What front tooth pain under nose could be
If you're having front tooth pain right under the nose, it's probably a periapical abscess but it could also be a periodontal abscess, large cavity, or a gum issue.
Periapical abscess
The most probably cause of front teeth pain directly beneath the nose would be a periapical abscess due to the location of the infection/abscess.
Location of periapical abscess: Periapical abscesses form at the root tip, which means that the distance between the infection and the nose is quite close. Below is an x-ray showing the location of what it may look like.
The actual crown of the tooth is right underneath the lip but the tip of the root goes much further up. You can approximate how far up the jaw the tip of the root goes and you'll land right next to the nose.
Due to the proximity of the abscess location, a common symptom would be nose pain.
Over time, the infection will develop a pimple on the gums called a parulis which oozes out white pus. Below is an intraoral photo showing an example of what it can look like.
Periodontal abscess
Another potential cause of a toothache involving front teeth and the nose would be a periodontal abscess or a gum abscess.
This condition looks like a small gum swelling that enlarges as it worsens and when left untreated. The buildup of bacteria and the increasing size of it can cause a lot of discomfort.
In the photo above you can see the gums starting to swell around one tooth. It looks red, poofy, and bleeds easily. As you can imagine, the size of it can grow and get increasingly more painful.
Cavity to the pulp
Of course we can't forget pulp caries which is a large cavity that has reached the nerve. If this happens with your front tooth, it can feel like nose pain due to the location of the tooth.
This type of cavity may or may not be accompanied with a cavitation or hole in your tooth. The most advanced stage of it will present with a large hole in your tooth.
However, if it is not yet at end stage, you may not visibly see a hole. Although the tooth will often start looking darker or browner as the cavity progresses.
Gum problem
It's not uncommon to experience a front toothache from a misc gum problem such as from excessive tartar buildup or a lodged foreign object.
Large tartar buildup: Overdue dental cleanings can lead to large buildups of calculus or tartar, which is essentially calcium buildup. The presence of this next to the gums can trigger severe immune system responses such as swelling, bleeding, and pain.
Below is an example of what the calcium buildup can look like.
Lodged foreign body: Another potential cause may be a lodged foreign object such as a tortilla chip or even a fish bone. This will usually cause pain, bleeding, and swelling. If this happens to a front tooth, you may feel discomfort with your nose due to the proximity.
What front tooth pain under nose is not
Front tooth pain right underneath your nose is definitively not from a sinus infection. I repeat, this condition is not because of sinusitis, sinus pressure, or anything related to the sinus at all.
Why it can't be the sinus: Based on human anatomy, it is not physically possible for your maxillary sinus to affect your front teeth because they are nowhere near each other. If you need proof, just look at the sample pano x-ray below.
The maxillary sinus are directly located right above the posterior teeth, namely the back molars and premolars. It is NOT close to the front teeth at all. This makes it impossible for a front toothache under your nose to be caused by your sinus.
But if you're having back teeth pain, a sinus toothache could be a potential cause...
What you should do
All of the potential causes of pain with the front teeth near the nose will require a visit to the dentist for professional treatment. However, there are some at home things you can do to alleviate some of the discomfort while you wait for your appointment.
Dental treatment:
Root canal. For periapical abscesses or large cavities, the nerve of the tooth will be removed from the tooth while the tooth remains intact. You should be thoroughly numb for the procedure and should not feel any discomfort aside from the initial injection.
Deep cleaning. If it is an issue pertaining to the gingiva/gums, you will need a deep cleaning. Your dentist will clean below the gumlinhttps://www.jacksonavedental.com/post/the-absolute-best-pain-reliever-for-toothache-yes-it-s-otce and onto the root surface to remove any foreign body or tartar buildup that may be present.
Antibiotics. You may require a round of antibiotics whether it be in the form of pills or a rinse depending on how bad the infection was.
Home remedies:
OTC pain medication. Taking some ibuprofen can help reduce the pain and inflammation which can help hold you over until you can make it to the dentist. As of the moment, one of the most potent toothache pain medication and recently FDA approved is Advil Dual Action.
Use mouthwash. This can be listerine or even as simple as a salt water rinse. Rinsing frequently can help keep the area clean of food/debris/bacteria which may exacerbate your condition.
Avoid triggering foods. Usually acidic, spicy, or sweet foods can make it worse. It would behoove you to minimize or eliminate these foods from your diet until you resolve your condition.
The bottom line is, you need to schedule a professional dental consultation as soon as possible.
