Can sinusitis cause toothache? Telling sinus pain from tooth pain
Yes, sinusitis can cause toothache. The roots of the upper molars and premolars sit very close to the sinus, so when the sinus is inflamed you can feel aching and pressure in these teeth. Sinus pain is usually felt in several upper back teeth at once, gets worse when you bend forward and comes with a blocked nose. Clear pain in one tooth that worsens with hot or cold or wakes you at night is more likely to come from the tooth itself.
Why does sinusitis make teeth hurt?
The maxillary sinus lies just above the upper back teeth. In some people only a thin layer of bone separates the root tips from the sinus floor. When the sinus is inflamed and pressure builds, pain is felt in teeth supplied by the same nerves, even if there is nothing wrong with the teeth.
Sinus pain or tooth pain?
| Sign | May be from the sinus | May be from a tooth |
|---|---|---|
| How many teeth? | Several upper back teeth together | Usually one tooth |
| With movement | Worse when bending forward or going downstairs | No clear change |
| Hot and cold | Usually no effect | Sensitivity or lingering pain |
| Other symptoms | Blocked nose, discharge, facial pressure, reduced sense of smell | Swollen gum, visible decay or fracture |
| Timing | After a cold or allergy | When eating, at night |
Sinusitis caused by a tooth
It can also work the other way round: infection in an upper back tooth can spread from the root tip into the sinus and cause one-sided, recurring sinusitis. Especially with one-sided, foul-smelling discharge and sinusitis that doesn't clear with treatment, the teeth should be checked. In that case the sinusitis may not fully clear until the tooth infection is treated. A panoramic X-ray or CT scan helps with the diagnosis. See dental X-rays and CT scans.
Dentist or ear, nose and throat doctor?
- If the pain is in one tooth, worsens with hot or cold, or there is a visible problem with the tooth, see a dentist first.
- If a blocked nose, discharge and fever are the main symptoms, see your GP or an ENT doctor first.
- If pain continues despite sinusitis treatment, or recurs on one side, have a dental examination.
- If you're not sure, a dental examination quickly shows whether the pain is coming from a tooth.
What you can do in the meantime
Drinking plenty of fluids, inhaling steam and rinsing the nose with saline can relieve sinus pressure. Use painkillers as directed on the leaflet. Don't take antibiotics unless a doctor advises it. For general advice see how to relieve toothache.
Examination in Beylikdüzü
Dent32 is at Barış Mah., Ginza Lavinya, E-5 Yanyolu No:30 D:179, 34520 Beylikdüzü, Istanbul and is open seven days a week. To book, call or WhatsApp +90 555 011 33 68, or use our contact page. At the examination we share the findings, the options and the approximate cost in writing; you are under no obligation to start treatment afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Which teeth does sinusitis affect?
Mostly the upper molars and premolars, the upper back teeth. The pain is usually felt in several teeth together.
How long does sinus toothache last?
It eases as the sinusitis clears, usually within a few days to two weeks. If the pain continues after the sinusitis has gone, you need a dental examination.
Can tooth decay cause sinusitis?
Infection at the root tip of an upper back tooth can spread into the sinus and cause sinusitis. With one-sided, recurring sinusitis the teeth should be checked as well.
