What is a Sinus Toothache?

Tooth pain is not something that you might like to hear, and bearing the pain can be very difficult. If you have a sinus infection, developing tooth pain might be the worst thing you can imagine. Toothache and sinus infection can have a close relationship and are referred to as sinus toothache.

What is a Sinus Infection?
Sinuses are the hollow spaces in the bones above the upper jaw that are filled with air. The main purpose of sinuses is to produce nasal mucus.

In certain situations, the sinuses get clogged with the fluid. Bacteria and germs start populating in the clogged fluid and cause a sinus infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9 out of 10 adult sinus infections are caused by viruses, and the remaining are caused by bacteria.

The symptoms of sinus infections include:

  • Stuffy nose
  • Thick mucus discharge from nasal
  • Pain in the face

One of the most unexpected and gruesome symptoms of sinus infection is tooth pain.

Sinus Infection Toothache
Because the sinuses are not inside the mouth, it can be hard to believe that sinus infections can cause tooth pain. The maxillary sinuses are in proximity to the roots of the upper teeth. When a person experiences sinus infection and inflammation, the brain processes that the pain signals are coming from the teeth.

It’s not easy to deal with a sinus toothache, knowing that the culprit is your sinus and not the tooth. The best way to relieve a toothache from a sinus infection is by eliminating the mucus to minimize the pressure in the sinuses.

Treating Sinus Infection

If you have a sinus infection, you don’t need to worry much. The majority of sinus infections get better by themselves. If the cause of sinus infections is bacteria, antibiotics can be the best course of treatment.

Other than that, there are plenty of home remedies you can try to find relief from a sinus infection.

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day to wash away the mucus.
  • Taking hot water steam can also be helpful in this situation.
  • Steamy shower can help minimize the decongestion.
  • Use can also use OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin to help ease the situation.
  • Nasal decongestants can be effective in providing instant relief but don’t overuse them, or your body might become resistant to it.

How Long Does A Sinus Toothache Last?

The length of time your sinus toothache can last depends on several factors. If there are no other reasons behind your toothache, the pain should go away when the sinus infection ends. Sinus infection tooth pain can bring lots of discomforts, but it will go away within a week or 10 days at most. If the pain is still present after the stated days, it’s better to see your doctor or dentist.

If you wish to book an appointment with the dental experts at Mission Bend Family Dentistry, call at 832-895-5110.

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