Have you ever experienced a nagging pain that had you questioning: Is this coming from my sinuses or my teeth?

Sinus pain and tooth pain can be easily confused because of the anatomical proximity of our upper teeth and sinuses—but they’re two totally different root causes of pain. Here at the Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center of Scottsdale, we can help you distinguish between the two and feel better.

Sinus vs. Tooth Pain: How Scottsdale Patients Can Tell the Difference

The largest of the four pairs of sinuses in our faces is called the maxillary sinuses, which are located  under our eyes near the upper teeth in the upper facial bones. These sinuses are essential for various reasons: they lighten the weight of our skull, cushion and protect our brain from trauma, humidify and filter the air we breathe, help our voice resonance, and provide mucus that washes out irritants. When these sinuses are inflamed, they can cause pain and pressure that mimics tooth pain.

However, it is possible that dental issues can contribute directly to sinus infections. If you’re experiencing an abscess or root canal infection, the problem can transpire and break through the sinus floor, causing sinus inflammation and infection to spread to the sinus.

How to Tell if Your Tooth Pain is From Sinuses or Dental Issues

At our Scottsdale sinus clinic, we help patients determine whether their pain stems from sinus inflammation or dental issues. While misdiagnosis is common, you can try to determine where your pain is coming from by evaluating the following four points:

1. Location of Pain

• Sinus-related tooth pain often affects multiple upper teeth.
• Dental pain usually affects one specific tooth.

2. Type of Pain

• Sinus pain: dull, aching, pressure-like.
• Tooth pain: sharp, throbbing, worsens with hot/cold or biting.

3. Other Symptoms Present

• Sinus infection signs: congestion, facial pressure, post-nasal drip, headache.
• Dental infection signs include swelling around the tooth, sensitivity to tapping that particular tooth, and a bad taste in the mouth.

4. Changes With Head Position

• Sinus-related pain may worsen when bending over or lying down.
• Tooth pain generally remains consistent regardless of position.

How the Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center Can Find the Root Cause

Misdiagnosis of teeth issues vs. sinus issues is prevalent, but treatable. To avoid any further complications, schedule a visit with the team at Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center in Scottsdale today. We offer in-office diagnostics, such as CT scans, which can provide quick answers and solutions to your pain. We are also happy to refer you to a dentist if needed.

Wrapping Up

Don’t wait until your pain becomes unbearable to seek medical help. If possible, visit both your sinus and allergy medical team and your dental professionals to make sure you’re getting the best possible treatment plan.