Front tooth pain under the nose can be quite uncomfortable and unbearable at the worst. It can interfere with daily activities such as eating, chewing, brushing your teeth, and even talking. But sometimes, your teeth can hurt even without an overt dental cause. So, front tooth pain under the nose is likely related to your sinuses.
How Sinuses Can Cause Front Tooth Pain Under Nose
Your sinuses are laid out just behind your face, near the eyes, nose, and forehead. They’re also present in your cheekbones. Serving to warm, moisten and filter the air you breathe in, they’re normally hollow and filled solely with air. Your sinuses also produce mucus that keeps your nasal passages lubricated and filters foreign particles entering your lungs.
However, the sinuses can become irritated and inflamed, leading to mucus building up inside them. This causes them to expand, leading to feelings of pressure and congestion. Now, because your sinuses lie so close to your face, you can feel this pressure as soreness or tenderness in the area. However, the roots of your upper teeth are also present close to your sinuses, and the expansion can put pressure on them.
The result is a toothache, a common sinus inflammation or infection symptom.
How Do I Know My Front Tooth Pain Under Nose Is From A Sinus Infection?
The key difference between a toothache caused by dental reasons and one from sinus inflammation (sinusitis) is that a toothache typically only affects a single tooth at a time. However, you will usually feel a sinus-related toothache in multiple teeth, particularly the back teeth at the top of your mouth. In addition, you might have some of the following symptoms:
- Postnasal drip, which is when mucus drips down into the back of your throat
- Pressure or soreness around the eyes, cheekbones, or forehead.
- Thicker mucus than usual, often discolored
- Sore throat
While a toothache may occur due to damage or sensitivity in a particular tooth, or even a tooth abscess that affects multiple teeth, the symptoms above are exclusive to sinus inflammation. If you’re experiencing any of the above in conjunction with your toothache, you probably have a sinus toothache.
Relieving Sinus Related Toothache: Treatment Options
Sinus infections typically resolve within a week, and the body needs time to fight it. But the best thing to do is to visit a dentist, as any kind of tooth pain is serious, and they can diagnose and treat it correctly.
In the meantime, you can use anti-inflammatory medication with ibuprofen such as Advil or Motrin and pain-relieving drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol) to alleviate the pain and soreness. Make sure you stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, and rest as much as possible.
Conclusion: Visit a Dentist for Any Toothaches
Remember that damaged or decayed teeth also cause toothaches. They require immediate treatment to prevent complications. That’s why visiting a dentist early is your best bet for treating your toothache effectively. If they say nothing is wrong, you can visit a doctor to get treatment for your sinus infection.
This post is brought to you by Dr. Vesna Arezina, DDS, your best family dentist in Houston, TX. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Arezina prides herself on providing exceptional service, performing general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry procedures. The clinic also provides emergency dental care and is bilingual to serve all members of our community with comfort and care. We’ll be happy to see you! For any questions or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (281) 469-7469.