How many times have you found yourself dealing with a throbbing ache in your upper teeth during allergy season or when you’re fighting off a cold? Did you know that the real culprit might actually be your sinuses?
Because the roots of certain teeth sit so close to the sinus cavities, inflammation or pressure in those spaces can create a tooth-like pain that can be easily confused with a dental problem. Learning the difference can help you fast-track yourself to the right treatment.
If this is something you have ever wondered, it comes down to your maxillary sinuses that sit just above your upper back teeth. When your sinus cavities are inflamed, they start filling with fluid and swelling. The swelling then pushes downward toward those tooth roots that share those same nerve pathways.
To your brain, that pressure can feel identical to a toothache. Many describe it as a dull and consistent throbbing that affects more than just one tooth at a time. Does this sound at all familiar?
Here are a few things to remember when trying to differentiate between dental pain and sinus pressure:
You’ll find that sinus-based pain isn’t usually going to be sharp or triggered when you chew or consume cold drinks or sweets. If those make the pain worse, then your issue is most likely a tooth problem and not a sinus problem.
Some other issues that can point to a real tooth problem can be when the pain is isolated to just one tooth, becomes sharp, stabbing, or temperature-sensitive, swelling around the gums, or pain remains even after the sinus symptoms improve.
If you’re experiencing sinus symptoms and tooth pain at the stay time, try to stay hydrated, use warm compresses, and take some over-the-counter sinus relief. If it doesn’t improve after a few days, get in touch with your Logan dentist to determine if the cause is oral or sinus-related.
A quick exam or X-ray can rule out infections or tooth damage, so you can be directed to the right kind of treatment for your pain.
