Since your sinuses are near your mouth, the pressure accompanying an infection can cause pain in your upper teeth. Pain in the teeth may also result from a toothache.
A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, can lead to a toothache. Sinusitis occurs when the tissue lining the sinuses becomes inflamed and swollen.
Tooth pain is a common symptom of sinusitis. Sinus pressure and drainage from a sinus infection can cause tooth pain. The pain usually occurs in the upper rear teeth closest to the sinuses.
There are several sinuses throughout the body. The sinuses located near the nose are known as the paranasal sinuses. But you also have sinuses in your brain, known as the dural venous sinuses.
These sinuses are four pairs of air-filled spaces found in the facial bones near your eyes, forehead, and behind your cheekbones. They warm, moisten and filter the air in your nasal cavity. Sinuses also
When these areas become blocked by fluid, infection is possible. An infection can also occur when bacteria are introduced to the area when coughing or blowing your nose.
The congestion and pressure accompanying a sinus infection can cause discomfort or pain in your upper teeth. This is because the roots of your upper teeth and jawbone are near your sinuses. Sometimes, the discomfort spreads to your lower teeth as well.
Many symptoms of a regular toothache feel similar to those of a sinus toothache. However, sinus tooth pain is primarily felt in the upper molars, affecting several teeth instead of only one.
If you’re having pain in these teeth, and it’s coupled with some of the symptoms listed below, your toothache is likely due to a sinus infection. You may also feel a bit low in energy or have a fever.
A toothache caused by dental concerns will likely be the only source of pain, and it could be more intense and focused.
Pain from a sinus toothache may intensify with certain types of movement. Jumping up or bending over may make the pain worse. This is because the sinus pressure shifts as you move. The pain may subside when you’re sitting or lying down.
Sinus infection symptoms are often similar to cold and nasal allergy symptoms. Inflammation and swelling can cause sinus blockage and pressure, leading to facial pain.
Symptoms of a sinus infection may include:
- head congestion
- runny or stuffy nose
- cough
- pressure or tenderness around your nose, eyes, or forehead
- thick, discolored mucus
- bad-tasting nasal drip
- unpleasant smelling breath
- ear fullness or pain
- fever
- tiredness
- loss of smell and taste
- sore throat
- hoarse voice
- toothache
Can a sinus infection affect your eyes?
Yes, a sinus infection can affect your eyes. A sinus infection can cause face tenderness, particularly under the eyes or around the bridge of the nose. You may also experience pressure below the eyes, which increases when you lower your head.
Congestion or pressure in the sinus cavities in your nose can affect your optic nerve.
A sinus infection may also extend to the bones and soft tissues around the face and eye sockets. When a sinus infection becomes severe, it can cause complications such as a facial skin infection and reach the tissues around the eye. Doctors typically treat this kind of infection with antibiotics.
You may want to consult with a doctor if you experience facial pain, pressure, or swelling of the eyes that lasts longer than a few days. If you are unable to open your eye, move your eyeball, or experience a change in vision, see a doctor right away.
Can a sinus infection affect your brain?
Many complications can arise from a sinus infection that spreads to the dural sinuses close to the brain. Although rare, a sinus infection can spread to the brain through blood clots or bone due to sinus wall erosion or abnormalities.
Some complications of a sinus infection that affect your brain include:
- brain abscess
- meningitis
- cavernous sinus thrombosis
- cysts
- pott’s puffy tumor
Common symptoms of these conditions or signs that an infection is affecting your brain can include:
- headache
- fever
- nausea
- vomiting
- altered mental state
- neck stiffness
A sinus infection affecting your brain is rare. However, if the symptoms of your infection last longer than 12 days or get more severe, it is important to see a doctor immediately.
Often sinusitis begins as a regular viral cold and turns into an infection. Some other primary causes of a sinus infection
- allergies
- bacterial infection
- fungal infection
- chemical irritants
- asthma
- changes in temperature or air pressure
If you have a weakened immune system, you may have a higher risk of developing a sinus infection.
There are lots of treatment options for a sinus infection. You can start with a few home remedies and move on to a traditional treatment if you don’t see results. Here are a few options.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is key to relieving sinus congestion. Make sure you’re drinking enough water and getting plenty of liquids. This helps thin mucus and reduce pressure and blockages in your sinuses. Hot liquids such as soup and tea may be especially soothing.
Steam
Breathing in hot, moist air can help to open your nasal passages and relieve sinus pressure. Simply pour boiling water into a large bowl. Position your face above the water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale deeply for a few minutes. You can also take a hot steam shower twice a day.
Sinus flush
Rinsing your sinuses with a saline solution can help to moisturize your sinuses while clearing away allergens and discharge. You can buy a premixed solution. Use a nasal sprayer, Neti pot, or nasal irrigation system with distilled or boiled water to clean your sinuses. No not use tap water.
