People may be unable to sleep because of a constant pounding they are experiencing in their temples and cheeks. When they go to sit up, the dull headache they have begins to sharpen. The pain then quickly travels down their jaw and into their ear. The intense pain they are experiencing causes their teeth to throb. It seems as if the pain will not go away. This is when many people believe they are facing a serious dental problem. Before they make an appointment with their dentist, they should consider that sinus inflammation could be the cause of their problem.

Sinus Toothache

People with these symptoms should take stock of their tooth pain. Should this pain be isolated to their upper teeth, and especially their back molars, there is a high probability they are experiencing a sinus toothache. These occur from the mucus swelling and buildup in their sinuses. When this happens, pressure is put on the nerves that go to the roots of a person’s top teeth. The reality is they’re not having an issue with their teeth, the tooth pain they are experiencing is a symptom of having sinusitis.

Sinusitis

This condition is most commonly referred to as a sinus infection. It is the uncomfortable inflammation of a person’s nasal sinuses. These are the air cavities located in an individual’s face. Maxillary sinus swelling is the reason for a sinus toothache. There are two main forms of sinusitis.

Chronic Sinusitis – This is long-term sinus inflammation. It can last for up to 12 weeks and even longer.

Acute Sinusitis – This is a short-term swelling of a person’s nasal passages. It is common for this to be experienced as a side effect of having a cold.

Irritating Symptoms

Sinusitis can result from a person experiencing anything that causes the sensitive tissue of their sinuses to become inflamed. This can include many different things.

• Asthma complications
• Viral infections such as a cold
• Pollutants in the air such as cigarette smoke
• Respiratory Infections
• Structural abnormalities like nasal polyps, deviated septum, and more.

Healing

In order for a person to eliminate their sinus toothache, they will have to remove the mucus and decrease the inflammation in their sinuses. Once the inflammation is eliminated, there will no longer be any pressure on the nerves leading to the teeth.

Diet – Some spicy foods can thin mucus. This includes garlic, black pepper, and others.
Sleep – The human body will need downtime to repair itself from sinusitis.
Saline Rinse – Flush the nose with a nebulizer, neti pot using distilled water, or purified tap water.
Steam – Breathing in steam can open up a person’s nasal passages and permit mucus to drain.

It is common for a sinus infection to go away with little or no effort. If a person’s attempts to resolve their sinusitis do not help after a week or more, it could be time to speak with a physician.

Schedule an Appointment

The Associates of Otolaryngology are known for providing their patients with optimum ear, nose, and throat health. They have three locations located in Denver, Lone Tree, and Castle Rock. Schedule a consultation. Go online and fill out a contact form today.