Sinusitis is a common condition that causes inflammation and swelling of the sinuses. The sinuses are air-filled pockets behind the forehead, cheeks, and eyes. When the sinuses become inflamed and swollen due to a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, it can lead to sinusitis.
One of the most common symptoms of sinusitis is pain and pressure around the sinus cavities. This often manifests as facial pain and tenderness in areas like the cheeks, forehead, and upper teeth. In some cases, sinusitis may also cause referred pain in the jaw and teeth.
What causes jaw pain with sinusitis?
There are a few reasons why sinusitis often leads to jaw pain:
- Inflammation around the maxillary sinuses can put pressure on the upper back teeth, leading to jaw pain.
- Blocked sinus drainage can cause buildup and inflammation in the sinuses near the upper teeth, also leading to jaw pain.
- Some of the major nerves that innervate the upper teeth run close to the sinuses. Inflammation and swelling in the sinuses can irritate these nerves, causing referred jaw pain.
So in summary, the close proximity between the upper teeth/jaw and the sinuses allows sinus inflammation to radiate into jaw discomfort quite easily.
How long does sinusitis jaw pain typically last?
The duration of jaw pain caused by sinusitis can vary greatly depending on:
- The severity of the sinus infection
- Whether it is caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus
- How quickly and effectively it is treated
Here is an overview of how long you can expect sinusitis jaw pain to last in different scenarios:
Viral sinus infections:
For mild-to-moderate viral sinusitis, jaw pain typically lasts:
- 5 to 7 days without treatment
- 3 to 5 days if treated appropriately with decongestants and pain medication
Bacterial sinus infections:
For bacterial sinusitis, jaw pain often lasts:
- 10 to 14 days without antibiotic treatment
- 5 to 7 days when treated with a full course of antibiotics
Fungal sinus infections:
Fungal sinusitis may cause jaw pain lasting:
- Weeks to months without antifungal treatment
- 2 to 3 weeks with antifungal medications
Chronic sinusitis:
If sinusitis becomes chronic with repeated flare-ups, jaw pain may come and go over the course of many months.
Treating sinusitis jaw pain
To help relieve sinusitis jaw pain faster, treatment should focus on:
- Draining the sinuses – This can be done with nasal irrigation, decongestants, steams, etc.
- Reducing inflammation – Anti-inflammatories and steroid nasal sprays can help
- Treating the underlying infection – Antibiotics for bacteria, antifungals for fungus
- Pain relief – Over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen.
Seeing an ENT doctor to diagnose the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment can help significantly shorten how long sinusitis jaw pain lasts.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor if you have:
- Severe, persistent jaw pain lasting more than a week
- Jaw pain along with a fever or thick nasal discharge
- Frequent bouts of sinusitis with jaw pain
Seeing an ENT specialist is recommended, as they can do imaging tests to assess the sinuses and determine if bacterial or fungal infections are causing chronic sinusitis.
Outlook for sinusitis jaw pain
With proper diagnosis and treatment, sinusitis jaw pain should resolve within 1-2 weeks in most otherwise healthy individuals.
However, some people may deal with frequent recurrences of acute sinusitis or develop chronic sinusitis. This can mean repeated bouts of jaw pain. Ongoing management with nasal irrigation, anti-inflammatories, and other medications may be needed in these cases.
Very rarely, a severe sinus infection spreads to the jaw and causes an abscess. This requires emergency medical care to drain the abscess and prevent complications.
Overall, sinusitis jaw pain can be quite uncomfortable but typically resolves fully once the sinus infection clears with proper treatment.
Tips for relieving sinusitis jaw pain at home
While waiting for sinusitis jaw pain to resolve, you can try these self-care tips to find relief:
- Use warm compresses on the affected areas of the face and jaw
- Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Drink lots of fluids and get extra rest
- Use saline nasal irrigation to flush out thick mucus
- Try a humidifier to moisturize and open the sinuses
- Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke exposure
- Gently massage the jaw, cheeks, and sides of the face
- Avoid hard or chewy foods that require extensive chewing
See a doctor promptly if symptoms persist or worsen despite home treatment. With the right care, sinusitis jaw pain should resolve within 1-2 weeks in most people.
| Type of Sinusitis | Duration of Jaw Pain |
|---|---|
| Viral sinusitis | 5-7 days without treatment 3-5 days with treatment |
| Bacterial sinusitis | 10-14 days without antibiotics 5-7 days with antibiotics |
| Fungal sinusitis | Weeks to months without treatment 2-3 weeks with antifungals |
| Chronic sinusitis | Repeated episodes over months |
Conclusion
In summary, sinusitis jaw pain is common but usually temporary. With proper rest, hydration, pain relief and treatment of the underlying sinus infection, jaw discomfort should improve within 1-2 weeks. However, chronic sinusitis may cause repeated episodes. Seeking medical care is key, as ENT doctors can provide the necessary testing and treatment to help clear up sinus infections and relieve associated jaw pain sooner.