A toothache, or tooth sensitivity, can indicate a number of different dental maladies. Decaying teeth are often sensitive, as well as cracked or broken teeth that leave the pulp exposed. Although small, your teeth can become an incredible hindrance when they are disturbed. In fact, nearly 25% of adults in America admit to having taken time off work to deal with one or more sensitive teeth. However, in some cases, tooth discomfort can occur in spite of a full set of strong and healthy teeth. Syosset dentist Dr. Richard Kobak explores how a sinus infection can mimic the symptoms of damaged or diseased teeth.
What are Sinuses, Anyway?
Although the source of much discomfort, especially in the midst of allergies or the cold and flu season, sinuses are little more than hollow tubes in your upper jawbone. These tubes are lined with tissue similar to the membrane that lines the inside of your mouth, and air travels through them every time you inhale through your nose. This lining is subject to infection and inflammation, which leads to the miserable stuffy feeling of sinus infection (sinusitis).
How Can Sinus Infection Affect My Teeth?
The floor of your sinuses sits precariously close to the roots of your upper teeth, especially your upper molars. When sinus tissues swell, the pressure can sometimes be felt in your teeth’s roots, which can lead to tooth sensitivity or discomfort and lead you to believe that there is something wrong with your teeth. Toothaches caused by sinuses typically change (worsen or lighten) with movement, such as sitting up or lying down. A visit to your Syosset dentist’s office can determine whether or not your condition is due to a dental health issue.
Treating Sensitive Teeth in Syosset
Regardless of the reason, tooth sensitivity should not be ignored. To learn more about treating tooth disorders, or to speak with your Syosset dentist about your toothache, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kobak by calling our Syosset dental office at (516) 433-2211. We welcome patients from Long Island, Nassau, Suffolk, and the surrounding New York City neighborhoods.
