Are you feeling some pain in your upper rear teeth? Your sinuses could be the problem. Sinus congestion makes you feel extremely uncomfortable. A sinus inflammation or sinuses infection brings painful pressure. Most of the time, you will get headaches and tooth pain when you have sinusitis. The pain is mostly felt in the upper teeth because they are close to your sinuses.
What Is Sinusitis?
To understand the relationship between tooth pain and sinus infection, you need to know the anatomy of sinuses. Everyone has numerous sinuses in their head. These small cavities have mucus that helps humidify and filter the air you are breathing. There are four categories of sinuses:
- Maxillary sinuses found in both cheeks
- Ethmoid sinuses located between the eyes
- Frontal sinuses in the forehead
- Sphenoid sinuses behind the ethmoid sinuses
Sinuses are vital in the respiratory system, and they are always prone to serious infections. A sinus infection can easily cause a lot of discomfort and pain in the upper teeth. The roots of the upper teeth are close to the sinuses, and any pressure or infection leads to pain in your teeth.
How to Distinguish Between Regular Toothache and Sinus Pain
Most symptoms of a sinus toothache are similar to those of a regular toothache. A sinus toothache, however, is mainly felt in your upper molars. The sinus toothache intensifies with certain types of movements, such as bending or jumping, and affects several teeth, unlike a regular toothache. With a normal toothache, the pain will be focused on just one tooth, and it could be more intense. Other symptoms of sinus toothache include:
- Ear pain
- Blockage in the nasal passages
- Bad-tasting nasal drip
- Tenderness in your cheeks
- Postnasal drip
- Nasal discharge
- Low energy
- Fever
Treatments
There are numerous home remedies for sinus pain. You need to drink a lot of water, use steam, and try to rinse the sinuses with warm, salty water. If the home remedies are not effective, you need to visit a dentist in Pekin, IL. The dentist will most probably recommend the following:
- Antibiotics
- Nasal decongestant
- Corticosteroid spray
- Nasal irrigation
If the dentist realizes that you are dealing with chronic sinusitis, they will likely refer you to a physician to manage the sinusitis. A balloon sinuplasty, for instance, will give you very quick relief from sinus pain. The procedure helps to enlarge the openings in your sinuses, which helps to clear the blockages.
Bottom Line
Sinus toothache can cause you severe discomfort. That is why it’s always advisable to consult with a dentist to determine the real cause of your toothache. Click here to schedule an appointment with a dentist in Pekin, IL.
Content found on this blog is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgement, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak with a professional if you have concerns about your oral health.
