Whats The Connection Between Sinus Infection And Toothache
Toothache or tooth pain from a sinus infection is actually fairly common. Your sinuses are air-filled pockets in the face there are four pairs, located near your eyes, forehead, and behind the cheekbones. When theyre working properly, their primary function is to produce mucus, which moistens the nose, protecting it from irritants and germs. When the sinuses become blocked, trapped germs can lead to infection.
Once infected, the blocked sinuses may swell and cause pressure in the face. A sinus infection can cause toothache because the swelling and build-up of mucus inside the sinuses may put pressure on nerves running to the roots of the teeth.
There are four pairs of what are called paranasal sinuses, or sinuses around the nose. They are the:
- Maxillary sinuses: located in the cheek,
- Ethmoid sinuses: located between the eyes, on each side of the nose,
- Frontal sinuses: located on either side of the forehead, and
- Sphenoid sinuses: located behind the ethmoid sinuses.
Generally, tooth pain associated with sinus infection is felt only in the top, rear teeth because the roots of these teeth and jawbone are closest to the maxillary sinuses. Although it can feel like a toothache, it is actually what doctors call referred pain, as the cause is not in the teeth themselves, but comes from the sinus pressure.
Sinus Tooth Pain Relief
If your sinus tooth pain is caused by sinusitis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antihistamines. If it is caused by bruxism, your dentist may recommend wearing a nighttime mouth guard. Sinus tooth pain caused by tooth damage or tooth decay will need additional dental care, such as filling a cavity.
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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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.
Can Teeth Problems Cause Sinus Infection
Sometimes, a tooth infection can lead to a sinus infection, called odontogenic sinusitis. Odontogenic sinusitis can be caused by trauma, infection, decay, or abscess in the maxillary teeth, with infection spreading from the teeth to the maxillary sinuses. This can happen when the roots of the teeth are very close to, or even protruding into the maxillary sinus. This proximity would generally not be an issue unless the tooth becomes infected.
Sometimes recurring sinus infections can even be a sign of tooth decay. When tooth decay causes a sinus infection, its called Maxillary Sinusitis of Endodontic Origin . In some cases of MSEO, the patient may not feel sensitivity or discomfort in the teeth, so it can be difficult to diagnose.
If problems of the teeth are causing sinus infection, simply treating the symptoms of sinus infection wont resolve the issue. If the source of the infection is with the tooth, you will have to have a dentist or endodontist provide treatment. If the sinus infections persist after managing dental issues, its a good idea to consult an ENT.
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Heres What To Do If You Have A Toothache
Not sure where you should turn for help? Start with your dentist, Dr. Chang said. Although its possible that your tooth is healthy, its more likely that a dental problem, not a sinus problem, is the cause of your pain. In some cases, it could be both!
With a dental exam and dental x-rays, your dentist can figure out if your problem stems from your tooth. If its a tooth-related problem your dentist can recommend a treatment plan:
- For tooth decay, you may need a filling, crown, root canal, or replacement tooth.
- For gum disease, you may need oral hygiene improvements, special dental cleanings, or medication.
And if your dentist doesnt spot a problem, you can follow up with your primary care provider or ear, nose, and throat specialist.
How Can I Relieve The Pressure In My Teeth
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A Toothache Sinus Infection And Intense Discomfort
It is important to remember that infected teeth can lead to developing sinus infections. If you do develop a sinus infection, it may lead to a severe and intense toothache. At the same time, if you do end up with an infected tooth, it may lead to the symptoms of sinusitis. If you do suspect that your sinus infection is related to a toothache, contact our emergency dental clinic in Lincoln, NE area.
Sinus Infection And Toothache: The Connection
The sinus is 4 pairs of air-filled spaces found in the facial bones near your eyes, forehead, and behind your cheekbones.
Moreover, they warm, moisten, and filter the air into your nasal cavity and also has the ability to produce mucus which drains in the nasal cavity and cleans your nose.
However, when you have a sinus infection, the congestion and pressure that accompany it can cause discomfort or pain in your upper teeth.
This is because the roots of your upper teeth and jawbone are near the sinuses.
In some cases, this is also termed as referred pain, and the discomfort spreads to the lower teeth as well.
The symptoms of regular toothache and sinus toothache are similar.
However, you mostly feel sinus toothache in your upper teeth and upper jaw.
If you have sinus toothache along with other symptoms, then it means that you have a sinus toothache.
Moreover, you may also feel a bit low in energy or under the weather or might also have a fever.
It is important to note that pain with a sinus infection may also intensify with certain movements.
These include jumping up pr bending over. This is because the pressure in your sinus shifts as you move and you can feel it in your teeth.
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How Can You Be Sure If You Have A Sinus Infection Which Hurts Your Jaw And Teeth
Pain in a specific tooth is usually caused by centralized pain. Pain associated with a sinus infection is usually described as a less intense, less localized feeling that is more akin to an itch than a sharp or severe pain. In addition, it may also affect a wider area, affecting an entire section of the jaw rather than just one tooth.
You May Have A Sinus Communication Causing Sinusitis
This is the most common cause of minor sinus problems after root canal therapy. A sinus communication is a small hole in your sinus lining, which may be opened by your dentist while they are performing a root canal.
This happens because the roots of your upper teeth are extremely close to your sinus lining, which is relatively delicate. When cleaning your tooth during a root canal, your dentist will use a special tool to remove decayed material from the roots of your teeth. Itâs possible for them to accidentally poke through the sinus lining and create a very small hole, or sinus communication.
