It is difficult to tell whether a toothache in the upper jaw comes from a sinus infection or from a dental problem.

Why?

Because many of their symptoms overlap:

The roots of the upper back molars extend into the maxillary sinus cavities. This means that when the maxillary sinuses are infected, the increased pressure caused by trapped mucous, pushes down on the roots thereby displacing them slightly. This causes the upper jaw to ache, followed by a throbbing toothache. Other symptoms of maxillary sinus infection are facial tenderness and swelling in the cheek area. This particular pain is not dental related.
On the other hand, if the toothache is caused by tooth decay or other dental problems, ‘referred’ pain will extend up the U shaped root cavity (called the alveolar), into the maxillary sinus. This will also cause facial tenderness and swelling in the cheek area.

It is also worth mentioning that the maxillary sinuses are the most commonly infected sinuses. This is because drainage from these cavities is not assisted by gravity. Read the rest of this entry »