Also Known as a “Sinus Toothache”
Toothachescan occur for many reasons, most commonlytooth decayandgum disease.
But one cause you may not expect is the inflammation of the sinuses, known assinusitis.
For this reason, sinus-associated tooth pain is sometimes referred to as a “sinus toothache.”
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This article looks at the causes of toothache in people with sinusitis.
It also explains how sinusitis is diagnosed and treated so that you might get fast relief.
Sinusitis causes the sinuses and nasal passages to swell, narrow, and secrete excess mucus.
The nerve roots affecting the upper teeth and jaw are located near the sinuses.
When the sinuses are inflamed, the swollen tissues can compress these nerves.
This causes an aching pain in the upper teeth and jaw.
The back upper teeth are most commonly affected.
In certain cases, the pain may extend to the lower teeth and jaw.
That’s because of the web link of nerves that connect the upper jaw to the lower jaw.
you oughta treat underlying sinus inflammation.
OTC medication options include:
Prescription drug options include:
Are There Tests to Check for Sinusitis?
People with a sinus toothache will sometimes go to a dentist thinking they have a dental problem.
This is particularly true if your symptoms are severe, recurrent, or resistant to OTC treatments.
However, there are exceptions, particularly with regard to a severe sinus infection.
On occasion, the compression can also trigger referred nerve pain in the lower jaw and teeth.
Treating the underlying cause of sinusitis will almost always sort out the tooth pain.
In this case,functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)may be recommended.
FESS involves the insertion of a flexible scope with specialized tools into the nostril.
The surgeon will remove bone, diseased tissues, or polyps that may be blocking your sinuses.
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