Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I’m Sick?

“Our bodies are deeply interconnected. The better we understand those connections, the better we can care for ourselves, especially when we’re feeling vulnerable,” says Dr. Anita Lewis

You have a stuffy nose, sore throat, and unbearable fatigue that only comes from being sick. And now, add something new — a piercing pain radiating from your teeth. You didn’t have tooth problems for months, so why is your mouth sore when you’re sick?

This sudden pain isn’t all in your head. Most people have a toothache at the same time they have a cold, flu, or even a sinus infection. Once you have a better understanding of how your body might be causing you pain, you might be able to tolerate the pain a little better and also know when you might need to seek help from your physician or your dentist.

Why Does My Jaw Hurt When I’m Sick

Your mouth is more connected to your overall well-being than most people think. When you have an illness or are unwell, it is frequently not just your sore throat or nasal passages that hurt. Your mouth or oral cavity can also experience pain as a result of your physical malaise. There are four reasons why being ill can cause elders to complain of tooth pain, including. Inflammation, sinus pressure, dry mouth, and changes to routine.

Sinus pressure and toothache

Sinus congestion or pressure is the most common reason for experiencing tooth pain while sick. Your maxillary sinus cavities (or sinuses) are located just above your upper teeth, often close to the molars. Painful conditions affecting the upper respiratory tract, such as colds or sinus infections, can result in these maxillary sinus cavities becoming filled with fluid or swollen. The swelling can result in pressure being placed on the roots of your upper teeth, causing tooth pain that can feel like a toothache.

Sinus issues cause tooth distress to be dull and pressing without any specific teeth in distress, as opposed to an actually infected tooth. This means that tooth distress from sinus issues will usually cause more than one tooth on one side of the mouth to either hurt, in the case of sinus, or even both sides. “When I have a sinus issue, the whole upper jaw hurts – it’s like my teeth are thudding, although nothing is wrong with them,” explains Maria, 32, who has been living and suffering through chronic sinus issues.

Medication and Mouth Breathing Dry Mouth.

When you are sick, especially with nasal congestion, you generally end up breathing through your mouth. Now, you throw in a common class of prescription drugs that dry the mouth out: antihistamines or decongestants, or any combination of drugs, which can lead to dry mouth.

Saliva is an important part of oral health as it helps neutralize acid, helps rinse the mouth clean of bacteria, to helps promote oral health. When the mouth is dry, it can allow those bacteria to thrive and increase your risk of decay, bad breath, and irritation. In the short term, dry mouth can make the teeth feel more sensitive or sore.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching

When you are feeling poor, there is often likely to be some extra tension coming from your aches or just being tired, sick, exhausted, and mentally drained. When sick, people tend to grind their teeth and clench their jaws more in sleep, tensing; this creates extra tension in their teeth and jaw without any benefit to them, and can actually create new soreness that could feel more like an infection.

If you notice some sensitivity in your jaw upon waking or a headache around your temple, this could mean you are grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep.

How to Know Whether It’s Your Sinuses or Really a Tooth Issue

You need to identify what’s happening. Here are a few tips to determine it:

Common Symptoms

• Extreme pain in several of the upper back teeth, Sinus pressure
• Dull, throbbing ache that becomes worse with leaning forward, Sinus issue
• Toothache accompanied by swelling or redness only on one tooth
• Dental infection
• Pain on eating hot or cold foods
• It could be a cavity or an exposed root
• Pain or jaw stiffness on waking
• Teeth grinding

If your symptoms improve while your cold symptoms go away, the tooth pain is likely not dental. But if the pain continues or gets worse, or swelling and/or fever make an appearance, it’s time to see your dentist or physician.

What to do for Cold Symptoms Teeth Hurt

There is no one solution, but there are multiple ways to ultimately relieve dental discomfort due to illness.

Apply Warm Compresses

A warm compress on your forehead or cheeks can relieve sinus pressure and tooth pain.

Stay Hydrated

Having plenty of fluids in your system thins mucus in your sinuses and fights dry mouth, both of which can relieve tooth sensitivity.

Use Over-the-Counter Medications

Pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce swelling and discomfort from your sinuses. You can also use nasal decongestants to reduce sinus swelling, but please use them cautiously and not longer than on occasion, for a few days or so.

Stay on Top of Oral Care

Even when you feel terrible, keep brushing and flossing; the disgusting bacteria build up will just help enhance inflammation and pain. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Use a Humidifier

Adding moisture to the air can help alleviate dry mouth and reduce nighttime throat irritation. It also may help make breathing more comfortable if you are congested.

When to Visit Your Dentist for a Toothache When Sick

If it gets to be more than a week of tooth pain, if the pain is acute, sharp, or throbbing, or it doesn’t come and go but is always limited to one tooth, it may be more than just the sinuses. Call your dentist for an appointment to rule out infection or decay.

This kind of situation is more than common. The overlap between sinus symptoms and tooth pain can be confusing, but reassuring once you understand what’s really going on.

Sick tooth pain isn’t simply another bothersome symptom, it’s your body’s warning call. Usually, it’s transient and caused by sinus issues or drug side effects. But having the explanation lets you respond accordingly, with a warm washcloth, extra fluids, or an immediate dentist visit.