Toothaches vs. Sinusitis

Some parents are surprised to learn that there is a connection between tooth pain and sinusitis. If your child is having tooth pain, your thoughts may immediately go to a cavity or an infection or something disastrous! However, his or her “tooth pain” may actually be caused by sinus issues. 

We all have seven sinuses, but only one sinus impacts your oral health; It’s called the maxillary sinus. It’s common to experience pressure and congestion in the maxillary sinus, and it will typically cause nothing more than some discomfort. But sometimes, if there is too much congestion, and pressure builds up in the maxillary sinus, it can directly affect the roots of your child’s teeth.

Tooth Pain or Sinusitis

There are a few different ways for us to know if the pain your child is feeling in his or her mouth is indicative of legitimate tooth issues or if its just pain radiating from the sinuses. These indicators can include:

• Close proximity of maxillary sinus to roots of teeth
• No visible signs of decay in oral x-rays
• Several teeth hurting all at once instead of discomfort in one area of the mouth
• Sudden tooth temperature sensitivity

If your child is experiencing chronic sinusitis or if they have tooth pain that isn’t responding to treatment, please contact Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry. Our Summerfield pediatric dentist is dedicated to making sure your children have healthy, beautiful smiles!