Limit decongestant nasal sprays
While decongestant nasal sprays can be a good option for treating sinus congestion short-term, they are not intended for daily use. They should not be used for more than 3 days in a row. Using these sprays for extended periods can lead to more congestion instead of preventing it, and you may develop a tolerance over time.
Prolonged use for more than
There are a few ways to treat a toothache before going to a dentist. You can try:
- Over-the-counter pain (OTC) relievers: You can treat minor toothache pain with an OTC pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin. Topical numbing pastes or gels containing benzocaine (Anbesol, Orajel) can also be used for pain relief. Products containing benzocaine should not be used in children under age 2.
- Hot and cold therapy: Alternate using a heating pad or cold compress on the affected area for 15 minutes at a time. Do this a few times throughout the day.
- Saltwater rinse: Doing a saltwater rinse can help to relieve inflammation and treat oral wounds. Rinse your mouth with this solution for 30 seconds, several times daily.
A doctor may prescribe the following prescription treatments for sinusitis.
Sinusitis treatments
If home remedies or OTC medications aren’t effective, a doctor may prescribe medication. This may include:
- a decongestant
- steroid nasal spray
- mucus-thinning medication
- allergy-relieving medications, if allergies play a role in your sinusitis
Antibiotics for sinusitis should only be used if other treatment methods are ineffective and bacterial infection is suspected.
How long does a sinus toothache last?
(Video) Can Sinus Infection cause toothache? - Dr. Sangeeta Honnur
How long does a sinus toothache last?
Depending on the severity, a sinus infection typically lasts less than
If your toothache continues after other sinus infection symptoms end, you may want to see a dentist or a doctor.
Some signs that you may need to see a dentist or a doctor include a toothache that:
- lasts for some time
- doesn’t go away after your sinus infection is gone
- causes you severe discomfort
A dentist can determine whether gum infection, cavities, or dental abscesses are causing the pain. Grinding your teeth could also be causing your toothache.
Consider seeing a doctor if the dentist doesn’t find a dental cause for your toothache. They can assess whether a sinus condition or another medical condition is the cause.
Likewise, you may want to see a doctor if your sinus infection doesn’t get better after treatment or if your symptoms are painful or severe.
Sinus infections can cause several symptoms, including toothaches, especially in the upper rear teeth. Though this can cause discomfort, both issues are fairly simple to resolve. Once you treat your sinus infection, your tooth pain should go away.
Usually, symptoms will improve or clear within a week or two. Consider talking with a doctor if congestion or infection persists after treatment or if any of your symptoms worsen.
FAQs
How do you get rid of a sinus toothache? ›
Treating a Sinus Toothache
Warm drinks can be especially helpful. Steam can also help to open up your sinuses and allow them to drain, so you might want to steam your face or take a hot shower. Another solution is to rinse out your sinuses using a nasal spray, a Neti pot or a nasal irrigation system.
A true test to know whether or not the pain you have is from your sinuses is to apply pressure directly to your teeth or gums. While your sinus cavities can be tender to the touch, they will not cause a tooth to be tender.
How long does sinusitis toothache last? ›Toothaches due to a sinus infection can last around 7-10 days, so be sure to contact them if your symptoms persist longer than this timeframe. There may be other underlying causes for your teeth pain.
Why is my sinus causing tooth pain? ›The largest sinuses are a pair above the back teeth of your upper jaw. The roots of the upper teeth are very near or may even extend into the sinus cavity. Consequently, inflammation in the sinuses might cause pain in nearby teeth. Similarly, damage to or infection in a tooth may lead to persistent (chronic) sinusitis.
Does Orajel help sinus toothache? ›Toothache home remedies
Topical numbing pastes or gels containing benzocaine (Anbesol, Orajel) can also be used for pain relief.
Antibiotics are not needed for many sinus infections. Most sinus infections usually get better on their own without antibiotics. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you, and their side effects could still cause harm. Side effects can range from mild reactions, like a rash, to more serious health problems.
Which tooth is connected to sinus? ›Our upper teeth are linked very closely with the maxillary sinus. Many times the roots of these teeth hold up the lining of your sinus. When you lose one or more of your upper back teeth, your sinus lining can drop. Many people report the side of their nose with the lost tooth to feel more “stuffy” over time.
What is the fastest way to get rid of a sinus infection? ›- Rest. This will help your body fight infection and speed recovery.
- Drink fluids. Continue to drink plenty of fluids.
- Use a warm compress. ...
- Moisten your sinus cavities. ...
- Rinse your nasal passages.
Yes, you can go to the dentist if you are sick. However, if you are throwing-up, have a fever, or if you are contagious, you should not visit the dentist.
