Some people feel toothache when they have a cold. What is the reason for this?
To answer this question, the Carré Dental Clinic in Cologne, Germany, said that toothache when suffering from a cold is usually a sign of sinusitis, explaining that the inflammation causes swelling of the mucous membranes, which causes pressure on the roots of the teeth and causes pain.
Other symptoms of sinusitis include:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Feeling of pressure on the forehead and cheekbones
- General fatigue
Symptoms usually subside once the inflammation subsides and the swelling of the mucous membranes goes away.
What helps relieve toothache during a cold?
The pressure on the jaw can be reduced through the following measures:
- Clean the mucous membranes to reduce swelling with a saline nasal wash or rinse with saline
- Inhaling chamomile steam has a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect.
- Tried treatments, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, help relieve pain.
As the cold fades, the toothache usually goes away as well. If tooth pain persists, a dentist should be consulted to determine the cause, which may lie, for example, in radiculitis or tooth decay.