Your teeth might hurt when your head is upside down primarily due to sinus pressure affecting the nerves near your upper teeth.
The Sinus-Tooth Connection
Your sinuses are air-filled cavities located near your nose and cheeks. The roots of your upper molars are situated very close to these sinuses. When the sinuses become inflamed or congested – due to allergies, a cold, or a sinus infection – the increased pressure can irritate the nerves shared between the sinuses and upper teeth.
How Head Position Affects Sinus Pressure
Inverting your head, like when you're upside down, can exacerbate this pressure. Gravity pulls fluids within the sinuses downwards, increasing the pressure specifically on the nerves near your teeth. This increased pressure leads to the tooth pain you experience. As referenced earlier, movements like running or quickly changing head position can impact the sensation of sinus pressure related tooth pain.
Other Potential Causes (Less Likely)
While sinus pressure is the most probable explanation, other, less likely, causes could contribute to tooth pain when upside down:
- Tooth Abscess: An infection at the root of a tooth could be sensitive to pressure changes. While head position alone likely wouldn't cause the pain, the increased blood flow to the head might intensify existing inflammation.
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: TMJ disorders affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Changing head position could shift the jaw and put pressure on sensitive areas, leading to referred pain in the teeth.
- Referred Pain: Pain from elsewhere in the head or neck could be perceived as tooth pain when your head is inverted.
What To Do
If you experience tooth pain when your head is upside down, consider the following:
- Treat sinus congestion: If the pain is related to sinus pressure, addressing the underlying congestion with decongestants, nasal irrigation, or allergy medication can help.
- Consult a dentist: Rule out any dental issues such as cavities, abscesses, or TMJ problems.
- See a doctor: If you suspect a sinus infection, a doctor can diagnose and prescribe appropriate treatment, such as antibiotics.
