Toothache Or Sinus Problem
As winter temperatures settle into the Hutchinson area, so does the prevalence of sinus problems or Sinusitis. One of the symptoms of a sinusitis is a toothache. In most instances, these perceived toothaches involve the back teeth. Common tooth symptoms of sinusitis include temperature sensitivity and pain experienced when walking or jumping. Other sinusitis symptoms include pressure, facial pain, headache, stuffy or runny nose, loss of smell, cough, and congestion. If the sinusitis is acute, you may also experience a fever, bad breath, and fatigue. An acute sinusitis may last several weeks while a chronic sinusitis may last a few months.
Why does sinusitis cause toothaches? The floor of the sinuses practically lays across the roots of your upper back teeth. So if you think about any inflammation or pressure building up in those sinus spaces, that pressure will be put on the root tips. The nerves of your teeth exit out those root tips and pressure on those nerves can cause your teeth to become hypersensitive and painful. This is how sinus infections can cause toothaches that really arent tooth in origin.
Children may also develop a sinusitis. Sinus problems in little ones can be caused by allergies, pacifier use, or drinking from a bottle while lying on their back. A childs environment such as being in daycare and catching illnesses from other children or being in the presence of smoke can also lead to a sinusitis in children.
Can Sinus Pressure Cause Toothaches
It started late last night, right before you went to bed: a dull ache in your upper left molars. It wasnt super bad, so you were able to fall asleep, but this morning, youre definitely in pain. Whats causing the toothache and is there anything you can do about it?
Of course, there are many common and obvious causes for toothaches, but today were going to talk about one that might be a little less well known: sinus infections. Yep. A sinus infection can cause a toothache. The reason this happens is pretty straightforward. The sinus passages that run through your cheeks are actually housed in your upper jawbone. When those passages become infected and inflamed the swelling puts pressure on the roots and nerve endings of your teeth and can cause pain.
So the connection between sinus infections and toothaches is pretty straightforward, but how can you know if sinus pressure is the cause of your toothache or if youre dealing with something else? And if sinus trouble is the source of your pain, what can you do about it? If you have other sinusitis symptoms, if you had a head cold in the past couple of weeks, or if youre experiencing seasonal congestion because of allergies, theres a high likelihood your tooth pain is related to your sinus issues.
Heres a couple of ideas of what you can do:
You Frequently Throw Up
When you throw up, your stomach acid can get on your teeth. When this happens frequently, that strong acid can do a lot of damage to your teeth. Some conditions that are associated with frequent vomiting are gastroesophageal reflux disease , chronic alcoholism, pregnancy, and bulimia. The damage that throwing up too much does to your teeth can cause tooth pain and other issues. If you think this may be the cause of your tooth pain, see your doctor to discuss treatment options.
Read Also: Cancer In Sinus Cavity Symptoms
Can Gums Bleed From Ragweed Allergies
Drying of the soft tissues in the mouth during mouth-breathing with a stuffy nose can cause plaque to form more quickly on the teeth. Saliva naturally helps keep our teeth clean, so when the mouth is dry this creates an area where more plaque can accumulate along the gum-line. This contributes to gingivitis and gum irritation.
What To Do When You Have A Sinus Infection
A mild sinus infection isn’t a cause for concern, although you should keep an eye on it in case it worsens. Bed rest, hydration, moist air, and painkillers can keep sinus toothaches and headaches at bay. If the infection doesn’t clear up, it’s time to visit a specialist like Dr. Kumra.
She deals with sinus issues regularly, so you can trust your care to her. If you have a sinus infection, Dr. Kumra can identify the problem and give you the targeted care you need. To contact us at ENT New York, call 646-859-6136 or book an appointment using our online tool.
You Might Also Enjoy…
Read Also: Saline Spray Good For Sinus Infection
Understanding The Connection Between Sinus Infections And Tooth Pain
If youve ever suffered from any type of tooth pain, you know how uncomfortable it can be. There are multiple reasons one can suffer from tooth pain. Some of the more common ailments include cavities, a cracked tooth or tooth sensitivity resulting from cold or hot foods. A lesser known cause of tooth pain is a sinus infection. The addition of sinus infection tooth pain caused by pressure in your nasal cavity can be all the more distressing if youre unaware of this side effect. If you suffer from sinus infection tooth pain, heres some information to be aware of.
What are sinus infections?Sinusitis, more commonly referred to as a sinus infection, occurs when the nasal passage cavities become swollen and inflamed. The sinuses are unable to drain which allows a mucus build-up. Its usually caused by the common cold but can also result from allergies. Once the sinuses are blocked, the moist environment created by an excess of mucus creates a fertile ground for infections. Another symptom that could affect your oral health is bad breath from postnasal drip.
How can I ease the pain?In addition to seeing your doctor who might prescribe an antibiotic for pain relief you can try some home remedies as well:
Do you have any questions about sinus infections and tooth pain? Call Westermeier Martin Dental care to schedule an appointment with your dentist .
