It’s frustrating when your teeth hurt when sick, making an already uncomfortable time even harder to handle. Many people experience tooth pain during illnesses like colds or sinus infections, even if they don’t have any obvious dental problems. Sometimes the cause is temporary, like sinus pressure, but in other cases, the discomfort can signal an underlying issue like an infection deep inside the tooth that may require treatment from an endodontist.
In this article, we’ll explore the common causes behind this annoying problem and share practical tips to help you manage and even prevent tooth pain when you’re under the weather.
Common Causes of Tooth Pain When You’re Sick
Even if you don’t have a dental problem, it’s not unusual to find that your teeth hurt when sick. When your body is fighting off sickness, several factors can cause or worsen tooth discomfort, such as infections, dehydration, stress-related habits, and sometimes underlying dental issues that flare up.
Understanding these common causes can help you manage the pain better and know when to seek professional care.
Sinus Infections and Tooth Pain
Sinus infections, or sinusitis, happen when the air-filled spaces around your nose and cheeks, known as sinuses, become inflamed and congested. Because the roots of your upper back teeth are close to your sinus cavities, pressure and inflammation in the sinuses can cause a dull, aching pain in your upper teeth. This pain often feels like a toothache, but is actually caused by sinus pressure.
When you have a sinus infection, you might notice other symptoms like nasal congestion, facial pressure, headaches, or a reduced sense of smell. Treating the sinus infection usually helps relieve the tooth pain as well.
Note: According to Healthline, Pain from a sinus toothache may intensify with certain types of movement. Jumping up or bending over may make the pain worse. So try to avoid these movements and instead lie down to feel less pain.
Dehydration and Dry Mouth
When you’re sick, especially with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, your body loses fluids quickly. This dehydration reduces saliva production, which can eventually lead to dry mouth.
Saliva is important because it helps protect your teeth by washing away food particles and neutralizing acids.
Without enough saliva, your mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to increased tooth sensitivity, pain, and even cavities. Dry mouth can also make existing dental issues feel worse.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) While Sick
Stress and discomfort during illness can sometimes cause you to clench or grind your teeth. This condition is called bruxism and often happens unconsciously, especially during sleep. Grinding puts extra pressure on your teeth and jaw muscles, which can make your teeth hurt when sick, leading to sensitivity, jaw soreness, or even headaches. If you notice tooth pain that worsens at night or jaw tightness when you wake up, bruxism could be the cause.
Read more: Bruxism is one of the stress-related dental issues. For learning more, check out this article about the impact of stress on dental health.
Dental Infections and Abscesses
Sometimes, being sick can weaken your immune system and allow existing dental infections to worsen or new ones to develop. A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection that often results from untreated cavities or gum disease. It can cause severe, persistent tooth pain, swelling, and even fever. You should see a dentist promptly if you experience:
- intense tooth pain
- swelling in your gums or face
- or a bad taste in your mouth
Don’t Let Tooth Pain Make You Feel Worse While You’re Sick
If your teeth hurt when you’re sick, our experts at Downtown Toronto Dentistry can help. We’ll find the cause and provide gentle, effective relief so you can focus on feeling better.
Solutions for Managing Tooth Pain When Sick
As we discussed earlier, illness can trigger or worsen dental discomfort, but there are simple steps you can take at home to manage the pain. Below are practical remedies and habits that can bring relief until you’re able to see a dentist if needed.
Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage your toothache and reduce inflammation. Keep in mind that you should always follow the recommended dosage. Check with your healthcare provider if you’re taking other medications or have underlying conditions.
Warm Compresses
Placing warm compresses on the face can help ease tooth pain that’s linked to sinus pressure. Warmth improves circulation and reduces discomfort. Inhaling steam or using a saline nasal spray can also help clear nasal passages and relieve pressure that radiates to the teeth. If congestion is significant, OTC decongestants can provide temporary relief. Just be sure to follow the instructions and consult a clinician if you have underlying conditions.
Saltwater Rinse
Rinsing with warm salt water is a simple and effective way to minimize inflammation. It also kills bacteria in the mouth. This method can soothe irritated gums, clean the area around the tooth, and provide temporary relief from discomfort.
