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Have you ever had a sinus toothache? If you have, you know how uncomfortable, distracting and painful they can be. Fortunately, tooth pain caused by sinus pressure or pain can usually be relieved significantly with proper at-home care.
*Note: If you are suffering from extreme tooth pain of any kind, or tooth pain that lasts for more than 12-18 hours, please visit your dentist as soon as possible so that they can determine and treat the root cause before the condition worsens.
Sinus Toothaches vs. Standard Toothaches
Not sure if you have a sinus toothache, or if your tooth pain is caused by something else? Though they can be easy to mistake for each other, there are some distinct differences between the two.
Sinus toothaches are usually characterized by a throbbing ache radiating across several upper molars, as well as pain or pressure on both sides of the face around the nose, eyes and/or cheeks.
To contrast, toothaches caused by dental issues are usually characterized by sharp pain localized in a single tooth, and increased sensitivity in that tooth to hot and cold temperatures. Check out our blog post to learn more about the differences between toothaches caused by sinusitis, vs. toothaches caused by dental issues.
If you think your toothache is caused by a dental issue, please visit your dentist. If your tooth pain is caused by sinus pressure or pain, you can try the below home remedies for relief.
Tips For Relieving Sinus Toothaches At Home
Why does sinus pain sometimes cause toothaches? A primary sinus passageway called the maxillary sinus is located above our upper molars. When our sinuses become inflamed, they swell and put pressure on the nerves of those same teeth. Our home care tips are geared towards reducing inflammation and sinus pressure, which in turn helps to relieve sinus toothaches.
Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help thin out mucus and decrease pressure and blockages in the sinuses. Warm drinks like tea or hot water can be especially beneficial and soothing.
Steam can open up your sinuses and help them drain, so take a hot shower or steam your face!
Use a humidifier to help thin and loosen mucus, and moisturize and calm irritated airways.
Use a warm compress. Placing a warm towel over your eyes, nose and cheeks can warm your nasal passages and loosen secretions.
Eat spicy foods if you can tolerate them! Many people find that eating foods with hot peppers or hot mustard helps open up their nasal passages.
Hum. It might sound like a weird remedy, but a study has shown that humming can keep sinuses clear by increasing airflow through the sinuses, which increases the level of nitric oxide in your sinuses – which helps fight off sinusitis.
Nasal irrigation systems like Neti pots and nasal sprays can help a great deal in relieving sinus pressure and pain. When used correctly, they can be quite effective at rinsing out your sinuses, loosening and draining thick mucus, and relieving nasal symptoms.
Elevate your head while sleeping; it can help you breathe easier and decrease mucus buildup in your sinuses.
Get plenty of rest. Getting good quality and quantity of sleep is incredibly important for helping your body recover from inflammation, including inflamed sinuses.
Understand the limits of home remedies. Home remedies can be quite effective for mild sinus pressure and pain, or sinus pain related to allergies or the common cold. But home remedies can only go so far with serious illnesses. Please visit a doctor if you are experiencing severe pain or any of the following symptoms of sinus infection:
Discolored mucus discharge
Fever
Pain exceeding 24 hours
Confusion or excessive fatigue
Numbness or tingling
Stiff neck
Nausea or vomiting
We hope our tips help you find relief from your sinus pressure and toothaches! As always, we recommend visiting your dentist for extreme or unusual tooth pain, or for pain that lasts for more than 12-18 hours.
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