Usually, this results in symptoms like:
- Feeling air go across the socket of your tooth when you breathe
- A runny nose or post-nasal drip
- Congestion, sinus pressure, and pain
âThese symptoms are relatively mild. If your sinus communication is small, it will heal on its own, and you will not have to seek further treatment. However, if your pain and discomfort persists or gets worse, you may have a larger hole in your sinus lining, and you may need treatment to close this opening.
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Can A Dental Infection Cause A Sinus Infection
A dental infection can cause a sinus infection.
An evidence review from 2012 estimated as much as 40% of chronic maxillary sinus infections were due to dental infections.
Older studies estimated this amount was about 10%, but advances in imaging, such as CT scans, have revealed dental infections as a more common underlying cause.
As the back portion of the teeth is close to the maxillary sinuses, infectious organisms can travel to these cavities.
A person with this infection type will have maxillary sinus infection symptoms. They may also have the following risk factors relating to their teeth:
- history of jaw or dental pain
- history of or current dental infection
- history of endodontic, oral, or periodontal surgery, especially tooth extractions
Infection of this type requires antibiotics and treatment of the underlying infection in the tooth or teeth. This approach helps reduce the chance of the infection returning.
A doctor will look at differences in symptoms to help diagnose a toothache that a sinus infection is causing or one from a dental problem.
A sinus infection can cause:
- interference with a persons sense of smell
- one-sided nasal obstruction, or a stuffy nose
- runny nose, typically on one side
Signs that may be different from sinusitis and could indicate a dental problem include:
- dental pain with temperature changes, such as when eating or drinking something cold or hot
- facial swelling
- gum swelling near a tooth
- pain near a tooth that has dental work
Symptoms Of A Sinus Toothache
It can be a little difficult to determine if a toothache is caused by your sinuses or if its a regular toothache with another cause. However, a sinus toothache tends to be specifically in the upper molars close to the sinuses, so toothaches affecting other teeth are unlikely to be caused by your sinuses. Sinus toothaches are also often felt in several teeth at once, and not just in a single tooth. If you have a toothache with another cause, its likely to be the only place youre feeling pain. It can be more focused and intense compared to a sinus toothache.
There are other symptoms to watch out for too, which might indicate a sinus infection. These include pressure around your eyes, nose and forehead, which is where your sinuses are located. You might find that you have thick and discolored mucus or that you have a nasal drip with a bad taste. This can cause halitosis as well. You might also notice that your ears hurt or feel full, you could have a fever, a sore throat or hoarse voice, and you might feel tired. Sinus infections can cause you to lose your sense of taste and smell temporarily too.
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How Can You Tell The Difference Between An Abscessed Tooth And A Sinus Infection
In the case of an infection in more than one sinus cavity, you may experience additional pain behind your nose and eyes as well. Pain in the sinuses is typically dull, continuous, and increases in intensity when an abscessed tooth is present. A tooth that has been abscessed will likely cause you to feel a sharp pain if you touch it.
Lower Jaw Pain: Causes And Home Treatment Tips
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Do you experience a popping or a dull ache along your jawline when you yawn or chew food? You could have an issue with your temporomandibular joint, sometimes referred to as the TMJ. There are several causes of jaw pain, and pain in lower jaw and teeth can be associated with an injury, dental problems, and even the serious health issue of a heart attack. TMJ lower jaw pain, or with lower jaw pain right side, should be taken seriously and may be treated with a few simple home remedies.
The jawbone can be referred to as the mandible, and forms the jaw joint with the maxilla bone, which is just above the mouth. This is how we are able to open and close our mouth. Damage to any of the bones, tendons, or muscles of the joint region can result in various symptoms, depending on the cause.
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Is It Sinus Pressure Or A Toothache
Did you know that sinus pressure can cause symptoms that closely mimic a regular toothache? Sinus congestion and infections can cause your upper teeth to hurt as if you had a cavity or even an abscess. In this blog post, youll learn why sinus pressure can cause a toothache, how to tell if a toothache is related to sinus pressure, and what to expect if you go to the dentist with possible sinus pressure issues.
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.
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How Can You Tell If A Blocked Sinus Is Causing Your Toothache
Theres one MAIN way to know if your tooth pain is due to blocked sinus.
Try bending over. Does the pain increase? If so, your tooth pain is caused by a sinus problem. The pressure shifts in your sinus when you bend over, causing pain in your teeth.
If you experience more pain when you bend over, your toothache is caused by a sinus infection. The pain might also increase right after you have a cold or flu, or when you are on an airplane.
If you have tooth pain related to a blocked sinus, you will experience certain symptoms. One of the main symptoms is that your face, jaw and nasal area will feel tender and sore. Many people describe the pain as a constant dull ache, rather than a sharp pain.
If you feel a sharp and increasing pain, you might have an abscess in your mouth. If you have an abscess, you need to seek treatment right away.
While most people feel their blocked sinus pain in their upper teeth, the ache can spread to the lower teeth as well. This is called referred pain, and it is very common in the mouth. Your dentist or doctor can help to determine what is going on with your teeth and sinuses. Even if you feel pain in an unrelated tooth, theyll be able to determine the real problem.
If any of these sound familiar, it is time to head to the doctor. An acute maxillary sinus infection can go unnoticed for a long time. It can be easily confused with chronic nasal congestion. Your doctor can tell you exactly what is wrong and help you to end the pain.