Is it a toothache or sinus pain?
Is it a toothache or sinus pain?
This is a question we often deal with as dentists. Especially at certain times of the year. For example, when the weather starts getting colder or when there is pollen in the air. It is quite common to have a patient come to us begging to have a painful tooth treated only to discover after some investigations that it is actually sinus pain. When this happens, no radical dental treatment is required. We do always check this thoroughly as the opposite is sometimes true. Pain in the sinus region above the roots of the teeth can certainly be caused by dental infections. Pinpointing the difference between a toothache and sinusitis is important for fast and effective treatment.
What are the symptoms of sinus inflammation or sinusitis?
Differentiating between sinus inflammation and a toothache can be difficult. This is because sinusitis can manifest a number of symptoms. Some of these being similar to a dental issue.
Symptoms of sinus inflammation and sinusitis include (1):
Aching in the jaw or teeth
Pain while biting or eating
Headaches
Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
These same symptoms can be associated with dental problems. Therefore, it’s easy to see why people confuse one type of pain for the other (2).
Additional symptoms which may be experienced in a sinus infection include (1):
Runny or stuffy nose
Drainage down the back of the throat
Pain and tenderness around the eyes
These symptoms are not generally present when it is a dental related ache. The reason it can feel like a toothache is because of where the nerves associated with the teeth are located. The nerves of the upper back teeth often travel close to the sinus cavities. Because of this, inflammation in the sinus can put pressure on these nerves which feels like tooth pain (2).
How will we diagnose the pain?
At our Coffs Harbour or Dorrigo clinics we can find out where the pain is coming from. Whether this be the sinus or the tooth. We do this using some simple tests. This includes a visual examination of the teeth and gums in the area and other tests such as x rays or ‘vitality’ tests to determine if the tooth is still alive. It is important to have a dental examination to eliminate a potential tooth cause if you’re unsure about the origin of pain in the sinus region. Some dental issues such as infection can spread quickly. This can cause you to feel unwell. If caught early, dental infections are much easier to treat. They also have a higher success rate for treatment to save the tooth if caught soon enough.
Treatment options
If it does turn out to be sinus pain, the good news is that the sinus is treatable. The best approach to this depends on what has caused the problem. We advise visiting your GP to help you find an appropriate treatment path. If it is allergy related, it’s best to remove yourself from the causative agent. Additionally, your GP may prescribe an antihistamine or similar. If it has been bothering you for longer than a few weeks it may be a bacterial infection. In this case antibiotics and or irrigation may be prescribed by your GP (3).
If you think you’re suffering from a toothache or sinusitis book a consultation with Dr Kate Amos, Dr Sam Rosehill, Dr Theresa Nevell or Dr James Taylor at Ethical Dental on 6652 3185 or see your GP.
To learn more about this topic, follow the links below:
(1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351661
(2) https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-oral-care/why-sinus-infection-tooth-pain-occurs
