Can Toothache Cause Sinusitis
If you have ever been affected by either toothache or Sinusitis, you will know that both issues alone are not nice to deal with. When combined, associated pain will be even higher. A common misconception is that even if a patient struggles with both forms of discomfort, both problems are disconnected. As experts in all things dental care, we wanted to shed some light on how toothache can impact sinus problems, which we will detail in this article.
Keep on reading to learn about the connection between these issues and how to treat toothache quickly to eradicate any discomfort.
Is It Possible for Toothache to Affect the Sinuses?
As previously shared in our article about how toothache can result in ear pain, it is possible for dental discomfort to affect more than just a patient’s mouth. This is the reason why it is indeed possible for tooth pains to cause sinus issues. Sinuses are small hollow spaces in the skull which are intended to allow airflow through the head. When these holes get blocked or inflamed, uncomfortable issues are caused which mean that health issues can arise.
Not only can toothache result in Sinusitis in some cases but the problem works both ways as sinus issues can also lead to new pains being experienced in your teeth. This means that tooth problems are in fact one of the main causes of sinusitis in patients alongside other causes such as flu, allergies and bacterial infections.
If the root cause of the health woe is not treated rapidly and professionally, it can lead to long-lasting discomfort.
What Are the Main Symptoms of Sinusitis?
If a toothache has led to issues with the sinuses, treatment can become more complex as multiple health problems are experienced. Although dental issues are often easily noticed by many, for some, the cause of the concern is not always something picked up quickly enough to alleviate impacts on the sinuses. This means that as well as being aware of signs of toothache, understanding the symptoms of sinusitis is also essential for highlighting when an issue has arisen.
The main symptoms to be aware of are as follows:
- Any changes to the nose and/or breathing, including stuffiness, drips, or pain.
- Pressure arises in the face, which is concentrated around the nose and central areas.
- Ear pain, pressure or changes in hearing.
- A fever results in a raised temperature, shivers, and sweat.
- Bad breath is caused by a block in the normal sinus activity, which can cause bacteria to build up.
- A cough or dry throat.
- Fatigue makes conducting daily tasks more difficult than usual.
What Are the Main Dental Problems That Can Cause Sinusitis?
While many people know the causes that can result in toothaches, such as stress or bad hygiene, we wanted to highlight what dental issues are the main culprits for causing sinus issues.
Dental problems can result in all forms of sinusitis, including chronic, acute, and recurrent diagnoses. The following dental problems are some of the main causes, so it’s essential for patients to be mindful of their sinus health should these problems occur.
New Teeth (i.e Wisdom Teeth)
When new teeth develop and start to move into their intended position, pain is common. The most common example in adults is wisdom teeth, which typically develop during the mid-20s. Because wisdom teeth can result in pressure being placed on other teeth, the jaw, and gums, it’s common for such pains to put pressure on sinuses.
Although not as common, discomfort caused by other dental procedures associated with new teeth, such as braces or dentures, can also lead to swelling that impacts the sinuses.
Dental Abscesses and Infections
Another cause of sinusitis is dental infections, especially abscesses. These unwanted issues are caused when an area of the tooth gets infected and results in a wider area of contamination, which leads to a swollen mass filled with pus. If any form of oral infection is not treated properly or quickly enough, it can lead to sinus issues, as swelling in the upper jaw will spread further.
Patients that have also recently undergone a tooth extraction also need to be mindful as it can take a little while for newly created holes to close. If the area is not kept clean or regularly checked by professionals, it can lead to issues affecting sinuses.
Pressure Cause by Tooth Impactions
An impacted tooth refers to when a new tooth has not yet moved into the correct position. For some patients, this can mean that teeth are stuck for prolonged periods of time under the gumline which puts pressure on the sinus cavities.
As force is being experienced for a long amount of time, swelling in the sinuses is caused. When this results in proper airflow not being possible for a while, sinusitis is likely to occur.
Injury to the Teeth or Gums
Another circumstance in which toothache can result in sinusitis is if the pain is being caused by an injury to teeth or gums. Just like the other issues already shared, anything that causes swelling, which results in pain, places pressure on the sinuses.
Additionally, if injuries then lead to germs being spread into the sinuses, an infection will likely arise.
How Should Toothache Resulting in Sinusitis Be Treated?
Our main piece of advice when discussing the impact of toothache on sinusitis is to act quickly. Also, as with any other form of infection, prevention is one of the best forms of treatment so being mindful of what can lead to sinusitis is vital.
If you find yourself in this scenario, the problem needs to be treated as the root cause. Most toothaches don’t just go away on their own, so seeking professional support from a dental expert is essential. Even though some home-hacks, such as using bonejal for swelling, can work, there are not any at-home treatments that can be replicated that a dental professional would carry out. It’s not recommended that anyone visits A&E with a toothache as medical professionals in these settings are not trained to manage dental issues. While they may be able to prescribe an antibiotic for sinus issues or even an oral infection, a dentist will need to treat the cause of the toothache itself.
A toothache can be classed as an emergency when it comes to seeking a dental appointment so always be sure to contact your local practice as quickly as possible. As an emergency dental office in Manchester, we commonly help patients with problems causing toothache which means that sinus issues can be eliminated.
Once the cause of a toothache has been found and treated, if sinus issues still remain, extra support should be found for this. As mentioned, if sinusitis is left untreated, it can impact teeth, resulting in discomfort, meaning some patients can find themselves in an unwanted spiral of pain when the right treatments are not found.
What Services Are Available From Didsbury Dental Practice for Toothache?
If you have a sudden or prolonged toothache, the team at Didsbury Dental Practice is the people to contact if you are local to the Manchester area. We are known for our rapid treatment of dental issues, even for those who are not registered as patients with us. Our professionals are well-versed in offering support for people struggling with dental and sinus-related issues.
As well as offering emergency support for toothache and other dental issues, we also offer a wide collection of services including tooth extractions, dental hygiene checks, cosmetic dentistry, implants and restorative treatments. To make dental treatment accessible for all budgets, we also offer various payment plans and a transparent pricing structure so that no nasty surprises arise.
If you are experiencing a toothache or any other dental problems, please contact our team today to book a visit.
