There’s no worse experience than tooth pain. It can be a throbbing, aching feeling that radiates from your mouth to your jaw. Eventually a tooth pain can give you a terrible headache. If you’re really unlucky, your tooth pain can lead to nausea, migraines and joint pain.
But is the source of this pain simply your teeth? It’s important to get to the root cause of the problem. There is a chance that your tooth pain is caused by a blocked sinus. If you suffer from chronic nasal congestion as well as toothaches, the two might be related. Read ahead for valuable information that can help you in a dental emergency.
It’s time to stop letting tooth pain run your life. No more missed days at work and missing out on time with your friends and family! Stop suffering and get to the ‘root’ of the problem! If your tooth pain is caused by chronic nasal congestion, a natural sinus remedy can solve the problem.
Tooth pain caused by a blocked sinus. It’s explained in the anatomy.
First, we need to explain exactly what a sinus is and what it does. Your sinuses are empty cavities in your skull that are filled with air. Their general purpose is to warm the outside air before it reaches your lungs. Your sinuses are lined with a mucous membrane, a place where both friendly and unfriendly bacteria live.
This membrane can become inflamed and infected. If this happens, it can block the nasal passage, and the passage can become packed with mucous. Bacteria can then become trapped, and it will multiply and cause a sinus infection. This is painful and often results in a ‘bad taste’ in your mouth.
There are a few different types of sinuses in your head. Your maxillary sinuses are located inside your cheekbones, above your upper jaw. If you have an infection in your maxillary sinus, pressure starts to build and then it presses down on your jaw bones.
It makes sense that when you have a sinus toothache, it usually affects your upper back teeth. These are closer to your maxillary sinuses and are more prone to problems.
The roots of the pain? It is the roots of the upper molar teeth! They can be very close to the floor of your sinus cavity (sometimes even extending inside). The nerves of your roots will be affected by the swelling and pressure. Even though your teeth might be in good health, you will experience sensitive teeth. This is a sinus toothache, and it can be very painful. The longer the blocked sinus lasts, the greater the tooth pain.
Many people may think that their chronic nasal congestion is caused by allergies or a cold. If you have long-lasting nasal congestion, you should visit your doctor. Don’t ignore this symptom – it can lead to many problems in the future.
How can you tell if a blocked sinus is causing your toothache?
There’s one MAIN way to know if your tooth pain is due to blocked sinus.
Try bending over. Does the pain increase? If so, your tooth pain is caused by a sinus problem. The pressure shifts in your sinus when you bend over, causing pain in your teeth.
If you experience more pain when you bend over, your toothache is caused by a sinus infection. The pain might also increase right after you have a cold or flu, or when you are on an airplane.
If you have tooth pain related to a blocked sinus, you will experience certain symptoms. One of the main symptoms is that your face, jaw and nasal area will feel tender and sore. Many people describe the pain as a constant dull ache, rather than a sharp pain.
If you feel a sharp and increasing pain, you might have an abscess in your mouth. If you have an abscess, you need to seek treatment right away.
While most people feel their blocked sinus pain in their upper teeth, the ache can spread to the lower teeth as well. This is called ‘referred pain,’ and it is very common in the mouth. Your dentist or doctor can help to determine what is going on with your teeth and sinuses. Even if you feel pain in an unrelated tooth, they’ll be able to determine the real problem.
If any of these sound familiar, it is time to head to the doctor. An acute maxillary sinus infection can go unnoticed for a long time. It can be easily confused with chronic nasal congestion. Your doctor can tell you exactly what is wrong and help you to end the pain.
Deviated sinus symptoms and tooth pain
Do you suffer from chronic nasal congestion? Maybe you regularly suffer from sinusitis and sinus tooth pain? There is a chance that you have a deviated septum.
The nasal septum is the little bit of tissue that separates your nostrils. While a healthy septum runs down the center of the nose, this is not the case for most people. Almost 80% of us have a deviated septum. This means that one nostril is narrower than the other.
While this doesn’t cause problems for most people, for others it can difficulty breathing. A deviated septum can cause one nostril to become blocked. This can lead to chronic sinus infections.
Mucous in the narrow nostril can become thick and blocked, preventing proper drainage. This attracts bacteria and inflames your sinuses. If you have recurring sinus infections, you will likely suffer from tooth pain as a result.
Deviated septum symptoms can be painful and lead to tooth pain. Talk to your doctor about solutions to this problem.
How to treat tooth pain caused by a blocked sinus
Have your symptoms lasted more than a week? Are you suffering from severe tooth pain caused by a blocked sinus? If so, it is time to go to see the doctor. You and your doctor can discuss a treatment program. With their help, you can end your sinus infection and ease your toothache.
Your doctor is likely to prescribe you corticosteroid drops or a spray, and/ or an antibiotic. While sometimes these medicines are necessary, they may not ease your symptoms. If your tooth pain persists you should see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. At this point, they may want to discuss your surgical options.
