As the name suggests, sinus toothache is a consequence of problems affecting sinuses (connected system of small, air-filled spaces located behind the cheekbones and forehead). It is usually not serious, but can be quite painful and may interfere with your daily activities. One of the common causes is sinus infection. The frequently asked question, how long does this discomfort ache take to go away?
Sinusitis (a.k.a sinus infection)
It is inflammation (swelling) of tissue lining the sinus cavities. And there are a number of causes of this inflammation such as due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. It may also be triggered by allergies or common cold.
Sinusitis is a quite common condition. It’s commonly considered as not-contagious disease, though if the infection is caused by virus or bacteria. But it’s still important for people with sinusitis to avoid direct contact with others who’re vulnerable to have the condition – such as elderly people, toddlers, or anyone with weakened body immune system.
The good news, it is mild in most cases. It rarely leads to serious problem. It usually responds to lifestyle measures (typically the treatment is nothing more than fluid and rest). Even in some cases, it may get better on its own without treatment.
However its symptoms can be very bothersome. The symptoms can vary, but the main ones are as follows:
- Nasal symptoms. These could be nasal congestion (obstruction) or nasal discharge (runny nose with thick, foul-smelling discharge from the nose – the discharge may also turn into yellow or green that signals the infection).
- Pressure or even pain over the affected sinuses such as around your face and eyes.
- Other symptoms include cough, fever, headache, persistent cold, decreased sense of smell, and bad breath,
The infection may also spread elsewhere in the skull such as brain, but this is very rare. Again, sinusitis is usually harmless and rarely leads to serious complications.
Sinus toothache
Toothache refers to ache or pain that occurs in or /and around the teeth. The main cause is tooth decay. And pain that you feel is usually as a result of when the dental pulp (the innermost layer of your tooth) becomes inflamed.
The dental pulp hosts sensitive nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, the inflammation in this layer can be painful. Besides tooth decay, there are a number of other conditions that can lead to the inflammation of dental pulp, these include:
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- An aggregation of pus at the end of the tooth (periapical abscess), which usually occurs due to bacterial infection.
- Receding gums, a condition in which the gums shrink, exposing more sensitive areas of the tooth root.
- Cracked tooth. It’s usually difficult to see this crack with naked eye.
There is also pain or ache similar to toothache that has nothing to do with your teeth. The pain can occur even though the dental pulp is not inflamed. It can arise from somewhere else. And this kind of toothache is what we’re talking about in this section. It can be a consequence of the following conditions:
- An aggregation of pus in the gums (periodontal abscess).
- Ulcers that occur on the gums.
- An injury that affects temporomandibular joint, essential joint that attaches the jaw to the skull.
People with sinusitis can also have pain similar to toothache, especially true if the inflammation affects sinuses that are close to the teeth – see the image below (credit to Mayo and WebMD).
If the inflammation of sinusitis does cause pain similar to toothache, it is likely to occur in the upper rear teeth (or around the upper jaw). The pain is less likely to affect the bottom teeth.
How long does sinus toothache usually take to go away?
Sinusitis can be more painful if it affects your upper jaw. This symptom can be one of the hardest things to deal with, but it is usually not serious and will not hurt your teeth.
“Sinus toothache should improve once the inflammation of the affected sinus relieves. How long does it last? The answer can vary, but typically it lasts a few days or weeks.
How long this symptom takes to go away may also be dependent on the following factors:
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- The kind of sinusitis that you have. Sinusitis can be acute and chronic. Chronic means the inflammation lasts longer (could be 8 weeks or longer). If it persists, so does your sinus toothache.
- What you have done to help relieve the inflammation quickly. The treatment (such as the use of antibiotic) is not always necessary for sinusitis. But there are plenty of home remedies to help cope with it and promote faster recovery.
- The strength of your immune system. If it works optimally, it will heal the infection more quickly.
But it’s also possible for toothache in people with sinusitis has nothing to do with their sinus inflammation. For more guidance, see a doctor or a dentist– particularly if the pain persists!
Your dentist can help diagnose possible dental causes of the pain. If the problem is not caused by a dental cause, it may be a result of something else such as sinus condition.
If you have sinus condition (such as sinusitis) and experience toothache (especially if the pain occurs in the upper teeth or around the upper jaw), you may have sinus toothache! This is particularly true if the pain occurs with other sinusitis symptoms (see the previous page).
What are the treatments? The kind of treatment you should take is dependent on the underlying cause. If the pain is linked to your sinusitis, the goal of the treatment is to relieve the sinus inflammation. These include lifestyle measures or medical intervention if required.
Since most cases of sinusitis (especially for acute sinusitis) resolve naturally, again self-care approaches (see here and here) are usually enough to cope with. Over-the-counter painkillers are also available to help ease the pain.
But if the symptoms last longer or even get worse, it’s much better to seek medical help promptly. Although sinusitis is commonly considered harmless, it can also lead to serious complications (in rare cases). See also warning signs and symptoms of dangerous sinus infection in here!