Sinus Tooth Pain: Causes and Home Remedies in 2024

BY Dr. McDowell  |  November 24th, 2020
Dr. McDowell
Dr. McDowell has always been focused on using the latest technology to improve the patient experience. From radiation-free imaging to laser dentistry, he has always been ahead of the curve and is dedicated to improving the practice of dentistry one ..

Do you have a sinus infection that’s started to cause tooth pain?

Sinus infection tooth pain is a very real condition that Mayo Clinic has done research and concluded that your upper teeth could experience pain caused by a sinus infection.

male client sitting in dental chair holding mouth from sinus tooth pain

Sinus Tooth Pain 101:

While it’s not all that common for patients with sinus infections to experience severe tooth pain, it does happen often enough that we receive questions about it from time to time. And unfortunately, sinus infection tooth pain isn’t something that can be treated in the same ways that a traditional toothache would be treated.

If you’re experiencing a more traditional toothache, visit this guide: Emergency Toothache Relief: 5 Tips and Tricks to Numb the Pain.

Causes of Sinus Infection Pain

clean bathroom counter with toilet paper holder; sinus tooth pain

To understand what causes tooth pain during a sinus infection, you’ll need first to understand how sinus infections work. Quite simply, your sinuses are the part of your body that warms the air that comes into your body, and that helps to keep your throat and nose working. Sinuses create mucus and other similar properties that help to keep your body working as it should. When fluids build up in your sinus cavities or are unable to drain properly you may begin to experience what we call a sinus infection.

A sinus infection is often what we call a bad cold. When sinus pressure builds, and your head feels full, you’re most likely experiencing a sinus infection. As a sinus infection worsens, you may begin to experience pain in your teeth. We’re calling this sinus infection tooth pain or a sinus toothache. If you’ve ever experienced a sinus infection or a stuffy nose, you probably never want to feel those things again. But, couple that with a sinus toothache, and you’ll likely be wishing you could lay in bed for a month straight.

Sinus Toothache vs Regular Toothache

How can you know if your toothache is being caused by sinus pressure or if it’s a regular toothache? Well, there are a few telltale signs. One of the biggest ways to know if you have a sinus toothache is that it will mainly cause pain on the top of your mouth and mostly in your molars. Additionally, it will affect more than one tooth at once. A regular toothache is often caused by just one tooth, and because of that, you’ll likely only feel the pain in that one tooth and not all of the surrounding teeth.

A regular toothache will cause much more focused and intense pain. It won’t feel like a dull ache or annoyance, but instead, it will feel like a throbbing. The pain from a regular toothache caused by dental problems will likely grow worse over time and may even lead to your needing to have your dentist pull that tooth from your mouth.

Symptoms of a Sinus Infection

Viral colds and other illnesses often accompany sinus infections. Here are some of the symptoms you can expect from a sinus infection:

You’ll likely not experience all of these symptoms at one time, but if you’re experiencing more than one, then it’s likely that you have some type of sinus condition or sinus infection, causing tooth pain.

Home Remedies for Sinus Infections

warm tean and fresh honey in a pot; sinus tooth pain

The best way to get rid of sinus tooth pain is by trying to get rid of your sinus infection and clearing your nasal passages so that your body’s health can go back to normal. Obviously, there are over-the-counter medications and antibodies you can take to fight off the infection. But, if you’re like us, you also like to try natural ways to get rid of the infection.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated when sick is a no-brainer! Without keeping your body full of the fluids it needs, it will take a lot longer for your body to recover properly. Drink plenty of water to help your body flush out all of the fluid that’s built up in your nasal cavities. As that fluid begins to lesson, you’ll notice your sinus infection improving and your toothache.

Use Steam

Whenever you’re experiencing sinus problems, steam is a great way to help get your sinuses flowing again. How you choose to breathe in steam is completely up to you! Some people choose to take hot showers or baths. Both of these ways work great for breathing in steam. You can also breathe in steam by purchasing a humidifier or other similar item that helps to make the room you’re in have a higher level of humidity.

Woman doing steam inhalation at home to soothe and open nasal passages; sinus tooth pain

Try a Sinus Flush

All-natural sinus flushing has become more and more popular over the last few years. Many people have great experiences using products like the Neti Pot to flush out their sinuses and remove excess mucus. Using a Neti Pot will often work well for removing mucus, but it can be fairly uncomfortable. Some people might find the Neti Pot too uncomfortable and not worth the benefits it offers.

Limit Decongestant Nasal Spray

While you might want to use a nasal decongestant spray to help your sinus infection, you’ll want to limit the use of products like this. Decongestant sprays work well for short periods of time, but they won’t offer lasting benefits, and your body can build up an immunity to them over time.

Contact Wayzata Dental For Professional Help!

We hope that you’ve found all of these tips helpful! Having sinus tooth pain can definitely be an irritating problem, but thankfully it won’t last forever, and you won’t have to get any dental work done. If you’re experiencing a regular toothache, then we encourage you to visit our office for an oral screening. By visiting the dentist, you’ll be able to know what the cause of the tooth pain is and how it can be treated. Wayzata Dental offers services such as Laser Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Restorative & Preventative services.

smiling woman sitting in dental chair giving thumbs up; sinus tooth pain

Dr. McDowell
Dr. McDowell has always been focused on using the latest technology to improve the patient experience. From radiation-free imaging to laser dentistry, he has always been ahead of the curve and is dedicated to improving the practice of dentistry one ..