It’s frustrating enough to deal with the symptoms of a cold: nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and body aches. But for many people, another puzzling symptom surfaces, which is tooth pain. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Why do my teeth hurt when I have a cold?” you’re not alone.
Tooth pain during a cold can be confusing, especially when there are no obvious dental issues like cavities or broken teeth. This article explains why your teeth might hurt when you’re unwell, what causes the discomfort, and what you can do to relieve it while protecting your overall oral health in the process.
Understanding the Connection Between Colds and Tooth Pain
The common cold affects more than just your respiratory system. It can also impact your maxillary sinuses, the air-filled spaces located above your upper rear teeth. When these sinuses become inflamed or blocked due to a viral infection, it can create pressure that pushes down on the roots of your upper teeth.
This pressure, also known as sinus pressure, can make it feel like your upper teeth are aching or even throbbing. It’s often mistaken for a dental problem when, in fact, the source is sinus-related.
Sinus Infection vs Common Cold: What’s Causing the Pain?
While a cold virus is typically the initial trigger, a sinus infection (or acute sinusitis) can follow if the congestion doesn’t clear up. When the sinuses remain blocked, they can trap bacteria, leading to a secondary bacterial infection. This results in increased inflammation, thick yellow mucus, facial tenderness, and, yes, more intense tooth pain.
When caused by a sinus infection, tooth discomfort typically targets the upper back teeth and feels more like a constant ache than a sharp pain. If the pain persists for more than a week or worsens over time, you could be dealing with a more serious dental condition or a lingering sinus infection that requires medical attention.
Why Do Teeth Feel More Sensitive During a Cold?
Beyond sinus pressure, you may experience heightened sensitivity in your teeth when sick due to other factors, including:
- Dry mouth: Colds often bring a stuffy nose, which leads to mouth breathing. This dries out your oral tissues, reducing saliva flow and causing sensitive teeth.
- Sore throat and cough drops: Many people use throat lozenges to soothe throat pain. If these aren’t sugar-free cough drops, the sugar can feed oral bacteria and increase plaque buildup.
- Acidic over-the-counter medicines: Effervescent cold medicines and syrups can erode your tooth enamel, especially when consumed frequently or before bed.
All these elements can compromise your dental health, especially when combined with decreased attention to regular brushing during illness.
Tooth Sensitivity or Something More?
It’s important to distinguish between temporary tooth sensitivity caused by a cold and a more persistent dental issue. While sinus pressure and dry mouth are common culprits, tooth pain that lingers after recovery might signal something else, like tooth decay, gum disease, or even a cracked or broken tooth.
In some cases, pain in just one tooth (as opposed to multiple upper teeth) is more likely to be a localised dental issue, not a sinus-related problem.
If the discomfort is severe or continues after your other symptoms clear up, it’s time to visit your dentist to rule out more serious causes like periodontal disease or an infection at the root of a tooth.
Cold Air and Sensitive Teeth
For some, cold air during the winter months can trigger sharp pain in their teeth. This happens when the tooth enamel is worn down or the gums have receded, exposing the dentin underneath. The nerve endings in dentin are sensitive to temperature changes, leading to discomfort when breathing in cold air through your mouth or nose.
If you already have sensitive teeth, being sick with a cold or flu may amplify this sensation due to dehydration, inflammation, and poor oral hygiene.
Best Practices for Managing Tooth Pain During a Cold
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce discomfort and support your oral health even when you’re feeling under the weather:
1. Stay Hydrated
A dry mouth increases bacterial growth and discomfort. Drink plenty of water to support saliva flow and keep your mouth moist.
2. Use Sugar-Free Remedies
Choose sugar-free cough drops or chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva and soothe a sore throat without feeding bacteria.
3. Practise Gentle Oral Care
Even when you’re not feeling your best, maintaining your dental routine is essential. Use a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to protect sensitive areas and clean near the gum line without irritation.
4. Clear Your Nasal Passages
Use saline sprays or steam inhalation to reduce nasal congestion and alleviate pressure in your maxillary sinuses. Decongestants can also help open blocked nasal passages, but use them according to medical advice.
5. Avoid Trigger Foods
Steer clear of overly sweet, acidic, or hard foods while sick, especially if you’re experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity. These can worsen existing issues or damage weakened enamel.
When to See a Dentist
Tooth pain caused by a cold virus or sinus pressure usually resolves once your symptoms subside. However, you should book a dental appointment if:
- The pain persists beyond your cold
- Pain occurs in one tooth only
- You observe any signs such as dental decay, swollen gums, or symptoms of gum disease.
- There’s sensitivity when chewing or biting down
- You suspect a broken tooth or bacterial infection
Any of these signs could indicate a more serious dental condition that goes beyond cold-related discomfort.
Prevention: Protecting Your Teeth Year-Round
Good dental habits don’t just support your teeth during a cold. They also reduce the risk of developing issues like plaque buildup, sensitive teeth, and bacterial infections in the first place.
Here’s what you can do to protect your teeth and gums throughout the year:
- Brush twice daily using fluoride toothpaste
- Make daily flossing part of your routine to dislodge trapped food and maintain healthy gums.
- Attend routine dental appointments to have your teeth examined and professionally cleaned.
- Consider wearing a protective mouthguard at night if you tend to grind or clench your teeth.
- Swap out your toothbrush every three to four months, and always after you’ve been unwell.
Maintaining overall oral health strengthens your body’s defences during illness and can even improve your immune system’s response to infections.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore Tooth Pain During a Cold
It’s easy to dismiss dental discomfort as just another cold symptom. But when your teeth hurt, whether from sinus pain, dry mouth, or heightened sensitivity, it’s your body’s way of signalling that something needs attention.
Understanding what’s causing your discomfort is the first step to relief. Most of the time, tooth pain during a cold is temporary and resolves as you recover. But if the pain doesn’t go away or feels unusual, it’s worth checking in with a dentist to rule out deeper problems.
If you’re concerned about lingering tooth pain during or after a cold, or want clarity on whether it’s sinus-related or a more serious dental issue, book a consultation with our emergency doctor or call (08) 7078 8263.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Resources
Brennan, R. (2023). ‘What to Know About Tooth Decay Stages’. WebMD, 6 September. New York, NY: WebMD LLC. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/what-to-know-tooth-decay-stages
Brennan, R. (2023). ‘Tooth Enamel Erosion and Restoration’. WebMD, 4 April. New York, NY: WebMD LLC. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tooth-enamel-erosion-restoration
Watson, S. (2024). ‘Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)’. WebMD, 9 February. New York, NY: WebMD LLC. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/gingivitis-periodontal-disease