You've had a cold for a week, your nose is blocked, and now your top back teeth have started to ache. Is it a dental problem, or just your sinuses?

It's a surprisingly common question, and a fair one. Sinus pain and toothache can feel very similar, and sometimes one can even cause the other. Here's why they're easy to mix up, the signs that point one way or the other, and when to see your GP or your dentist.

Why sinus pain can feel like toothache

The maxillary sinuses are air-filled spaces located in the bones of your cheeks right above the upper rear teeth. The roots of those teeth are really close to the floor of the maxillary sinuses, which share many of the same nerves.

If your sinuses become inflamed or clogged because of a cold, sinus infection, or hay fever, then this pressure can irritate those nerves. You might perceive it as a toothache in your otherwise healthy teeth.

Indications it is probably your sinuses causing the issue

Toothaches caused by problems in your sinuses will usually be accompanied by other symptoms like:

Several teeth hurt at once, specifically your upper rear teeth, or both sides
Dull, throbbing pain
Pain that increases when you lean forward, lie down, or move your head fast
Pain or tenderness in your cheeks, or around your eyes and your forehead
Congestion in your nose, or nasal discharge
Impaired ability to smell or taste
A recent cold, flu, or hay fever
Often the tooth pain eases as your sinuses clear up.

Signs it's more likely to be your tooth

Pain that comes from a tooth itself tends to be different:

One tooth hurts more than the others, and you can often point to it
Sharp pain when you have something hot, cold or sweet, especially if it lingers afterwards
Pain when you bite or chew on a particular spot
Throbbing pain that comes on by itself, or wakes you at night
Swelling, a pimple-like bump on the gum, or a bad taste in your mouth
Pain in a lower tooth. The sinuses sit above the top teeth, so pain in the bottom teeth isn't usually sinus-related.
No cold or blocked nose to explain it

When it can be both

Sometimes the link works the other way around. An infection in the root of an upper back tooth can spread into the sinus above it and cause sinus symptoms. In this case, treating the sinuses alone may not fix the problem, because the source is the tooth.

That's one reason why sinus symptoms that keep coming back on one side, or don't clear up, are worth a dental check as well as a visit to your GP.

What you can do in the meantime

If you think your sinuses are to blame, these simple steps may help ease the pressure:

Drink plenty of water to help thin mucus.
Breathe in steam from a bowl of warm water or a hot shower.
Try a saline nasal spray or rinse. Your pharmacist can recommend one that suits you.
Rest with your head raised on an extra pillow.

If you need pain relief, ask your pharmacist what's suitable for you.

Should you see your GP or your dentist?

See your GP if:

Your sinus symptoms last longer than about 10 days, or improve and then get worse again
You have a fever, or thick, discolored mucus with facial pain
Your sinus problems keep coming back

See your dentist if:

One tooth is clearly more painful than the rest
The pain is triggered by hot, cold, sweet foods or biting
You have gum swelling, a bump on your gum, or a bad taste
The tooth pain continues after your cold or congestion has cleared
Your sinus symptoms keep coming back on one side only

dentist in Bacchus MarshIf you're still not sure, start with whichever is easier to see. A can take an X-ray to check the teeth and roots, and a GP can assess your sinuses. They can refer you to each other if needed.

Conclusion

An aching top tooth during a cold is often just your sinuses, and it usually settles as you recover. But if the pain is sharp, centred on one tooth, triggered by temperature or biting, or sticks around after your nose has cleared, it's time to see your dentist. Getting it checked early is the simplest way to find out what's really going on.

Toothache or Sinus Pain? How to Tell the Difference

Not sure if your pain is caused by a toothache or sinus pressure? Learn how to recognise the differences and when to visit a dentist in Bacchus Marsh.