Can A Sinus Infection Be Confused For A Toothache?
by Dr. Rita Dargham D.M.D.
Read Can A Sinus Infection Be Confused For A Toothache? by Dr. Rita Dargham D.M.D. to learn more about Grove Smiles® Dentistry and our Dentistry office in Coconut Grove, FL.
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It hurts. That is all you can comprehend as you hold your face in pain. The pain is genuine, but you are unsure where to seek help as it could be in your sinuses; but what if it is a toothache?
What Is A Sinus Infection?
Your sinuses are a network of hollow chambers in your skull that let air through before it gets to your lungs so that they can be warmed and humidified. Usually, your body has a mechanism that keeps your sinuses clean, but the bacteria can get out of control and cause an infection in some instances. In some situations, a sinus infection can feel like a toothache. It is less common, but a dental abscess or an infection can affect your sinuses.
Do I Have Sinus Pain Or A Toothache?
Although issues with your teeth generally cause toothaches, it is important to note that the parts adjacent to your teeth, such as the maxillary sinuses, can mimic a toothache.
In colder weather, many patients come to the office, mistaking a sinus infection for a toothache. A common symptom is they feel their teeth ache when they walk around or move. They have also had a history of a recent cold or flu. Our examinations, which include a dental x-ray, will conclude that it is a sinus infection if the sinus region presents as “cloudy” but the tooth is healthy.
If it is a sinus infection, it may be treated in various ways, including humidifiers, nasal sprays, antibiotics, or decongestants.
However, toothaches could point to something serious, so it is best to make sure nothing serious is present by consulting with your dentist first.
Sometimes the issue is related to our upper teeth.
Our upper teeth are linked very closely with the maxillary sinus. Often the roots of these teeth hold up the lining of your sinus. When you lose one or more of your upper back teeth, your sinus lining can drop. Many people report the side of their nose with the lost tooth feeling more “stuffy” over time.
If you have experienced the loss of upper teeth or notice bizarre changes within your sinuses, we recommend you make an appointment to help you find the root cause of the concern. From there, we will build a recommendation to achieve desired results and improve your pain-free quality of life.
We Can Help!
Are you in doubt about what is causing your discomfort?
Our amazing dental team at Grove Smiles Dentistry in Coconut Grove, FL, can determine whether or not your sinus has dropped from a simple dental x-ray. A dental x-ray can go a long way in uncovering the source of your nagging pains. If the drop is the source of your pain, our expert team can administer dental implants and a sinus lift to move the sinus lining back up and push out settled debris. Wonderfully patients often report better breathing after a sinus lift procedure and no more “toothaches”!
So don’t delay. Our team is ready to help!
For Your Health,
Dr. Rita Dargham D.M.D.