Hydration
Saliva helps protect your teeth, and dehydration often reduces saliva production, which worsens tooth pain during illness. Drink water regularly throughout the day and add herbal teas or clear broths for extra hydration.
Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free lozenges can help stimulate saliva and reduce dry mouth.
Manage stress
Jaw clenching or teeth grinding can happen because of stress, especially during illness. To reduce this tension, try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle stretches before bed.
If teeth grinding continues, a dental night guard can protect your teeth and reduce pressure on your jaw. Keep in mind that OTC guards can be a short-term option, but for a better fit and protection, ask your dentist about a custom-made guard.
Seek Professional Help
Normally, home remedies can ease mild discomfort. If pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by swelling or fever, seek dental care. Why? These may be signs of a dental abscess or infection, which requires immediate treatment to prevent complications.
Dentists can prescribe antibiotics, drain abscesses, or provide other targeted treatments that go beyond what you can do at home.
How to Prevent Tooth Pain When You’re Sick
Tooth pain doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of being sick. If your teeth hurt when sick, there are ways to lower the risk. By keeping your teeth and gums healthy year-round and taking extra precautions as soon as you feel unwell, you can significantly reduce your chances of discomfort.
Daily Habits to Prevent Tooth Pain
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
- Stay Consistently Hydrated: Drink water regularly throughout the day to keep saliva levels steady.
- Eat a Tooth-Friendly Diet: Limit sugary snacks and acidic drinks, and include healthy foods for teeth that are rich in calcium and vitamin D to strengthen enamel.
- Schedule Regular Dental Checkups: See your dentist every six months (or as advised) to catch and treat minor issues before they become painful.
- Manage Stress Year-Round: Lowering stress levels can help prevent bruxism, which might worsen during illness.
Read more: For learning more about the 4 benefits of dental check-ups, take a look at this blog.
Tooth Pain Prevention at the First Signs of Illness
- Support Sinus Health Early: Address small gum tenderness immediately instead of waiting for it to worsen. Use a humidifier, saline spray, or warm steam to keep nasal passages clear at the first signs of a cold.
- Keep Up Oral Care: Even if you feel tired, continue gentle brushing and flossing to avoid bacterial buildup.
- Prevent Dry Mouth: Drink fluids often, use sugar-free lozenges, or chew sugar-free gum to keep saliva flowing.
- Protect Against Grinding: If you know you clench your jaw when unwell, start wearing your night guard right away.
Stay Ahead of Oral Pain During Sickness
Feeling under the weather is tough enough without tooth pain adding to your discomfort. Understanding why your teeth hurt when sick, whether from sinus pressure, dry mouth, grinding, or infection, can help you take the right steps to find relief. By maintaining good oral health year-round and acting quickly at the first signs of illness, you can recover more comfortably. And remember, if pain is severe or persistent, a quick visit to your dentist is a must.
Our expert team at Downtown Toronto Dentistry is here to care for all your dental needs. From cosmetic treatments like dental veneers and teeth whitening to general procedures like bone grafting and sleep dentistry, we’re ready to enhance your smile and improve your overall oral health.
FAQ
Is it normal for your teeth to hurt when you’re sick?
Yes, it’s quite common. Conditions like sinus infections, dehydration, or stress-related teeth grinding can cause tooth pain even if you don’t have dental problems.
How do I make my teeth stop hurting when I’m sick?
Stay hydrated, manage sinus pressure with warm compresses or saline sprays, maintain gentle oral hygiene, and use over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. If pain is severe or lasts long, see a dentist.
What virus makes your teeth hurt?
Viruses that cause sinus infections or respiratory illnesses (like the common cold or flu) can lead to tooth pain due to sinus pressure and inflammation near the upper teeth roots.
What sickness makes your teeth hurt?
Sinus infections, colds, flu, and any illness causing dehydration or stress (which can trigger teeth grinding) may cause tooth pain during sickness.
Have you ever experienced your teeth hurting when sick? Share in the comments below how you manage tooth pain during illness, or ask any questions you have.
One Response
Yes presently I’m even feeling pains grinding and discomfort in my teeth