Do you know what to do when a sinus infection makes your toothache? Every year millions of adults suffer the pain of sinus infections, and knowing how to relieve tooth pain from sinus pressure can be a godsend.
In this article, we’ll explain why sinus infections can lead to aches in your jaw, gums and/or teeth, share some tips for pain relief, and discuss when it’s time to seek professional help.
Why Do Sinus Infections Cause Tooth Pain?
Sinus infections cause tooth pain when your sinus cavities become inflamed and congested, resulting in pressure on your nasal canal and upper teeth. The pain might be felt in a single tooth or in multiple teeth in your upper jaw depending on which of your teeth are in close proximity to your sinuses.
Tips To Relieve Tooth Pain From Sinus Pressure
Knowing how to relieve tooth pain from sinus pressure can prove invaluable. Here are some of the best ways to alleviate the symptoms and pain of a sinus infection without prescription medication.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking lots of fluids and staying hydrated helps thin out the mucus in your sinus so it can drain. The less mucus you have blocking up your sinus, the less sinus pressure and tooth pain you may experience. So make sure you’re drinking up and staying hydrated!
On the other hand, dehydration can lead to thicker mucus buildup, which can cause blockages in your sinus, leading to more sinus pressure and tooth pain.
Inhale Steam
Steam is a great natural way to help decongest a sinus blockage. The steam works by thinning and loosening mucus so it can easily drain from the sinus cavities. The warm moisture from the steam can also help to soothe sinus inflammation and tissues around your sinus.
There are a number of ways you can use steam inhalation to help relieve sinus pressure. The simplest is to take a warm shower or bath and breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose for 5-10 minutes.
Nasal Irrigation
There are many forms of nasal irrigation available. Most involve a container filled with a sterile saline solution designed to rinse mucus or allergens from your sinus cavities. When the sinuses are cleared, you’ll notice less sinus pressure which may help reduce any sinus-related tooth pain.
Warm Compress
Resting a warm compress (a clean dishcloth soaked in warm water) across your nose and cheekbones can be a very effective way to thin out the trapped mucus blocking your sinus. Thinning out the tapped mucus helps the sinuses drain, reducing sinus pressure and, in turn, reducing tooth pain.
The warmth from the compress can also help widen blood vessels in and around your sinus, increasing blood flow to the area. This can help accelerate your body’s natural ability to heal as well as reduce swelling and inflammation.
Decongestants and Expectorants
The key to relieving a sinus-related toothache is to decongest your nasal cavity and reduce sinus pressure. A decongestant, such as decongestant nasal sprays, works by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your nose, helping to open up the airways. Expectorants, on the other hand, work by loosening and thinning mucus so it can be easily drained from your sinus.
It’s important to note that both decongestants and expectorants may be very helpful at alleviating the symptoms of a sinus infection and resulting tooth pain. However, they won’t address the root cause of the infection. If your symptoms persist, it’s important to see your healthcare professional.
When To Seek Professional Help
Understanding how to help reduce tooth pain from sinus pressure at home is beneficial, but it’s just as important to know when to seek professional help.
If your symptoms are severe, persistent, or get worse over time, it’s best to seek professional help. This could be a dentist, especially if the tooth pain is significant, or a doctor who can diagnose and treat the sinus infection. Common signs it’s time to seek help include:
- A fever lasting longer than two days.
- Severe pain or sinus pressure that continues even after trying some of the above tips for relief.
- Symptoms lasting for more than a week without improvement.
In many cases a sinus infection will go away on its own if you can manage symptoms with home remedies. However, if you’re experiencing tooth pain it’s worth visiting a dentist to rule out any dental problems as the cause. Don’t hesitate to book a consultation with the friendly team at Beaches Dental Mona Vale. We’ll make sure your teeth are in tip-top shape and diagnose whether the tooth pain is related to your sinus or not.
