symptoms that discriminate between these two pains
The signs of toothache caused by sinus are:
- Affects your sense of smell
- Your one nostril will become blocked and stuffed, and sometimes one side of the nose is running.
Now, the signs that are different from sinusitis could show a dental problem. The toothache signs are:
- Swelling of the face and gum near the affected tooth.
- You are not only suffering from pain, but also from sensitivity.
- Whenever you eat something cold or hot, you feel a sense of the temperature of that particular tooth.
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How To Relieve Sinus
Its always best to see your dentist if youre experiencing any type of tooth pain. He or she will assess the situation to ensure your own diagnosis is correct. Your dentist may also be able to prescribe medication to mitigate the pain and discomfort.
In the interim, here is what you can do to relieve tooth pain from sinus pressure:
- Stay hydrated and drink lots of water
- Eat foods that are known to reduce inflammation, as thats largely the cause of sinus-induced tooth pain.
- Add Calcium and Vitamin C to your diet Calcium-rich foods, such as broccoli, asparagus, leafy greens, and bean sprouts, can counteract histamines, which are inflammation-causing elements. Dont skimp on the orange juice or other citrusy foods that are packed with the power of the essential Vitamin C.
- Eat food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, like the ones found in salmon, are also great for combating inflammation.
- Breathe in steam with hot, moist air. This will open your nasal passages and relieve sinus pressure.
- Rinse your sinuses with a saline solution. Saline solutions clear any discharge and moisture the sinuses.
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Is Your Toothache A Sign Of Sinusitis
Toothaches can range in presentation from mild to throbbing pain, to affecting an entire side of your face. There are many causes of a toothache including decay, gum disease, or other conditions in the mouth. However, a lesser-known, yet not uncommon reason for a toothache is the presence of sinusitis.
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What Is A Sinus Infection
There are a lot of different cavities in our skulls. Our sinuses are a series of compartments, located above and below our eyes, and behind the nose, that warm and moisturize air as we breathe. The mucus within catches any wayward germs, and for the most part, they keep themselves clean. Occasionally, conditions can change enough to allow for the growth of bacteria. This is when we get a sinus infection.
Can Allergies Make Your Gums Hurt
Nasal congestion makes it hard to breathe through the nose. When our mouth dries out from mouth-breathing, it causes gum irritation. The saliva that normally coats the teeth and all of the soft tissue in the mouth is dried out from mouth breathing and taking antihistamines and can contribute to swollen gums that bleed easily. The drying of the mouth can also allow more bacteria to grow on the teeth, adding to the inflammation of the gum tissue.
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Can A Toothache From A Sinus Infection Indicate A Dental Issue
If you pay attention to your oral hygiene, you know that unexpected dental pain usually means its time to make a dentist appointment. However, a sinus infection is one of those rare cases where it may not be obvious whether you should see a dentist or not. How can you tell if tooth pain is caused by a sinus infection, a cavity, or both?
In order to decide whether to see the dentist or not, its important to pay attention to the symptoms youre experiencing. For example, if you have a severe cold accompanied by jaw pain but both resolve themselves within a matter of days, you probably dont need to worry about contacting your dentist. However, if your dental pain remains long after you recover from your sinus infection, its a good idea to make an appointment sooner rather than later.
Its also important to note that dental symptoms can be caused by sinus infections, but persistent sinusitis can also be caused by dental issues. If you have unexplained aches in your teeth, unresolved sinus issues could be at play, and vice versa. If you have frequent sinus infections, let your dentist know. They may request an x-ray in order to look for dental issues that could be caused by your sinuses. Theyll also be able to check for gum disease, cavities, and other problems that could be making the issue worse. If they are unable to find a connection, they may refer you to a sinus specialist for further investigation.
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How Can I Relieve The Pressure In My Teeth
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Sinus Toothache Symptoms And Causes
If you have both a sinus infection and tooth pain, the first thing you need to know is this: A sinus toothache is caused by the same inflammation of your sinuses that causes sinus headaches, the combination of sinusitis and tinnitus, and sinusitis and hearing loss.
