How To Get Rid of Sinus Infection Tooth Pain?

Tooth pain isn’t something that you can put at the back of your mind. It’s a constant agony that you cannot really forget about. The pulsating pain is sometimes enough to disrupt your day-to-day life. This guide is meant to give you an idea of what causes sinus infection tooth pain so that if you’re experiencing it, you can consult a professional dentist. 

There’s no need to worry if you’re experiencing such tooth pain as there are different treatment options available. However, you should have an idea of what’s causing you tooth pain. Before we get into tooth pain due to a sinus infection, let’s first understand what sinusitis is. Understanding that will give you an idea of how it might cause you tooth pain.

What Is Sinusitis? 

Sinuses are hollow cavities that are present in the skull bone. These cavities produce mucus that moisturizes the inside of the nose. With this layer of mucus, dirt particles and other tiny microorganisms are filtered from the air being breathed into the body. 

Inflammation of the tissue that lines the sinus cavities causes sinusitis. There are numerous factors that can cause inflammation, such as:

  • smoking
  • allergens
  • bacteria
  • viruses

It is also possible for the sinus to get blocked if fluid gets filled inside. This can lead to the entrapment of bacteria and infection as a result. People who have sinusitis might experience pressure, which can cause them discomfort. The sinus cavities are located in the cheekbones, forehead, and near the eyes.

The location of the sinus cavity is close to the upper teeth and jawbone. Thus, a sinus infection can cause pain in the upper teeth, which can also spread to the lower teeth. It is also true that if you’re suffering from a tooth infection, it can cause you sinusitis but tooth pain is a very common symptom of sinus infection. 

There are some other symptoms of sinusitis you should know about other than a toothache:

  • pain
  • runny nose
  • congestion
  • loss of smell
  • fever
  • fatigue 

Acute sinusitis can last for a few weeks in comparison to chronic sinusitis, which can last for months.

What Causes Sinus Infection Tooth Pain? 

That can be explained by the location of the sinus cavity. Where the sinus cavity ends, the upper back teeth begin. The pressure that builds up inside the sinus cavity on top of the back teeth will be felt by the teeth. The nerves that run to the roots of the upper back teeth also feel the pressure from the sinus cavities. This can make the teeth sensitive and painful. 

How Do I Know If My Toothache Is a Sinus Infection?

To begin with, if it is sinusitis, you should keep an eye on the other symptoms that accompany it other than tooth pain. It can become difficult to differentiate since the symptoms might overlap. Thus, you need to be sure if sinusitis is what’s causing you tooth pain. That will determine the kind of dental treatment that you’ll get. 

When the toothache is due to sinusitis, it is quite likely to happen in the back upper teeth. That’s because of the sinus cavities that are present above the upper back teeth. And notice how we’re mentioning “teeth”? That’s because, in the case of sinusitis, you will not just have tooth pain in one tooth. It will be felt in several teeth tethered to your upper jawbone. 

Another mark of sinus infection tooth pain is that it can worsen when you’re moving. That includes walking, jumping, and even so much as bending. This occurs due to the shifting of the pressure in your sinus cavities. You’ll experience more pain as a result. You might feel better when lying down, though. Temperature sensitivity can also occur if you have a sinus infection tooth pain.  

How Do I Relieve Sinus Pressure In My Teeth?

Before you get to the treatment phase, you need to get a diagnosis. For this purpose, make sure to get a professional consultation. As mentioned above, the symptoms of a regular toothache can overlap with those of sinus infection. This is why before you begin any sort of treatment, try to get a proper diagnosis. Once it’s sure that you have sinusitis, you can try the following home remedies. 

Try Steam

One of the best techniques to open up a stuffy nose is to put your head over steam with a towel around your head. The hot steam can help with the stuffiness and congestion that you might experience with sinusitis. It can also help relieve the pressure from sinusitis. It can generally make one feel uncomfortable, which is why steaming is a good way to relieve some of the symptoms of sinusitis at home. 

Drink Lots of Water

If you’re dehydrated, your congestion will get worse. This is why it’s probably a good idea for you to drink lots of water. Fluids like coffee and alcohol can cause further dehydration, which is why you should not drink them. If you are in a dry environment, that can also cause some issues related to the sinus. It will have difficulty draining. In such a case, a humidifier can help. 

Try Saline Wash

A saline solution or salt water wash can moisturize the sinus. This also helps clean the thick mucus, dirt particles, and allergens from the nose. It is quite effective when it comes to shortening the duration of the sinus infection. Therefore, you should try it but with proper precautions.

Eat Nutritious Foods

Food containing vitamin C, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids can be quite helpful with sinusitis. Vitamin C can act against the inflammation-causing histamines, which can help with a sinus infection. The same is the case with omega-3 fatty acids. 

Now it may sound a bit odd, but spicy food can actually help. Remember how eating spicy food makes your nose drip? Spicy foods can make your mucus thin, which can relieve congestion. However, this is something that you should only try after consulting a professional doctor. Because eating spicy food might probably not be a good idea for some people.

Visit Your Dentist

Home remedies are only meant to provide temporary relief. They can assist in quicker healing of the sinus infection. However, they are not a replacement for the actual treatment that your dentist will require you to undergo. Your dentist’s provided treatment can differ depending on the severity of the sinus infection. You’ll probably have to take some antibiotics and painkillers to help you with the infection and the sinus infection tooth pain. 

Remember, home remedies can only support the recovery process. You shouldn’t solely rely on them to recover from sinusitis. Your doctor will let you know why you had the infection in the first place. Thus, you can be more careful about it in the future.

How Long Does Tooth Pain Last With Sinus Infection?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a case of acute sinusitis should resolve within 7-10 days. The pain is likely to last as long as you have a sinus infection. However, it should go away once they clear up.

When Is It a Good Time to See the Dentist for Your Sinus Infection Tooth Pain? 

Whether or not it is a sinus infection, tooth pain will be determined after your dentist examines you thoroughly. It is quite possible that after reading this guide, you might feel like this is exactly the illness that you’re suffering from. It might be the case, or it might not be. In any case, a doctor’s consultation is of utmost importance. 

If you’re experiencing any sort of tooth pain, don’t get alarmed immediately. Some tooth pains only last for a couple of days. However, if the pain continues for more than a week, it is probably a good idea to go and get yourself checked. Moreover, if you’re experiencing the kind of tooth pain that is interfering with your normal day-to-day functioning, it’s better not to wait. In this case, get yourself checked immediately. 

Other than a dental examination to determine the root cause of your tooth pain, it is quite possible for you to undergo some tests. You might have an X-ray or CT scan, which can end up showing any congestion in your sinus cavities. The dentist will look for other causes of tooth pain such as gum disease, cavities, or any other oral infections. Sinus infection tooth pain happens in such a manner that not just one but a group of teeth get affected by the pressure from the sinus. This results in pain, especially at the back because that’s where the cavities are. However, this pain can impact the surrounding teeth. 

Concluding Remarks 

When it comes to any kind of tooth pain, it’s best not to jump to any conclusions immediately. Sinus infection tooth pain is distinguishable in a few ways, but you should let the doctor give you a professional diagnosis. Based on that, the doctor will also provide you with the most suitable treatment options. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms related to sinusitis and are experiencing tooth pain, book a phone consult with us right away. 

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