Have you ever woken up with a severe toothache and clogged sinuses? If so, you should know that your sinuses and teeth are more aligned than one would think. In fact, the causes of tooth pain are often linked to sinusitis.
Sinusitis is an infection of the sinuses. It can be caused by a few reasons and oftentimes gets left untreated. However, leaving this infection untreated can cause a number of issues.
So keep reading to learn more about the connection between sinuses and teeth.
How Are My Sinuses and Teeth Connected?
The causes of tooth pain are affected by clogged sinuses! This happens because of the swelling and buildup of mucus in the sinuses. This swelling will cause pressure on the nerves which are directly connected to the roots of the teeth.
But how do you know if you’re having a sinus toothache or just a regular toothache caused by a dental problem?
For starters, if the pain is mainly on the upper teeth and back of the molars, it’s a sinus toothache. Here is more info on different dental problems associated with sinusitis!
What Is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is described as an irritating and inflamed paranasal sinus cavity. Which are the air cavities found in the face. However, toothaches happen when the maxillary sinuses become inflamed or swollen. These cavities are located in the cheek and above your teeth.
There are also two types of sinusitis: acute and chronic. Acute sinusitis is very short-term. Its usually caused by the common cold and mostly the nasal passages.
However, chronic sinusitis can lose for about 12 weeks or even longer. This kind of sinusitis will affect most facial cavities and will lead to toothaches.
If you’re not sure if you have sinusitis, here are some common side effects:
- Dark-colored mucus
- Clogged sinuses
- Nasal drippage
- Loss of smell or taste
- Hoarse voice
- Trouble breathing because of congestion
- Sensitivity around the face such as the nose and forehead
All of these are the most common signs of sinusitis. So if you have 3 or more of these signs, get treatment immediately!
Causes of Sinus Infections
Usually, sinusitis is caused by particles that directly inflame the delicate tissue around the sinuses. Here are some examples of what can cause sinusitis:
- Common cold
- Allergies
- Asthma complications
- Cigarette smoke
- Abnormal septum or nasal shapes
- Respiratory infections
Oftentimes, people with asthma are the ones that get sinusitis the most. This can be dangerous and even lethal if left untreated. So stay away from triggers such as smoke and certain allergy triggers.
How to Prevent Sinusitis
The best way to reduce sinus tooth pain is by clearing out the mucus area and reducing the inflammation. Here are some tips for reducing inflammation and clearing out the mucus area.
- Spicy food can help clear out the mucus area
- Drinking sugar-free fluids throughout the day will hydrate your sinuses
- A saline rinse can help flush out the contents of your sinuses
- Steam rooms or machines can help open your nasal cavities which will help the mucus clear out
Try these simple steps out before visiting your doctors. If symptoms worsen or don’t improve, schedule a visit with your doctor as soon as possible!
A Better Sleep Is Possible
Now that you know about the connection between sinuses and teeth, you can start your healing journey. An oxygen concentrator may provide all you need so no more sleepless nights and painful meals.
If you liked this article be sure to check out the rest of our informative content!
