IS PAIN FROM A SINUS INFECTION OR DENTAL DECAY?

Do you have a toothache, or is the pain from sinus pressure? With the start of cold and flu season, some patients may wonder if they have an achy dental emergency or a viral infection. If you're not sure whether your facial discomfort has a dental cause, take a look at the questions to ask right now.

Where Is the Pain?

You have four pairs of sinuses — above the eyes, on the sides of the nose (close to the cheekbones), on the sides of the bridge of the nose (close to the eyes), and behind the eyes. An upper respiratory infection, either viral or bacterial, can spread to the sinuses. The infection can cause inflammation (swelling) and pain, pressure, or discomfort in these areas.

Dental problems can cause pain or pressure in some of the sinus areas. This may include sinus-like pressure or an achy feeling in the upper, back teeth. If you experience this type of dental discomfort, you may need to visit both the dentist and the doctor to determine the root cause. But if the pain is in the lower teeth or towards the front of your mouth, it's not likely you have a sinus type of infection.

How Does the Pain Feel?

There are different types of pain. These can give you, your doctor, and your dentist clues as to what's wrong with your mouth or face. Pressure or facial pain may point to a sinus issue — especially if the pain and discomfort worsens when you move vigorously or bend over.

A toothache can also cause a dull, achy, or pressure-filled type of pain. But oral issues may also cause a sharp, stabbing, throbbing pain or sensitivity and discomfort when you eat or drink hot and cold foods or beverages.

What Other Symptoms Do You Have?

Along with pain and pressure in the face, sinus infections typically cause other related symptoms. These could include a runny or stuffy nose, headache, post-nasal drip, sore throat, or cough, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some infections may also cause a fever with the pain.

Unlike sinus pain, a toothache may not have any related symptoms. Some patients may experience pain or tenderness, redness, or swelling of the nearby gum tissue. If the pain is the result of an injury or other damage, you may see a visible chip or crack in the tooth.

What Does the Dentist Say?

Never attempt to self-diagnose a sinus infection or a dental disorder. The similarities between the two oral issues can confuse most patients. Even though you may have had a sinus infection or a toothache in the past, similar pain doesn't necessarily mean you know the cause of your current problem.

Schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible. Some practices offer emergency hours for patients who have serious oral issues at night or on the weekend. If you're not sure whether your dental pain requires emergency treatment, the dental professional can assess the possible problem over the phone and help you to decide whether you need immediate treatment.

To diagnose the cause of the pain, the dentist will ask you questions about the type and placement of the discomfort and what (if anything) triggers the ache. The dentist will also need to examine your teeth and gums. Some patients may need an X-ray to find the cause of the pain.

Possible causes of dental pain include injury, infection, decay, or periodontal problems. After the dentist diagnoses the oral issue, they will treat the cause and provide you with home-care instructions.

Do you need a dental exam? Contact the office of Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC, for more information.