I'm hoping some of you have experience with the above as I don't want to go to the dr when it's a dental issue and vice versa. On Friday, I felt like I was getting a sinus infection or cold. When I bent over to help my kids and stood up again, I got a shotting pain in my head. It didn't change a whole lot over the weekend and typically I forgot all about it bc it didn't hurt unless I was standing up quickly from a crouch. Yesterday at work was a stressful day and I found out someone I know died so I was crying some. It really put my head in pain. The pain alternated between the top of my head and my upper teeth in the back. It's been just on the right side or center of my head since I started paying attention. Once I kind of calmed down, the pain really subsided. I forgot all about it last night and then it started again this morning after I'd been at work a while. Now it alternates between my upper jaw again on the right and my head. It seems activity related. If I'm sitting still and not really talking or emotional, it pretty much goes away. If I start bending down a lot (just was helping at school so a lot of kneeling at kids' desks and getting up again) it flares up. I don't mind going to one dr but I hate to go to 2 to figure this out! I haven't felt sick at all otherwise. Other than yesterday, I don't think it's stress related at all. I had dental xrarys a few months ago and all was clear and I floss 2x a day so I'm a bit surprised if it's a tooth but other sinus infections I've had seemed to be a bit more centered. Any one experience someething similar and get a diagnosis? Thanks
Glad to hear so far it's likely sinus. Odd thing is my nose is and has been completely clear. Ok - occassional sneeze or something but not runny or stuffy in general.
Thanks everyone. If I get more answers, think I have to get it treated or it might go away on its own? I know one answer said it went away after a few days but it's been a few days already though same time, it's not turning into a consistent pain...
Take a half dose of Sudafed. If there's change when you do that motion then it's sinuses. IF not it's probably a tooth.
I vote definitely your maxillary sinus. We have a large sinus cavity located right below the cheek bone, above the teeth nerves. When the sinus is congested it can spread pain into the teeth, mocking a tooth ache.
Check out this image and you'll see:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=sinus+cavities&hl=en&a...
Take a hot, steamy shower tonight and do you have a Neil Med Sinus rinse kit? If not, perhaps you can pick one up on the way home and rinse well with that. If that does not start to clear things up in 24 hours, then please see your MD for additional help.
I had the same thing last month. I also thought which one is it? If it has not subsided at least a little, i would go see the doc. If the sinus infection is really bad, you should get antibiotics. Luckily, mine went away after about 4 days or so. At least it did subside a bit so I did not go to the doc. i prefer to take meds only if really needed.
Any chance you tend to clench your teeth when you get emotional/stressed? Even if just clenching them for a second or 2. That could explain why it hurt more at those times. You might not even realize you are doing it.
It sounds sinus related to me. A week or so ago I had something similar just on one side of my head. My back teeth on the right, top side of my mouth were hurting especially if I bent over to pick something up. I also had a headache just on that side, and my nose was stuffed up just on that side. My teeth hurt so bad that I wanted to go to the dentist, but I was sure it was sinus related. Sure enough, it went away after a few days.
It really sounds like a sinus infection to me. I have one spot on the top of my head that hurts right before I start to feel the pain in my cheek or teeth. Can you try a netti pot for some relief? If you'venever used one, just google some videos to get the idea. It really helps me when my sinus pain acts up. Also use nose spray throughout the day to keep things lubed and moving. Steam feels good, also.
Sinus infection. Get it taken care of quickly because it CAN spread to your teeth. That happened to me last year, and I ended up with a root canal. Lame.
Sounds sinus-y to me but your PCP is they way to go, I think.
take sudafed and/or do neti pot faithfully for a couple days.
if it goes away - it's sinus. if not, then either a full blown sinus infection or your teeth.
i sincerely doubt its your teeth - they tend to stay and get more painful as time goes on - not be off and on.
Could be one or the other, or even both. Tooth/root infections can 'spread' up into the lower area of the sinuses if a root ruptures the sinus. (happened to me after my sister accidently punched me in karate.) But, since your dental hygiene sounds good it's unlikely that root issue crept up that fast. The pain you are describing could only be associated with an abcess.
Some lower sinus infections will irritate the nerve that runs above your upper molars.
Good news is that either an MD or DDS is going to treat them the same exact way. I'd start with your MD. An office visit with a NP is going to be cheaper than a full visit with the DDS because the DDS will want to do xrays.
I've had tooth infections and the pain is in the gum above the tooth that's infected. In one case there was an actual bump and in the other not. When I pressed on the tooth it hurt. I didn't have a headache with either one.
I suggest it's a sinus infection or some other medical issue having nothing to do with your teeth.
Your teeth and head may hurt because you're clenching the teeth. I have that problem, too. I didn't realize I was doing that until the dentist said that the wear on my teeth showed that I did. Clenching your teeth can cause them to hurt and if you're upset you could be clenching them.
Well normally I'd day sinus infection but just last week I has a friend at work who had a toothache and needed a root camel. She was told it could get into the sinuses.