What antibiotics treat sinus toothache? ›Treatment for infectious sinusitis is amoxicillin. If a person is allergic to amoxicillin, a doctor may prescribe doxycycline or clarithromycin.
Does ibuprofen help with sinus toothache? ›
Take Pain Relievers:over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce sinus infection tooth pain.
How to tell the difference between a sinus infection and an abscess tooth? ›How can you tell an abscessed tooth from a sinus infection? Sinus pain usually manifests itself as a dull, continuous pain while the pain from an abscessed tooth increases in intensity. If you tap on an abscessed tooth, you will probably feel a sharp jolt of pain.
When should I go to the doctor for a sinus infection? ›For adults – seek medical attention if:
Your symptoms last more than 10 days. You have a high fever. Your nasal discharge is yellow or green and you also have sinus pain or fever. This may be a sign of a bacterial infection.
“Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin or naproxen work well with dental pain because they reduce inflammation,” says Huang. Recent data has shown the combination of Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) is as effective as prescription opioids for tooth pain.
How do you relieve pressure in your teeth? ›- Rinse with warm saltwater. Saltwater can loosen debris between your teeth, act as a disinfectant and reduce inflammation. ...
- Rinse with hydrogen peroxide. A hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) helps to reduce inflammation and pain. ...
- Cold compress. ...
- Pain medications.
Take decongestants and pain killers. Try Sudafed and Mucinex to loosen the congestion and ibuprofen/acetaminophen to manage the headaches and tooth pain.
What are the 4 main symptoms of sinusitis? ›Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage) Blocked or stuffy (congested) nose causing difficulty breathing through your nose. Pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead. Reduced sense of smell and taste.
How do I know if my sinusitis is viral or bacterial? ›If your sinus infection lasts for about a week, it's usually due to a virus. Bacterial sinus infections, on the other hand, can persist for some time. They usually last for 10 days or longer. While viral infections usually start to get better after a few days, bacterial infections tend to get worse over time.
What is the best prescription medicine for a sinus infection? ›The recommended choices are amoxicillin or amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate (Augmentin) for 5 to 10 days. Doxycycline is a good alternative for people with penicillin allergy, followed by levofloxacin or moxifloxacin.
Which teeth hurt when you have a sinus infection? ›A sinus infection (sinusitis) or inflammation can cause a toothache — specifically in the upper rear teeth, which are close to the sinuses.
What is a natural antibiotic for sinus infection? ›
Echinacea is an herb that can help your body fight off viruses and bacteria. Professional herbalists will often recommend this herb for natural treatment of sinus infections.
What happens if tooth goes into sinus? ›Chronic Sinus Infections Can Be Caused By Infected Teeth
In some cases, the root can actually poke through the floor of the sinus. In a severe tooth infection, the bacteria may cause the bone to decay and break down, allowing the infection to spread into your sinus lining, causing sinusitis.
Treating a sinus infection means unblocking and draining the sinuses. Corticosteroid nasal sprays such as Flonase and Nasacort are the best source for treatment because they help reduce swelling in the nasal passages.
How do I massage my sinuses to drain? ›Using your index and middle fingers, apply pressure near your nose between your cheekbones and jaw. Move your fingers in a circular motion toward your ears. You can use your thumbs instead of your fingers for a deeper massage. This should take 30 seconds to a minute.
Can I cure my own sinus infection? ›People may be able to treat a sinus infection using home remedies, such as OTC medications, nasal irrigation, and warm compresses. Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated are also essential as the body recovers.
Can sinus cause tooth pain on one side? ›When our maxillary sinus becomes affected by colds or sinus infections, the bottom lining expands and puts pressure on the top back teeth, resulting in a toothache. These toothaches are intense, continuous, and in the upper back teeth. Sometimes the toothache will be on one side and sometimes it may be on both.
Can the doctor give you anything for sinus infection? ›If your doctor thinks a bacterial infection is to blame, they may prescribe antibiotics. For acute sinusitis, you typically take them for 10-14 days. For chronic sinusitis, it might be longer. Antibiotics only help with bacterial infections.
What is the strongest antibiotic for a toothache? ›Amoxicillin is usually the first choice for tooth infection treatment. If your tooth infection is more serious, your dentist may prescribe a combination of amoxicillin and another drug called Clavulanate. This combination is stronger and more effective against tooth infections.
Why is Tylenol not helping my tooth pain? ›Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not well-suited for tooth pain because is not an NSAID and will not reduce inflammation that causes your pain. In general, non-NSAIDs and even opioids aren't very effective for toothache pain. If over-the-counter painkillers are not working for your toothache, call your dentist right away.