Once you have cured the infection, it is time to start thinking about solving the problem for good.
Natural remedies for sinusitis
It’s normal to want to treat the current sinus infection quickly. That said, it is a good idea to get to the root of the problem. Treating your chronic nasal congestion can end your toothaches for good. This will let you get back to your normal life.
Once you treat the tooth pain, you can tackle your underlying problem. Here are some natural remedies for sinusitis:
- Flush your sinuses. Use a neti pot or a saline solution to flush your sinuses. This will also keep them moist.
- Do not over-use nasal sprays. Over the counter, nasal sprays are habit forming and can cause more problems than they solve.
- Try a bromelain supplement. Bromelain is an ingredient in pineapple stems and can help reduce swelling in the body. Check with your doctor before taking this supplement.
- Steam your face. Hot steam can really moisten your sinuses and loosen mucus. Try a hot shower or a steam tent.
- Drink a lot of water. Staying hydrated is key when it comes to a natural remedy for sinusitis.
- Spicy foods. Chili peppers, mustard, and horseradish can all help clear your sinuses.
- Try a humidifier. This will keep the air in your home moist and easy to breathe.
Cure your tooth pain today!
If you suffer from tooth pain caused by a blocked sinus, there are many treatments out there. By finding a way to ease your sinus pain, you can put a stop to your toothaches and get back to living your life.
Bookmark this article so that you can refer back to this valuable info, and subscribe to our newsletter.
Do you have any experiences living with chronic sinus pain and toothaches? Join the conversation and leave your comments below.
For more information on Dr. Lin’s clinical protocol that highlights the steps parents can take to prevent dental problems in their children: Click here.
Want to know more? Dr Steven Lin’s book, The Dental Diet, is available to order today. An exploration of ancestral medicine, the human microbiome and epigenetics it’s a complete guide to the mouth-body connection. Take the journey and the 40-day delicious food program for life-changing oral and whole health.
Click below to order your copy now:
US AMAZON
US Barnes & Noble
UK AMAZON
Australia BOOKTOPIA
Canada INDIGO
24 Responses
Hi, this is a very well-researched and informative post on the effects of blocked sinus on tooth pain. I really liked the Natural remedies that you have mentioned here to tackle this problem effectively. Great post. Keep up the good work!
An excellent summary and set of recommendations. Would that more dentists had dr. Lin’s confidence and ability to communicate
Can new dentures cause too much pressure and/or damage to the sinuses? My upper plate is so tight I can’t keep it in all day and it really pulls. Sometimes I get a headache
Hi,doctor
I am suffering from right side head,nose,upper teeth and ear pain since 2 years.i visited so many doctors but no one could find out any major problem .I was suffered from sinusitis 2 years before , it was treated but during that period I got my right side upper teeth pain.l don’t know what to do? Please doctor help me.
Hi, I would investigate sinus blockage, here’s an article outlining: https://www.drstevenlin.com/post-nasal-drip-bad-breath/
It is very essential to maintain a good oral hygiene through natural ways.
What about a Cpap macnine?
Can they cause infection?
Hi John, they are unlikely to cause infection, however it may cause pain or tooth sensitivity due to the pressure of air in the oral cavity.
I’ve had pain in the area between my ears and my neck for as long as I can remember (30+ years). I can’t go outside in wind or cold without using earmuffs because it causes that area to become “stiff” and ache. I never had ear tubes and am not even sure that would have solved the problem.
This past time, I went to the dentist and he gave me an antibiotic and at the end of the cycle apparently solved the problem until 2 days later. I don’t think I have an infection since the pain switches from my left to right lower jaw. I think the side that gets inflamed is the side that I sleep on.
A salt water rinse seems to help the pain (even though it tastes gross). Oragel or it’s generic helps a LOT with the topical pain.
When I don’t have inflammation, a lot of times I can “suck” blood from my gums. About a year ago and for a little bit over a year, I had nose bleeds that were pretty bad (not sure if that had anything to do with it).
How do you know if you need surgery or just have to deal with the symptoms when the sinuses are inflamed? This past inflammation affected the left side of my lower jaw which is a change – it usually happens on the lower right side. That may be why this time hurt so bad I went to see the dentist – maybe my gums have been stretched out on the right side but on the right side it was a new phenomenon.
I don’t sniff or snort any kind of drug, so I know that’s not an issue. The inside part – of my gums seem to get raw – almost as if what is in my mouth or in my gums is acidic. I also sometimes get bad heartburn, but I don’t know if it comes far enough in my esophagus to reach my mouth.
I wear a bite plate since I grind my teeth at night and when that happens, the pain is even worse. My tongue has basically healed, so the pain only seems to be in my teeth and gums.
I know this is a lot of information, but at least I’ve written it down in case I need to go to my doctor or ENT.
