If you're like the 28 million adults who suffer from sinus infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you know how painful they can be. The addition of sinus infection tooth pain caused by pressure in your nasal cavity can be all the more distressing if you're unaware of this side effect.
It's important to determine whether a sinus infection is the cause of your toothache, though. Reach out to your doctor if you have a cold turned sinus infection, or contact your dentist if the pain originated in your teeth.
The American Rhinologic Society (ARS) defines sinusitis as the inflammation of your nasal passage lining, and a cold that persists longer than two weeks can develop into an acute sinus infection. This begins in your maxillary sinuses, located just above your molar teeth roots, and can swell with the buildup of bacterial or viral mucus. The pressure it puts on dental nerve endings can cause a painful sensation on one or more of your teeth.
If you have a sinus infection, the best way to get rid of your tooth pain is to target the backlog of mucus. Try these five tips for relieving sinus infection tooth pain:
- Drink Fluids and Use SteamWater helps hydrate the mucus membranes and decreases mucus buildup. So, have fluids on hand to stay hydrated.
If you've become dehydrated, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) electrolytes affect the amount of water in your body, and water doesn’t naturally contain electrolytes. You may therefore want to add coconut water to your diet, which contains electrolytes like magnesium, potassium and sodium. Likewise, magnesium supports your immune system, which helps to fight both bacterial and viral sinus infections.
Add a steamy shower or a peppermint steam solution to your daily care, as well. Peppermint and steam both help cut decongestion and pain (all the more reason to drink tea when it's cold).
- Eat Spicy Foods
Even if you have a sensitive palate, don't be afraid to stock up on foods that have a kick, such as horseradish or chili peppers. The ingredients in both of these have mucus-thinning properties. But not all spicy foods work equally; check with your doctor first to be sure you're not causing more harm than good.
- Use an Expectorant
The key to relieving sinus infection tooth pain is to drain the mucus, decreasing the pressure in your sinuses. Over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants and expectorants can provide fast relief, but in different ways. Baylor College of Medicine advises that expectorants "melt" mucus, whereas decongestants effectively dry out the passages to relieve the pressure. Look for a nasal expectorant, but take some time to read the instructions on how to flush the area and how many times per day you should do so. If symptoms persist past the prescribed usage, however, you should always consult your doctor.
- Hum Yourself to Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important means to increasing your body's general resistances. During sleep, your body has an opportunity to produce white blood cells and cytokines, which "enhance immunity," according to the Pflugus Archieve - European Journal of Physiology. But when you have a painful sinus toothache, it's hard to relax enough to rest.
Surprisingly, humming has been linked to a decrease in sinus pain. Air flow in the area acts similarly to water in helping to clear and drain mucus buildup, as observed by two studies reported in The New York Times.
If you've taken an expectorant but still find yourself up at night, try humming at different tones. Humming naturally vibrates your facial "mask," and you can softly hum the tone that best engages the inflamed area. Infants are calmed and lulled to sleep by similar rocking, and this can also help you relax enough to get much-needed rest.
- Position Your Head for the Best Drainage
When resting, keep your head in a propped, tilted position. Laying horizontally can cause blockage and continued pressure, but sleeping with some of your upper body propped up is a better way to drain the pain.
It is always important to contact your dentist if you feel that the toothache you are experiencing is severe and persistent. Also contact your physicians office if your cold/flu or sinus symptoms isn't being relived with over the counter medication.
Contact Dr. Jessica Chen at Duvall Family Dental for your dental check up! We are your dental home in Duvall!
Article sources from colgate and the aforementioned health and media sources.
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