Our Treatments For Cervical Instability And Related Challenges Of Visionregenerative Medicine Injections
Part of our treatment program is a focus on cervical spine ligaments. The ligaments are the strong connective tissue that holds the vertebrae in place. When you have a slipped disc, a pinched nerve, a herniated disc or nerve, the underlying problem is that the vertebrae are compressing these structures and causing pain and possible neurologic type symptoms. When the cervical spine instability is great enough or even focused enough on a certain neck segment, it can also cause compression on the arteries and veins that travel through and around the cervical vertebrae.
Prolotherapy is an injection technique that stimulates the repair of unstable, torn, or damaged ligaments. In 2014, we published a comprehensive review of the problems related to weakened damaged cervical neck ligaments in The Open Orthopaedics Journal. We are honored that this research has been used in at least 6 other medical research papers by different authors exploring our treatments and findings and cited, according to Google Scholar, in more than 40 articles. In this research, we suggested that:
- In the upper cervical spine , this can cause symptoms such as nerve and tendon irritation and vertebrobasilar insufficiency with associated vertigo, tinnitus, dizziness, facial pain, arm pain, migraine headaches, and vision problems.
An introduction to the treatment is best observed in the video below. A patient with cervical neck instability is treated with Prolotherapy using a Digital Motion X-ray machine.
Also Check: How To Clear My Sinus Infection
How To Treat An Intense Toothache
To treat a toothache, the patient must reduce the pressure on the nerve of the tooth by reducing the pressure and fluid in the maxillary sinus. Taking a cold medicine that contains a decongestant will reduce the inflammation and fluid production in the nose and maxillary sinus. Just like any cold symptom, it will take a few days for a toothache to disappear.
A patient should contact our emergency dental clinic if a toothache does not disappear with cold or allergy symptoms. A toothache that is sharp or waking you up at night, warns a dental visit in an emergency dental clinic in Lincoln, NE as soon as possible. These characteristics are not typically seen with sinus toothaches and will likely need different treatment, such as a root canal treatment or removing an infected tooth.
Sinus Infection Side Effects
One of the possible side effects from a sinus infection is that you may start breathing through your mouth. Mouth breathing promotes a dry mouth, and a dry mouth can increase your risk of dental health problems. Saliva in the mouth helps digest food and wash away the bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gingivitis.If you notice signs of dry mouth after sinus infection tooth pain, try the following:
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse daily.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Try to breathe through your nose as much as possible.
Also Check: Can You Fight A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics
Extra Durable Custom Night Guard
$109.99
Item Number SWSPRO Manufacturer Sparkling White Smiles Dental Lab Rating Product Description 3mm is the Recommended Standard Thickness for a Professionally made Custom Night Guard Our Custom Teeth Night Guards are BPA, Latex and Phthalate Free MOST RECOMMENDED PROFESSIONAL CUSTOM NIGHTRead More
Is Your Pain A Sinus Infection Or A Toothache
Is it a toothache or a sinus infection?
Youve woken up to a throbbing feeling in your upper jaw, and you are pretty sure its a toothache or a sinus infection. Should you make an appointment with your doctor or your dentist? Because the roots of the upper teeth are often close to the sinus, the origin of the pain can be confusing you and making you unsure of whats happening. Here are some considerations that might help you decide which healthcare professional you need to see.
Referred Pain
The reason youre not sure where your pain is coming from is because the nerves in the face are situated so close to one another. Sometimes, an ear infection, a migraine headache, or even a problem in the lower jaw can cause pain in what feels like an upper tooth. Pain doesnt usually cross the midline of the face, but anything going on on the left side of your face or head can cause pain in the teeth on the left . Its not uncommon for a patient to go to their primary care physician for what turns out to be a tooth problem or for someone to go to their dentist for what ends up being a sinus or ear infection. So if you are in pain, make your best guess and go to whichever provider you think is the right one if youre mistaken, youll simply be referred to the other.
Sinus Infection Symptoms
Toothache Symptoms
Don’t Miss: Ways To Clear Sinus Pressure
What Are The Signs Of Sinus
Tooth pain that arises from the sinuses often comes with other symptoms. A stuffy or runny nose is a common symptom that might occur if you have a sinus infection. Severe infections can cause a fever, postnasal drip, and fatigue.
The pain from a sinus infection might change depending upon your position. Bending over sometimes changes sinus pressure in a way that increases the tooth pain. People with sinus-related pain may notice that their cheekbones ache if they are pressed.
Why Sinus Headache Is A Diagnostic Challenge: Similarities And Differences
Another common feature of allergic rhinitis and migraine is their seasonal exacerbation in the spring, fall, and summer months as a result of allergic triggers . A study from South Korea conducted between 2005 and 2013 showed that 13.5 % of migraine patients reported seasonal exacerbations . Moreover, the costs of migraine treatment are higher during allergy season , because many people with migraine experience an increase in headache intensity and frequency due to coexisting allergic rhinitis . Furthermore, ocular and nasal symptoms in allergic rhinitis may vary from day to day, depending on the allergen concentration in the atmosphere .
