Sinuses are air filled cavities inside the human skull; a
healthy sinus is filled with air and a small amount of thin mucus that drains
away continuously. An infection or inflammation is causing the lining to swell,
blocking the drainage. The sinus gets clogged with mucus trapping bacteria that
continue to multiply inside and results in sinus congestion.
Experiencing a toothache in the upper teeth is fairly common when having sinus
problems, although there may not actually be a problem with any tooth. We refer
to this throbbing toothache as a sinus toothache. Maxillary sinuses, which are
located inside each cheekbone above the upper jaws, are mostly related to the
sinus toothaches. The roots of the upper molar teeth in the back of the jaw may
be too close to the floor of the maxillary sinus cavity. In some cases they may
even extend into the sinus cavity.
What causes a sinus infection toothache?
Inflammation of the mucous lining of the sinuses can be caused by several
conditions but the most common causes of a sinus infection toothache are:
- the common cold
- allergies
- pollutants and tissue irritants
- A quick test: jump on your feet and if there is a sinus infection, the sudden movement of fluid in the maxillary cavity will cause a throbbing pain in one or more upper teeth.
- Another test: sit down with your knees apart, bend over and put your heat between your knees, stay in this pose for several seconds. If you get headache, there is a great deal of congestion and sinus infection.
Unfortunately, wrong diagnosing a sinus toothache as a tooth problem, will not
only lead to an unnecessary dental treatment but will also delay the treatment
of the sinus inflammation and allow it to become a serious and hard to cure
case of sinusitis.
The only way to treat a sinus toothache is to fight the sinus infection and
relieve the pressure. When the infection is treated and the accumulated fluids
are drained out of the sinus cavities, the pain should subside and disappear
without requiring further treatment.
Some remedies such as steam inhalation and nasal sprays that keep the nasal tissues moist and allow the sinus to easily drain through the nose can relieve the pressure in the nasal passages and help ease the pain in your teeth.
If the other symptoms of the sinus problem subside but the toothache continues, there was probably a dental problem simultaneously with the sinusitis, and you have to visit your dentist for dental treatment.