As soon as autumn hits, everyone starts feeling under the weather. If the change accompanies tooth or jaw pain, things might get confusing. You might wonder if your teeth hurt because you are sick. Well, as confusing as it may seem, you can always rely on your dentist to take a keen look at your oral cavity to reveal issues, if any. In this blog, we will discuss whether being sick and tooth pain have a connection or not.
Is Your Sickness The Reason Behind Tooth Pain?
Let’s get two things straight:
- Your teeth have sensitive nerves running through them, and when they hurt, it sends sharp zaps of pain and discomfort.
- Your sinuses are hollow cavities near your eyes, nose, and lower forehead. Normally, they are empty, but when you are sick, they become congested with mucus.
Now, let’s establish the connection between them:
The sinus passages lie quite close to your upper molars and are directly connected to the nerve endings of your teeth. So, when they inflame, fill up, or get infected, they put pressure on these nerves, resulting in tooth pain while you are sick.
Getting To the Root Cause of Tooth Pain
Tooth pain, when you are sick, is additionally challenging to bear as well as to figure out the root cause of this issue. So, here is a list of some common reasons that you should keep in mind for this issue.
1. Infected Tooth Pain
If your teeth hurt due to an infection, a clear sign of its presence is localization. You feel a throbbing ache around one affected tooth that may be sensitive to touch. Keep an eye out for redness and swelling around the base of the tooth. If you can jot down any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment for a physical examination. If it accompanies a cavity, a root canal may be the right route to treat it.
2. Sinus-Induced Tooth Pain
On the other hand, when your sinuses are to blame, your teeth may hurt in the form of a dull pressure affecting several teeth. It starts slowly and gradually fades as your illness gets better.
Managing Tooth Pain When Sick
Now that we know the connection between sinuses and tooth pain, here are a few ways you can easily manage it:
1. Keep up with Adequate Hydration
One of the best things you can do to alleviate congestion is to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to help your body clear the mucus from your sinuses and consequent tooth pain.
2. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
You can also use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to combat the symptoms. These medications can help a great deal in managing the pain.
Closing Note
Tooth pain when you are already sick can be bothersome, but knowing its connection to your sinuses and differentiating it from dental problems is pivotal to finding relief. You can seek professional help from Dr. Tuan Vo, who has had extensive education from the Academy of General Dentistry. If you want to learn more, get in touch with dental care experts from AT Dental Care at (408) 579-9931. We are located at 1906 Aborn Rd, San Jose, CA 95121, United States.