Sinus pain vs tooth pain: Your complete guide

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Have you ever had shooting pain in your tooth and wondered if it was a sinus toothache? Not all toothaches are sinus pain, but some who have sinus infections or sensitivity experience toothache in their molars.

What is a sinus infection?

Sinus pain caused due to a sinus infection or inflammation can cause toothache. Sinuses are pairs of hollow spaces in your skull that is connected to the nasal cavity. Sinus inflammation, also known as sinusitis, occurs when the tissues that are along your sinuses get swollen or inflamed.

Toothache is often a common symptom of sinusitis. Sinus tooth pain is the result of sinus pressure and drainage of mucus in case of an infection. You will typically experience sinus infection tooth pain in the upper rear molars, those that are closest to your sinuses. And it’s quite possible to feel sinus toothache in more than one tooth.

How to differentiate between regular toothache and sinus tooth pain?

When your toothache is due to sinus pain or pressure, you will predominantly feel it in your upper molars at the back. This is because these are the teeth that are closest to your sinuses. If your toothache is due to any dental cause, then in all probability it would the only pain you have and won’t have any other symptoms.

A good way to ascertain the difference between tooth pain and sinus pain is to check if the sinus pain is accompanied by additional symptoms. Sinus infection symptoms are mostly like cold and other nasal infections. Check out for any of the below symptoms:

  1. Feeling feverish or drained

  2. Cold-like symptoms such as a congested head, cough, or runny nose.

  3. Pressure or tenderness on nose, eyes, or forehead

  4. Sore throat

  5. Loss of smell or taste

Home remedies for sinus pain:

If you do have sinus toothache, you will need to first consult a dentist. And in the interim to get some sinus tooth pain relief, here are some handy home remedies and tips that you can fall back on1.

  1. Place a warm compress on your face to ease some of the pain.

  2. Have plenty of fluids as it helps drain out the mucus by thinning it.

  3. Use a humidifier in your room when you sleep or try inhaling steam several times a day.

  4. Rinse your sinus using a saline solution to rinse away allergens and discharge.

  5. Don’t overlook your daily dental hygiene. Remember to floss your teeth if brushing them is causing pain. Use the Essential Mint Dental Floss by Oral-B. It slides easily between your teeth to remove any leftover food particles and plaque thereby providing you with efficient cleaning. It helps to clean your teeth by being gentle on the gums for overall mouth health.

If the above remedies don’t seem to work after a couple of days or if the pain persists for a long time with no sign of improvement or causes you extreme pain, then you must see a doctor. He will be able to guide you and determine the type of treatment that is best suited for you.

Your tooth pain will go once you tackle the root cause of it. Although sinus infection could be the reason for your toothache, you want to do your best to stay away from any other type of toothache. And that begins by exercising proper dental care and hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth regularly. Use the Oral-B Vitality Series electric toothbrush that uses 2D technology for thorough cleaning, allowing you to navigate in areas that you may have otherwise missed. Its round head ensures it reaches every corner and crevice for an all-round and efficient mouth cleaning experience.

FAQs

How can you tell the difference between sinus pain and toothache?

A good way to ascertain the difference between tooth pain and sinus pain is to check if the sinus pain is accompanied by additional symptoms. Sinus infection symptoms are mostly like cold and other nasal infections such as congestion in head, runny nose, sore throat, etc.

Can sinus pain be mistaken for toothache?

Toothache is often a common symptom of sinusitis. Sinus tooth pain is the result of sinus pressure and drainage of mucus in case of an infection.

How do I get rid of sinus pain in my teeth?

Some home remedies for sinus tooth pain relief include drinking plenty fluids and staying hydrated, using a warm compress on nose, eyes and forehead, and inhaling steam.