Getting to the root cause of any pain your child might be undergoing is important to help them feel better and addressing any underlying conditions that might be at play. If your child’s teeth hurt, a sinus infection could be the culprit.

What’s the Connection?

Little boy with red nose crying and holding his parent’s hand

It may surprise some to learn that hurting teeth and sinus infections can be related. But believe it or not, this association is a fairly common one. A sinus infection making teeth hurt is something that can be experienced by individuals of all ages, from toddlers to adults. Of course, to treat your child’s tooth pain effectively, it’s a good idea to learn the signs and symptoms that might mean a sinus infection is the reason they’re experiencing tooth pain.

How It Works

The connection between hurting teeth and sinus infection has to do with the proximity of the sinuses to the jaw. According to the Mayo Clinic, sinus infection – or sinusitis – often stems from the inflammation of the sinuses, which can in turn cause pain to the surrounding area. As a brief overview, the sinus cavities are essentially open spaces located in the skull, with the largest sinus cavities directly above the rear portion of the upper jaw. In fact, these sinuses and teeth are so closely positioned that the roots of the upper teeth may actually extend into the sinus cavities. With this basic understanding of the geography of the sinuses and jaw, it’s easy to see why a sinus infection might make teeth hurt.

The Signs and Symptoms to Look For

When your child’s teeth hurt, a sinus infection is just one of several possible causes of the pain. That’s why it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms that indicate when it is in fact a sinus infection making teeth hurt. Here are a couple of tips to help determine the root cause:

Upset little boy crying on couch with pillow
  • If your child is old enough to articulate what their pain feels like, ask them where exactly the pain is located. If they indicate that the pain is coming from the upper teeth in the back, this is often a sign that a sinus infection is to blame. If your child is too young to verbally express their symptoms, pay special attention to where they touch their face, and gently examine the area for signs of inflammation.
  • While it might sound obvious, attributing hurting teeth to a sinus infection often starts with identifying the sinus infection itself. Signs and symptoms of sinusitis include a stuffy nose, nasal discharge, general congestion, and a feeling of excess pressure in the face.

The Cause Could be at the Root

Two young children playing with toys on the floor of a playroom

For parents trying to figure out why their child’s teeth hurt, a sinus infection can often be at the root. Sinusitis causes that are especially likely to affect children include unclean air (such as smoke in the home), seasonal allergies, bottle drinking when the child is lying on the back, contagious illness from other children in a school or daycare environment, and even pacifier usage.