My teeth have been hurting, and my sinus pain has been out of control. Thank you for sharing that sinuses are lined with a mucous membrane, where they share bacteria! How important it is to take care of my teeth really came to light! I will need to find a dentist as soon as I can.
I have lived with chronic sinus pain for the past 27 years… basically its a sentence… i operate at 50 percent ever day due to the incessant pain i have to live through… its a dose… no cure.ive tried everything
A very well articulated piece. It helps me understand my toothache and sinuses more. I had a composite filling in November 2017 in my upper molar, but around January this year I started getting sensitivity and pain in the tooth, it was bearable in the beginning but it kept increasing with time, around April i went back to the dentist and had the fillings adjusted down a bit, the dentist said it was too close to the nerve that is why i was getting pain and sensitivity, she gave me a sensitive tooth paste and a month appointment that if I didn’t notice any change then I might need a root canal. But the pain stopped, but suddenly last week I started having intense pain like never before with headache, jaw and cheek pains, i saw another dentist who said i am having a sinus and I needed a root canal to stop the pain , i had it 2 days ago but i am still experiencing pain and my cheeks still hurts. I am on Augmentin as i am pregnant i cant take any drug.
Sounds like atypical trigeminal neuralgia. This starts as feeling like sinus pain, ear pain, or tooth pain. Most people undergo dental procedures that aren’t necessary.
Would Removing the teeth that have deep pockets causing the abscess,help relieve constant infections?
Thanks in Advance.
It should of Read Sinus infections.*
I’ve been having pain in one of my teeth lately, and I haven’t been sure why. It was really interesting to learn that my toothache could actually be caused by a blocked sinus. I get sinus infections pretty frequently, so I’ll definitely look into seeing a specialist to see what can be done about this.
I had an abscess on top back wisdom tooth two weeks ago so dentist removed tooth as he said was overfilled anyway. Since I’ve had pain on that side of my face and back of my head. Two days ago, following a long haul flight I developed pain and another abscess on opposite upper back tooth. As away from home am taking amoxycillan until I get and have tooth removed as it also has deep filling. Pain again is on side of face and jaw and I feel this is sinus related. What do you think.?
Very informative, Dr. Lin. See, I got back from my dentist after a sharp terrible pain in my lower right molars. I was informed my nerves had died and needed a root canal – fine. I was given antibiotics because there was noticeable inflammation; what was weird was that a day or so later I got a really weird numbing throb in my upper left molars, left cheekbones, and gums. Could have been the bacteria spreading?
Turns out I hadn’t factored in my throbbing left hand maxilliary sinuses. Bending over increases the throbbing in these upper left teeth. I think it was simply coincidence that I got two toothaches at once.
I have seen my dentist regarding toothache to a left lower molar it has a long time filling but x ray shows tooth ok no need to pull but he did drill a small hole and inserted some antiseptic and put me on penicillin but tooth still ache i do have cataghaar and sinus trouble would a nebulizer help to ease my sinus with a saline ? i have used a toothbrush most of my life at 84 but changed to electric would this make a difference and why i have this tooth ache
I was surprised to read about how there is a chance that your tooth pain is caused by a blocked sinus. It makes sense that this could be a possibility because it is in the same area! I am going to look into finding a dentist near me so they could examine my tooth and find the root of the problem. Since I’ve never been to the dentist before, this could actually be a cavity!
Hi, I just finished at the emergency dental office for what I was sure was an infected tooth, but after xrays and a thorough exam, turns out that my sinus is the cause of this horrible pain. The one key to the dentist ruling out an unseen tooth issue… The increase in pain when I bend over or lie down. Your article hit the nail on the head there, so thank you! I’ve always suffered from sinus infections, as I have a genetic immune deficiency which prevents me from making antibodies, but this is my first maxillary sinus issue. The pain is very different and i don’t have the standard mucous coloring I usually see, but i was prescribed an antibiotic and hopefully my face will see some much needed pain relief after 9 days. Thank you again for this very informative article!
My first problem with my teeth arose when I was only 8 or 9 years old. I had my first root canal. It was done poorly and scared me so bad I didn’t go back to the dentist till a few years ago. I still panic and get nervous when I go now. I have to fight the urge to cancel every time. Now on top of that my first polyp was found when I was 14 years old. It finally went down with medications. I still to this day have chronic sinus problems. I have now had dental work done on almost all my mollars. Are these connected? I hurt all the time. The pain from my sinus infections are often unbearable. I’m afraid to get the last set of mollars fixed next week due to where the sinus pressure will go next.
Thank you for this article! Very informative! I had discussed this issue with my dentist and he thought pain in lower teeth and sinus infection are two different issues and are not connected. I appreciate the information provided in this article.
Hi Ani!
Thank you so much for your kind words, we appreciate your support immensely! We hope it helps.
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com