Is Your Tooth Pain Caused by a Sinus Infection? Here’s How to Tell—And Relieve It Fast

Sinus infections (also known as sinusitis) strike more than 30 million Americans each year. And if you’re one of them, you’re family with uncomfortable sinus infection symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pressure and headaches. But if you’re experiencing tooth pain, could that actually be a sign of a sinus infection, too? It turns out the answer is yes. Here, experts explain the connection and share the telltale signs a toothache could be due to a sinus infection rather than a dental problem.

What causes a sinus infection?

“Most sinus infections are caused by upper respiratory viral infections, often the same viruses that cause colds or the flu,” notes Zi Yang Jiang, MD, a pediatric otorhinolaryngologist at UTHealth Houston’s Memorial Hermann Medical Center. But in some cases, viral sinusitis can burgeon into a bacterial sinus infection. 

The reason: “We all have bacteria that live in our nose and our sinuses normally,” says Ahmad Sedaghat, MD, PhD, a sinus specialist and a professor of otolaryngology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. And as he explains, viral infections can trap mucus inside sinus passages to create an environment that allows bacteria to grow out of control.

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How a sinus infection causes tooth pain

“Tooth pain associated with sinus infections is something many healthcare providers encounter frequently,” says Dr. Jiang. “It’s common, particularly during cold and flu season.” That’s because the roots of the upper molars are close to the maxillary sinuses, the pair of sinus cavities located behind the cheekbone. 

“When these sinuses become inflamed by colds or flu, pressure builds up. This can irritate the nerves of the teeth to produce pain,” he explains. And inflammation caused by bacterial sinus infections can do the same. In fact, Mayo Clinic experts note that tooth pain is a frequent finding in patients suffering from bacterial sinusitis.

Is your tooth pain caused by a sinus infection?

“There are some key signs that can help differentiate sinus-related tooth pain from dental pain,” says Dr. Jiang, who lists the following as signals that your tooth pain is due to pressure from a sinus infection:

Pain affects only your upper teeth. As noted above, sinus-related pain typically affects the upper molars, since their nerves are in close proximity to the maxillary sinuses.

Pain accompanies nasal symptoms. If you have a runny or stuffy nose or thick nasal discharge, it could point to a sinus infection. Loss of smell is also an occasional symptom. 

Pain occurs in conjunction with a headache. Sinus headaches are common with infections, especially when combined with pressure around the forehead or eyes. 

Pain worsens when you change positions: If the pain gets worse when you bend over, lie down or move your head quickly, it’s more likely related to sinus pressure.

As for symptoms that suggest you should see a dentist, “If you have persistent tooth pain that does not improve or comes with severe sensitivity or swelling, it’s worth considering a dental issue,” Dr. Jiang notes. Other red flags of a dental problem: Pain around a particular tooth, recent dental work or known cavities in teeth. 

How to relieve tooth pain caused by a sinus infection

Antibiotics were once considered a first-line treatment for sinusitis. In fact, a 2001 report in the journal American Family Physician estimated that antibiotics were prescribed for up to 98 percent of sinusitis patients. 

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But according to Dr. Jiang, “Studies show that most sinus infections, even those that cause tooth pain, tend to resolve on their own within seven to 10 days, as they are often viral in nature. Antibiotics are generally only necessary if the infection is bacterial or if symptoms persist or worsen after about seven days.”

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His recommendation: If your pain is severe or persistent, or if there are additional symptoms like fever, facial swelling or prolonged nasal discharge, it’s best to seek medical advice. And Dr. Sedaghat adds that eye pain and swelling, mental confusion and stiff neck are signs of an infection that demands immediate medical attention. 

But for mild symptoms, including tooth pain caused by sinus pressure, Dr. Jiang says it’s reasonable to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach to see if symptoms subside. In the meantime, experts at Stanford University recommend simple strategies such as taking OTC pain relievers, rinsing sinuses with a saline solution, inhaling steam and using oral decongestants and decongestant nasal sprays as directed to alleviate sinusitis pressure and pain. (You can even check out our guide to sinus pressure relief points to speed healing naturally.)