Causes and Symptoms of a Toothache

Several dental problems can cause toothaches, including:

• Tooth decay
• An abscess
• Cracked or damaged teeth
• A loose or broken filling
• Grinding your teeth
• An infection

When experiencing a toothache, one may experience symptoms such as severe or throbbing pain in a specific location of the mouth, followed by severe swelling, fever or headache, or a bad taste or odour from the affected tooth.

With further progression of the discomfort, one may start to develop pain in the ear or head, or pain when opening their mouth. This can cause problems when swallowing or breathing.

Toothache Diagnosis and Treatment

If the presentation of swelling gets worse, help from a dental professional should be sought as soon as possible.

During diagnosis, a dental professional can assist in determining the underlying reason for the toothache and then recommend a treatment plan.

If a cavity is the cause, a filling can be expected in the treatment plan. Keep in mind that, in some cases, a tooth extraction may be necessary. If the infection is in the tooth’s nerve, a root canal may be suggested.

Through good dental hygiene practices and a sugar-free diet, tooth decay can be reduced, which is ultimately the cause of a toothache.

The Difference Between a Toothache and Sinus Pressure

A toothache is frequently localised to a specific place in the mouth, whereas sinus pressure is typically less concentrated in just one area.

Sinus pressure is therefore indicated by a dull, throbbing pain that is not restricted to a specific location and may be felt over a larger area.

The reason is that there are multiple sinus passageways located beneath your cheekbones, right above the maxilla, which is the bone structure known as the roof of the mouth.

When an allergen creates inflammation in the sinuses, one will experience sensitivity in the mouth.

How Sinus Pressure Affects the Teeth

This sensitivity is due to the molar teeth in the maxilla, which are adjacent to one of your principal sinus tubes, known as the maxillary sinus.

The pain felt may appear to be a toothache, but it is caused by the pressure exerted on the nerve surrounding the sinus.

A sinus infection will then cause pain on both sides of the face, as the sinus cavities on both the left and right are affected.

Identifying Toothache or Sinus Pressure

One way to examine whether it is a toothache or sinus pressure is to push directly on a tooth. If you do not feel instant pain, it may be sinus pressure. If localised pain is felt, it is likely to be a toothache.

Other sinus-related symptoms include:

• A clogged or runny nose
• A cough or sore throat
• Pain around or behind your cheekbones
• Difficulty moving the head up and down