To avoid a misdiagnosis, it is important to realize that the pain characteristics of each condition may differ. Patients describe sinus-related pain as dull and pressure-like usually bilateral located in the maxillary, glabellar, periorbital, or frontal regions of the skull and worse in the morning. Those with migraine, on the other hand, usually describe the pain as throbbing or stabbing, mostly unilateral, moderate to severe in intensity, located in the temporal or retro-orbital area, and not worse during a particular time of day .
Read Also: Is Zyrtec Good For Sinus Pressure
Read Also: What Is Good For Sinus Inflammation
When You Should See A Doctor
It is recommended to come in for treatment for tooth pain if you experience a toothache that:
- Lasts for a long amount of time
- Doesnt go away once your sinus infection has cleared up
- Causes extreme discomfort
Your dentist will be able to determine the root of the pain as well as how it can be treated.
Pain Or Pressure In Your Sinuses
Facial pain is a common symptom of sinusitis. You have several different sinuses above and below your eyes, as well as behind your nose. Any of these air-filled cavities can hurt when you have a sinus infection.
Inflammation and swelling can cause your sinuses to ache with dull pressure. This is because inflammation may alter the typical path of mucus from the nose to the back of the throat.
You may feel pain in:
- your forehead
- on either side of your nose
- in your upper jaws and teeth
- between your eyes
This may lead to a headache. Headaches caused by sinus infections can occur where the sinuses are or in other places.
Also Check: Sphenoid Sinus Infection Neck Pain
What Other Conditions Can Cause A Toothache
Toothaches are caused by dental issues that require treatment too. A tooth may hurt briefly in response to cold or heat if it has a cavity. Fractured teeth tend to respond in the same way. A broken tooth might feel more painful if you bite down on something chewy or hard.
Severe tooth pain is a symptom of an infected tooth or one with deep decay. This type of pain may feel like throbbing. It can increase in intensity over time. Someone with infected dental pulp or a dying tooth root might find that the pain interferes with their normal activities.
Whats The Difference Between Tooth Pain And Sinus Pain
Like many others, you might fail to notice the differences between sinus pain and regular tooth pain. Both of these conditions have similar symptoms, but you will feel pain in the upper molars when suffering from sinus tooth pain. The pain will be spread in several teeth and will intensify or reduce with particular movements. For instance, it will intensify when you jump up or bend over and reduce when you sit or lie down.
On the flip side, tooth pain caused by a dental problem will be focused on one tooth. This pain will not intensify with particular movements. Unlike when suffering from a sinus infection, toothache caused by a dental problem is likely to be accompanied by a dental swelling.
Recommended Reading: How Long To Recover From Sinus Infection
Knowing The Difference Between Sinus Pressure And A Toothache
When it comes to tooth pain, it can be hard to determine if your toothache is caused by an actual dental problem or one of the side effects of sinus pressure.
Today, your trusty dentists at WhiteWing Dental in McAllen, TX, will explain how to determine whether the tooth pain youre experiencing is caused by sinus pressure or some other issue.
How Do I Fix The Problem
To get rid of your sinus toothache, youll need to clear out the mucus and reduce the inflammation in your sinuses. Once the inflammation goes down, there wont be any more pressure on the nerves leading to your teeth. It may be best to try one of these non-medical, and more affordable or even free solutions, prior to visiting your doctor or an urgent care clinic:
- Sleep Your body needs downtime to repair itself, especially if your sinus infection is the result of a cold. Be sure to keep your head elevated so you arent trapping mucus in your sinuses.
- Hydrate Drink plenty of fluids, like sugar-free juice and water, to hydrate your sinuses. Try to avoid coffee, as this can make symptoms worse.
- Breathe in steam Steam can open up your nasal passages and allow mucus to drain. Take a hot shower, breathe in the steam from a homecooked meal or sip some warm, caffeine-free tea. Do this a few times a day for the best results.
- Apply compresses Warm compresses and towels can be applied to the face to soothe pain.
- Use saline rinses Its best to use distilled water, but you can also boil and purify tap water for the same effect. Then, flush your nose with a neti pot, nebulizer or another safe device.
- Tweak your diet Spicy foods like horseradish, garlic, black pepper and chili peppers can thin mucus. Certain spicy foods can make things worse, so proceed with caution. If youre not a fan of spiciness, try peppermint.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Cold Sinus Infection
Should I Be Concerned
Tooth and ear pain are probably some of the worst types of pain that a person can experience So yes, if there is tooth and ear pain going on, you should be concerned. Fortunately, you probably wont have to rush off to the emergency room, but you might need to see a dentist or doctor depending on the frequency and severity of your tooth and ear pain.
If its your child experiencing tooth and ear pain, you probably want to do everything possible to get them out of pain and into the doctors office. Over-the-counter Motrin is an anti-inflammatory that helps with swelling, which is a common cause of earaches and toothaches.
Once symptoms start to improve, you can begin to do some detective work to figure out whats causing it. That way youll know which type of doctor to see and what type of treatment to expect.