Pain as a result of sinus pressure is usually felt in the weirdest locations such as the teeth, and the ear, and can even result in severe headaches in some people. Tooth pain from sinus pressure is usually scary initially before the diagnosis is made especially due to the inability to trace the exact cause of the pain.
It is usually accompanied by insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, difficulty with chewing, and other symptoms a patient with sinus issues will complain about.
Due to the difficult nature of the illness and the slow response to treatment, most patient experience loss of function and inability to concentrate at work for months or weeks.
Brief Anatomy Of The Sinus Cavity
There are quite several sinuses at different locations of the body, when they are found on the face around the nose, they are otherwise termed paranasal sinuses, when they saw in the brain, they are called dural venous sinuses.
The diseased sinus in question for this discussion are four pairs, that is eight air-filled cavities located on the facial bones seen around the eyes, the forehead, and the posterior, that is, at the back of the cheekbones. The major function of the sinuses is to filter the air coming into the nasal cavity by keeping the air moist and warm and also to secrete mucus.
Anything that will cause the sinus cavities to block will predispose it to an infection and such cases are common in coughing and continuous/vigorous blowing of the nose.
The upper palate, the roof of the gum above, and the jaw bones are closely related to the sinus cavities, this explains the referred pain felt at teeth when there is a sinus infection. This toothache from sinus pressure, in severe cases often radiates to the lower teeth.
How To Differentiate Tooth Pain From Sinus Pressure From Other Types Of Tooth Pains
Sinusitis occurs when there is an inflammation of the sinus cavities, and one of the clinical markers is a sudden onset of toothache in a patient already manifesting signs of sinus cavity disease(s). However, regardless, it is very important to have an accurate diagnosis and be sure the tooth pain in question is secondary to a sinus infection.
When sinus infection is the reason behind tooth pain, it is usually felt in multiple teeth and not just one tooth. And this is because when the sinuses are congested, it exerts pressure on more than one tooth at a time, especially clustered ones and that is why the pain is felt more in molars and premolars, behind the mouth.
Aside from pains in the teeth, to further buttress that the tooth pain is a result of sinus pressure, you can also experience the following symptoms:
- Nasal drip
- Post nasal drip
- Pain and heavy sensations in the eyes
- Painful forehead, sometimes described as a frontal headache in some patients
- Loss of sense of smell, anosmia.
- Loss of sense of taste
- Tenderness of the ears when touched
- Sore throat
- Mucus is characterized by thickness in consistency and discoloration.
However, when tooth pain occurs isolatedly without any of the following symptoms, your doctor will need to investigate you further to get a detailed diagnosis.
Tips On How To Relieve Tooth Pain From Sinus Pressure
If you have tooth pain as a result of sinus pressure or an infection, the main target is to decongest your sinus for quick relief. The following are fast tips to help relieve pain from sinus pressure:
Adequate hydration
The fastest remedy to getting better is to adequately rehydrate yourself. Drinking enough water will help to thin the thick mucus that congested the sinuses causing pressure.
Aside from frequent hydration, you should take warm water because the steam helps to open up blocked sinuses thereby draining out the contents. Therefore, a hot water bath or steam inhalation is highly recommended.
Spicy foods
Studies have revealed that spicy foods contain mucus-thinning features that can help decongest blocked sinuses thereby relieving the pressure effects on the teeth. Hence, it is advised during this time that you consume spicy foods such as meals containing chili peppers.
Although not all spicy foods are ideal to decongest the sinuses, hence you should check with your doctor first to be sure you are taking the ideal meal.
Head position
The best head position for you when you have tooth pain from sinusitis is by tilting your head to allow for the drainage of the mucus conveniently.
Use an expectorant and a decongestant
You need to decongestant your sinuses to help you feel better. A good decongestant will help in the constriction of the vascular vessels to permit the free flow of air through the nose, while an expectorant will help in the clearance of the mucus while also reducing its secretion.
Some of the expectorants and decongestants can be gotten over the counter, however, if there is no relief of symptoms after a few days of using, you should report to your doctor.
Diet
Studies reveal that an appropriate diet containing anti-inflammatory substances will help to heal sinusitis. Once the sinuses are cured, the pressure effects will be gotten rid of and this includes tooth pain.
Examples of anti-inflammatory food are:
- Fatty foods, containing omega-3 fatty acids
- Olive oil
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Berries, like strawberries and blueberries
- Tomatoes
It is sometimes difficult to maintain good oral health when you have tooth pains especially when it is affecting multiple teeth in conditions like sinusitis. There are modern toothbrushes designed to take care of sensitive teeth in this kind of situation.
Oclean is an ultramodern company that makes and sells sonic electric toothbrushes, these are smart toothbrushes that help to make brushing your teeth better and you should brush them at least twice daily. You should try out the excellent, tested, and trusted Oclean’s sonic electric toothbrush.