Sinus infections can cause swelling and inflammation within the sinus cavities located along your jawline. When this occurs, your back upper teeth may begin to hurt due to the inflammation and increased pressure.
Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection Include:
- Scratchy throat
- Pain in the forehead, around the eyes, in teeth and jaws
So how can a tooth cause a sinus infection
Our lower sinus, called the Maxillary sinus, sits very close to the upper jaw. So close in fact, that if there is an abscess in the teeth or gums, it can actually expand into the sinus. An abscess is a pocket of infection, caused by a trapped food particle, or a dying tooth nerve. If an abscess reaches your sinus cavity, the infection can spill over into the sinuses, causing a sinus infection.
What do I do if I have an abscess causing a sinus infection?
This is a battle that must be fought on two fronts. Your dentist will need to take the necessary steps to treat the abscess. Oftentimes, antibiotics will be prescribed to reduce swelling and curb the infection in the abscess. Depending on its location and type, the abscess may need to be drained or removed. If the abscess started within a tooth, a root canal will be required. If left too long, the entire tooth may need to be removed.
Once the abscess is taken care of, youll be able to see your primary care physician to get the sinus infection taken care of. However, with the source of the infection removed, you may find that you can beat the rest of it on your own. Your dentist will go over everything with you!
Do you suffer from chronic sinus infections? There may be a deeper issue. Come see Dr. Chauvin to make sure the cause isnt tooth related!
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Throat Irritation And Cough
As discharge from your sinuses drains down the back of your throat, it can cause irritation, especially over a long period of time. This can lead to a persistent and annoying cough, which can be worse when lying down to sleep or first thing in the morning after getting up from bed.
It can also make sleeping difficult. Sleeping upright or with your head elevated can help reduce the frequency and intensity of your coughing.
You Have A Tooth Fracture
Just like a broken bone, a crack in your tooth can create pain. A fractured tooth can occur due to something simple like biting into a hard candy or something more serious like a sports injury, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Tooth grinding and clenching also increase your chances for a fracture.
Tooth fractures have a wide range of severity based on the size and depth of the fissure, Dr. Calnon says. Many teeth with superficial fractures cause no symptoms.
But as a fracture grows, it can become painful. This happens when either a piece of the tooth breaks off or neighboring pieces of the same tooth are forced in opposite directions when biting down, he says.
Fix it: To fix a tooth fracture, your dentist may place a filling or a crown on the tooth. In some cases, if the fracture extends deeper into the tooth, it may require a root canal or extraction, Dr. Calnon says.
Tip
Visit your dentist right away if you fracture your tooth. In the meantime, you can ease pain by using an ice pack, rinsing your mouth with salt water and taking over-the-counter pain medicine, per the Cleveland Clinic.
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What Are The Best Ways To Treat A Painful Tooth
Painful teeth calm down quickly once you treat the underlying problem. Sinus infections may be treated with home care strategies, such as using steam and avoiding allergens. Antibiotics and decongestants are useful for treating infections that dont respond to self-care methods.
Pain that has a dental origin will require treatment such as dental fillings, crowns, or root canals. Extractions are a last resort method that is used when other treatments are not possible.
Tooth pain from both sinus infections and dental problems is often severe and unrelenting. In both cases, the problem can rapidly get worse if you dont seek treatment.
Identifying the source of a toothache is tricky. It is best to get your dental and sinus health evaluated by a professional. Whether you have a sinus infection or a tooth problem, early diagnosis, and treatment help you find comfort faster.
Signs A Sinus Infection Might Be Causing Your Toothache
People with sinus disease can commonly have tooth pain, said Eugene Chang, MD, an otolaryngologist at BannerUniversity Medical Center Tucson Campus.
