Many people experience tooth pain and wonder if a sinus infection could be the cause. There is a direct connection between sinus infections, also known as sinusitis, and discomfort in the teeth. This article will explain how sinus infections can lead to tooth pain, outline other common symptoms of a sinus infection, and provide guidance on how to differentiate this type of pain from other dental issues.
Understanding Sinus-Related Tooth Pain
The maxillary sinuses are located behind the cheekbones and directly above the upper back teeth. These air-filled spaces are close to the roots of the upper molars and premolars, with some tooth roots even extending into the sinus cavity itself. When a sinus infection occurs, the tissues lining these sinuses become inflamed and swollen.
This inflammation leads to a buildup of pressure within the sinus cavities. The increased pressure can then press on the nerves connected to the roots of the nearby upper teeth, causing pain that feels similar to a toothache. This phenomenon is known as referred pain, where discomfort originates in one area but is felt in another due to shared nerve pathways.
Identifying Sinus Infection Symptoms
Tooth pain caused by a sinus infection often presents as a dull, constant ache affecting multiple upper teeth, rather than a single tooth. This discomfort can intensify with changes in head position, such as bending over, jumping, or lying down, due to the shifting pressure within the sinuses. The pain might also worsen when blowing your nose.
A sinus infection also includes other symptoms. These include pressure or tenderness around the forehead, eyes, or cheeks. Nasal congestion, a runny nose with thick, discolored (green or yellow) mucus, and postnasal drip are common. Other symptoms can include a headache, a reduced sense of smell or taste, bad breath, ear fullness or pain, a cough, and fatigue. A low-grade fever may also occur, signaling the body’s response to an infection.
Distinguishing Sinus Pain from Dental Pain
Differentiating between tooth pain caused by a sinus infection and pain from a primary dental issue can be challenging, as symptoms can overlap. Sinus-related tooth pain affects several upper teeth simultaneously, whereas a dental problem like a cavity or abscess causes localized pain in a single tooth. If tapping on a specific tooth causes sharp pain, it is more indicative of a dental problem.
Dental pain includes sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, or pain when chewing or biting down, which are less common with sinus-related tooth pain. Swelling, redness, or tenderness around the gums of an affected tooth, or the presence of a small bump on the gums (indicating an abscess), point towards a dental origin. The absence of nasal congestion, facial pressure, or other sinus symptoms also suggests the pain is likely from a dental issue rather than a sinus infection.
When to Seek Medical Advice
It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if tooth pain persists or worsens, especially if it does not resolve after other sinus infection symptoms clear up. Seek medical attention if you experience severe sinus pain, a high fever (over 103 degrees Fahrenheit), or symptoms that last longer than 10 days without improvement.
Immediate medical evaluation is recommended for more concerning symptoms such as severe headache, changes in vision, swelling in the face or around the eyes, or mental confusion. If you are unsure whether your tooth pain is due to a dental issue or a sinus infection, consulting both a dentist and a doctor can help determine the correct diagnosis and ensure appropriate treatment.