What does an infected sinus cavity feel like? ›Acute sinusitis signs and symptoms often include: Thick, yellow or greenish mucus from the nose (runny nose) or down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage) Blocked or stuffy nose (congestion) causing difficulty breathing through your nose.
What are the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading? ›
- Severe, constant, throbbing toothache that can spread to your jawbone, neck or ear.
- Pain or discomfort with hot and cold temperatures.
- Pain or discomfort with the pressure of chewing or biting.
- Fever.
- Swelling in your face, cheek or neck that may lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Some people with allergies can have “allergic fungal sinus infection.” Acute sinus infection lasts three to eight weeks. A sinus infection lasting longer than eight weeks is considered chronic.
What happens if you leave a sinus infection untreated? ›What Happens if Sinusitis Isn't Treated? You'll have pain and discomfort until it starts to clear up. In rare cases, untreated sinusitis can lead to meningitis, a brain abscess, or an infection of the bone. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.
What is considered a serious sinus infection? ›When there is excessive pain in your eyes, ears, head or throat, you likely have a severe sinus infection. And if you can't open your eyes or you feel dizzy, these are major warning signs that your sinusitis is at a dangerous level.
What is the fastest pain reliever for toothache? ›Ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen are all effective pain killers—though one study suggests that ibuprofen is more effective against toothaches. To find fast relief from toothache pain, take one of these over-the-counter remedies as prescribed on the bottle.
How can I stop my tooth from throbbing nerve pain? ›- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
- Floss gently to remove built up plaque or food in between teeth.
- Apply a cold compress to your cheek or jaw.
- Take an over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can relieve minor pain.
The exposure of the dentin tubules can lead to those sharp pains in your teeth, but you can have 24-hour relief with continued use of LISTERINE® Sensitivity. * Relief in two weeks, with continued use.
What happens if tooth infection spreads to sinus? ›Once you have a combined tooth and sinus infection, this can spread to your lymph nodes and your neck. From there your throat can become irritated, inflamed or even restrict breathing. These are obvious signs that a serious infection may be traveling in your bloodstream.
What pressure points drain sinuses? ›Acupresssure Point LI4: Located on your hand between the thumb and index finger, this pressure point can help relieve sinus congestion. Acupresssure Point LI 20: Located at the base of your nose, this pressure point can help relieve sinus pressure.
How do you relieve sinus pressure on your face? ›- A WARM COMPRESS. Putting a warm compress on your forehead and over your nose helps open the sinus passages to reduce the swelling.
- SALINE NOSE SPRAY. ...
- STEAM FROM A HOT SHOWER OR A BOWL OF HOT WATER. ...
- A HUMIDIFIER OR VAPORIZER. ...
- OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS.
Is it OK to go to the dentist with a sinus infection? ›
Yes, you can go to the dentist if you are sick. However, if you are throwing-up, have a fever, or if you are contagious, you should not visit the dentist.
What tooth is connected to sinus? ›Our upper teeth are linked very closely with the maxillary sinus. Many times the roots of these teeth hold up the lining of your sinus. When you lose one or more of your upper back teeth, your sinus lining can drop. Many people report the side of their nose with the lost tooth to feel more “stuffy” over time.
What is the best antibiotic for a sinus infection? ›The recommended choices are amoxicillin or amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate (Augmentin) for 5 to 10 days. Doxycycline is a good alternative for people with penicillin allergy, followed by levofloxacin or moxifloxacin.
What is the drug of choice for sinusitis? ›For most patients, we suggest initial empiric treatment with either amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate. We treat patients with risk factors for resistance with high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate.
Does ibuprofen help sinusitis? ›Pain caused by pressure buildup in the sinus cavities may be relieved with acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
What to massage when you have toothache? ›The ST6 pressure point is typically used to relieve mouth and tooth ailments. To find this point, you should clench your teeth together naturally. It's located halfway between the corner of your mouth and the bottom of your earlobe. It's the muscle that flexes when you press your teeth together.
Where do you massage for sinus pressure? ›Ethmoid Sinus Massage
With this massage, you want to place your index and middle fingers near your nose between your upper jaw and cheekbone and apply slight pressure. Move your fingers in a circular motion, then move toward the top of your nose. Slowly work your way down to the bottom of your nose.
Use a Warm or Cold Compress
Doing this helps warm the nasal passages, which in turn helps to loosen mucus. You can also place a cold compress on your forehead or eyes to help reduce sinus pressure. Alternating between warm and cold (three minutes warm, 30 seconds cold) may also prove helpful for sinus pain relief.
If your sinus infection lasts for about a week, it's usually due to a virus. Bacterial sinus infections, on the other hand, can persist for some time. They usually last for 10 days or longer. While viral infections usually start to get better after a few days, bacterial infections tend to get worse over time.