Look for these telltale signs that a sinus problem may be driving your pain:
- You have other sinus symptoms besides a toothache.Isolated tooth pain by itself without other sinus symptoms is usually not related to sinus disease, Dr. Chang said. Sinus symptoms could be a runny or stuffy nose, facial pressure, colored nasal discharge, headache, post-nasal drip, cough, sore throat, or a change in your sense of smell.
- Your toothache is in the back of your upper teeth. Your cheek sinuses, also called maxillary sinuses, contact the roots of your upper molars. So, youre more likely to notice a sinus-related toothache there. Toothaches in your bottom teeth or front teeth are less likely to be sinus related.
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How To Relieve Sinus Toothache Pain:
The effects of sinus toothaches are known to escalate due to certain types of movement, due to shifting sinus pressure. Because of this, one of the best ways to relieve pain is to limit movement. Pain may ease when sitting in a stationary position or lying down. There are also a few other remedies that you can try before opting for traditional treatment.
Here are some things you can try to ease pain:
- Flush Out Your Sinuses Using premixed over-the-counter saline solution can help out your sinuses by moisturizing them and clearing out allergens in your nasal pathway. You shouldnt be too reliant on these products, as they can cause congestion to rebound and be even worse than before if used for more than a short timeframe.
- Drink More Fluids Water especially is essential in relieving the severity of a sinus infection. When you are properly hydrated pressure is released and drippage will be reduced.
- Hot Liquids and Steam Along with water, drinks like hot tea and eating soup can help greatly comfort the affected areas. Hot showers are also very helpful in a similar way due to the steam releasing pressure and opening up your nasal cavity.
Can Seasonal Allergies Make Your Teeth Hurt
Our body produces more mucous to help clear out allergens from the environment. This excess of mucous causes sinus pressure to press against the nerves of our upper molars. This can mimic toothache symptoms. If your symptoms do not improve by taking decongestants or antihistamines, you should call our emergency dental clinic in Lincoln, NE to determine the cause of your symptoms.
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Contact West U Family Dental Today
If you have tooth pain that you suspect might be sinus related, give us a call at WestU Family Dental. We will be happy to painlessly perform a dental exam and digital x-rays to determine the cause of your pain. Dont suffer through that pain any longer find out the cause so you can get the treatment you need. And remember, if you are nervous about visiting the dentist we offer various levels of sedation to keep your anxiety at a minimum while you see to the health of your teeth.
Can Allergies Make Your Bottom Teeth Hurt
It is not common, but the amount of pressure and swelling that occurs from sinus congestion can press against facial nerves, causing toothaches of the lower teeth. Sometimes patients will report that their discomfort seems to move if they move their head from side to side or bend over. If you are experiencing visible swelling of the lower jaw or a sharp, intense toothache, this is typically not related to sinus problems and should be evaluated by an emergency dental clinic in Lincoln, NE as soon as possible.
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Tooth Pain Caused By A Blocked Sinus Its Explained In The Anatomy
First, we need to explain exactly what a sinus is and what it does. Your sinuses are empty cavities in your skull that are filled with air. Their general purpose is to warm the outside air before it reaches your lungs. Your sinuses are lined with a mucous membrane, a place where both friendly and unfriendly bacteria live.
This membrane can become inflamed and infected. If this happens, it can block the nasal passage, and the passage can become packed with mucous. Bacteria can then become trapped, and it will multiply and cause a sinus infection. This is painful and often results in a bad taste in your mouth.
There are a few different types of sinuses in your head. Your maxillary sinuses are located inside your cheekbones, above your upper jaw. If you have an infection in your maxillary sinus, pressure starts to build and then it presses down on your jaw bones.
It makes sense that when you have a sinus toothache, it usually affects your upper back teeth. These are closer to your maxillary sinuses and are more prone to problems.
The roots of the pain? It is the roots of the upper molar teeth! They can be very close to the floor of your sinus cavity . The nerves of your roots will be affected by the swelling and pressure. Even though your teeth might be in good health, you will experience sensitive teeth. This is a sinus toothache, and it can be very painful. The longer the blocked sinus lasts, the greater the tooth pain.