12 Apr 2023 A serious type of sinus infection can lead to many uncomfortable facial symptoms and this also includes tooth pain and oral health problems. A sinus infection occurs when certain viruses or bacteria infects the sinus linings. So what are these sinuses?
Sinuses are cavities which are filled up with air. Cilia which are the small hairs lines the sinuses. These small hairs helps in the movement of air, mucus, and bacteria or viruses through for filtration. The sinuses allows a route for air to flow and warms the air that enters through the nose. Sinuses are present in the skull. There are four different types of sinuses,
#a. Frontal Sinuses: These paired sinuses that are located above the eyebrows in the frontal bone that creates a person’s forehead.
#b. Sphenoid Sinus: These are the only unpaired sinus located in the head, the sphenoid sinus is located slightly deeper in the skull, located near the optic nerve and pituitary gland in the brain.
#c. Ethmoid Sinuses: This collection of air cells is in the ethmoid bone between the eyes and at the top of the nose. This bone separates the nasal cavity from the brain.
#d. Maxillary Sinuses: These are large, paired sinuses that are located behind the cheekbones and on either side of the nose. These sinuses are pyramid-shaped. Maxillary sinuses and are the largest sinuses in the head.
Without the sinuses, a person’s head would be heavier. These four different types sinuses also helps in determining the sound of a person’s voice, as their voice resonates or changes with air vibrations in the sinuses. Today in this article we would be looking into why a person experiences tooth pain which might related to the sinus infections and when one should visit a doctor in order to treat themselves.
At first you should clear one question in your mind weather an infection in sinus causes tooth pain?
Can A Sinus Infection Lead To Tooth Infection?
Well, a sinus infection can lead to dental pain, and as per studiesthe most common sinus infection site which leads to causing dental pain is the maxillary sinus. The sinuses, teeth, and gums all of them share similar nerves that can transmit pain signals.
Inflammation that occurs due to sinus infection or any dental disease can press on the nerves, and this leads to pain. In that case a person might interpret these signals as dental pain.
Can A Dental Infection Cause A Sinus Infection?
Just like a sinus infection leads to dental pain, similarly dental infection too can lead to end up causing sinus infection. A dental infection can also lead to sinus infection. Studies conducted in 2012 have shown that nearly 40% of chronic maxillary sinus infections had occurred due to dental infections.
Whereas older studies have estimated this amount was about 10%, but advances in imaging, such as CT scans, have revealed dental infections as the most common underlying cause.
As it is seen that the back portion of the teeth is close to the maxillary sinuses, several infectious organisms can travel down to these cavities. A person with this infection type will have maxillary sinus infection symptoms. They may also have the following risk factors which are related to their teeth such as history of jaw or dental pain, history of or current dental infection, or history of endodontic, oral, or periodontal surgery, especially tooth extractions.
If infection of this type takes place then in order to treat it there is requirement of antibiotics and treatment of the underlying infection in the tooth or teeth. And doing this would help in the reduction of chances of the infection returning again.
Dental problems can end up causing pain or pressure in some of the sinus areas. This may include sinus-like pressure or an achy feeling in the upper, back teeth. If anyone experiences this type of dental discomfort, then in that case you may need to visit both the dentist and the doctor to determine the root cause of the pain in order to treat it. But if the pain is in the lower teeth or towards the front of your mouth, it’s not likely you have a sinus type of infection.
By now you have known how sinus infection can lead to dental infection and does dental infection leads to tooth infection.
Sinus Toothache Vs. Regular Toothache
If you are feeling pain then you should visit doctor in order to get the treatment done, the doctor would look at the different symptoms and then would help to diagnose the toothache which had occurred due to sinus infection or if there is any other dental problem. Below mentions are causes that can lead to causing sinus infection.
#a. interference with a person’s sense of smell
#b. one-sided nasal obstruction, or a stuffy nose
#c. runny nose, typically on one side
Whereas the signs that may be different from sinusitis and could indicate a dental problem include:
#a. dental pain with temperature changes, such as when eating or drinking something cold or hot
#b. facial swelling
#c. gum swelling near a tooth
#d. pain near a tooth that has dental work
What Are Some Of The Other Symptoms Of Sinusitis?
A person who has sinusitis will usually have a history of a recent upper respiratory tract infection, and most commonly cold. They would start to recover from the cold and may then start experiencing sinusitis symptoms.
These symptoms includes:
#a. discharge from the nose
#b. facial pain
#c. nasal congestion
Whereas some people experience chronic sinusitis because their sinuses do not drain well. Their symptoms can last 8–12 weeks. Those who have chronic sinusitis are less likely to experience dental pain or facial pain than those have acute sinusitis.
How Is Treatment Of Sinus Infection Done?
The treatment of sinus infection can be done both at home and through medical treatment too.
Treatment for sinus infection
A person can sometimes treat their sinus infection at home with the help of home remedies in order to get relief.
#1. Nasal irrigation:
Irrigating the nasal cavity with the help of warm or room-temperature saline solution is done in order to promote mucus drainage. One can put a warm saline solution in a 10- or 20-milliliter of water syringe and slowly instill this into the nasal passages while leaning over a sink or bowl.
One need to make sure that the solution should run down the face, and not back into the sinus passages or throat. The person should ensure that the saline solution is not hot and make it with distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water, as because tap water might not be clean.
#2. Topical decongestants:
Utilizing the topical decongestants, such as ephedrine, can lead to allow more air to flow through the sinuses. But a person should not use decongestants for more than 7 days.
#3. Warm compresses:
Placing warm compresses over the sinus areas may lead to reducing pressure. Examples include over the forehead and on either side of the nose.
#4. Rest and fluids:
By resting and drinking plenty of water, people will help thin their nasal secretions can do their treatment.
Medical treatment
An exception to treat sinusitis at home is when a person has a fever, or the infection seems to have spread beyond the sinuses, such as into the other organ like ears.
Someone who has pus-filled nasal discharge might also get benefit if they take antibiotics. Treatment for infectious sinusitis is amoxicillin. If a person is allergic to amoxicillin, then in that case a doctor may prescribe doxycycline or clarithromycin.
If a person is continually experiencing sinusitis that affects their breathing and quality of life, then in that case their doctor may recommend sinus surgery in order to do the perfect treatment. Surgery can lead to widening sinus passages in order to reduce the likelihood of infection and irritation that might occur.
When One Should See A Doctor For Treatment?
A person should see a doctor if they experience the following symptoms mentioned below:
#1. Severe sinus pain
#2. Fever that lasts more than 3–4 days
#3. Severe dental pain
#4. Inability to eat or drink related to dental or facial pain
If the symptoms lasts more than 10 days without any improvement, then in that case the person should visit the doctor for getting the treatment done. If a person is experiencing multiple sinus infections over the course of a year, then in that case they should seek medical treatment. A doctor can advise them on how to reduce the risks of having chronic infections and maintain a healthy lifestyle to treat the problem.
Conclusion
Toothache might be a symptom of an acute sinus infection. However, a dental infection can also lead to a sinus infection resulting to several other problems.
Due to this reason, a person should not ignore their symptoms if they persist beyond a few days or worsen, and they should seek medical attention for treating themselves.