Franck Dental Blog

Is It Tooth Pain Or Sinus Pressure?

Sep 23, 2022

If you experience sinus issues you might notice that these issues can cause tooth pain. 

Sinus pressure and pain can start at any age and for a variety of reasons. The most common causes of sinus pain is seasonal allergies and sinus infections. Either of these causes (or a few other ones) can create pressure in your sinuses via inflammation and swelling. Since the roots of some of your teeth share the same space as your sinus cavity this swelling of the nasal passages can lead to pain and discomfort in your teeth. 

What Are Sinus Cavities? 

Your sinus cavity consists of four air-filled spaces behind your eyes, cheekbones and forehead. This is why when you experience a headache right between your eyes it is typically because of sinus pressure. The sinus area produces mucus that helps filter the air you breathe to keep dust and other items from entering your lungs. Sometimes if the contaminates you are breathing in become too much for your sinuses to handle it can cause more mucus to build up which in return causes congestion and pressure. This pressure and congestion can affect more than your forehead, eyes and cheekbones and start to press against the roots of your upper teeth causing pain. 

So Is It Sinus Pressure Or Something Else Causing My Tooth Pain? 

As noted in our previous blog, Why Do My Teeth Hurt, there are a variety of reasons why you may be experiencing tooth pain. When it comes to sinus pressure being the culprit there are some pretty noticeable signs that come along with the tooth pain including: 

Pain, tenderness and/or tingling in your sinus cavity areas (forehead, eyes, cheekbones)

Pain in more than one tooth, typically top molars (back teeth)

Thick, off-color mucus

Bad-tasting (sometimes tastes metallic) nasal drip

Sore throat

Ear pain

What Can I Do?

There are a few things you can do to help relieve your sinus pain. The first thing you should do is visit your dentist to be sure that your issues are indeed sinus related and not another dental issue. If it is sinus related and the issue is bad enough (sinus infection) you may need to be prescribed antibiotics to help clear it up. 

If you cannot get in with your dentist or doctor right away you can temporarily relieve sinus pressure by: 

Breathing in hot moist air (steam) or even using a mentholated vaporizer (like Vicks)

Use a neti-pot or sinus flush to clear out your sinuses. Make sure you are using the proper types of water and saline packets included with the neti-pot, DON’T use tap water.

Drink lots and lots of fluids especially water

Avoid milk, dairy and sugar as these will increase mucus production

Eat foods that will help reduce inflammation including foods rich in Vitamin C, Calcium and Omega-3

Research tapping methods in which you tap and press on your sinus to help move congestion out of the sinus cavities

If possible take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or sinus medicine

If none of these solutions do the trick or you continue to have issues arise set up an appointment with your dentist to make sure that your tooth pain is not being caused by something other than your sinuses. If your teeth are given the all-clear, it might be time to look into an ENT (ear, nose and throat doctor). 

The information on this Blog is provided for general information, is not intended to provide medical, dental or surgical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. No dentist/patient relationship is established by your use of this Site. No diagnosis or treatment is being provided. The information contained here should be used in consultation with a dentist of your choice. No guarantees or warranties are made regarding any of the information contained within this Blog.

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C. Christian Franck, DDS

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Kennett Square, PA 19348