Can Braces Cause Sinus Problems: Understanding the Connection

Key Takeaways

• Close Connection: The upper jaw and maxillary sinuses are closely linked so that dental issues can affect sinus health.
• Infections: Tooth root infections can spread to sinuses, causing odontogenic sinusitis.
• Misalignment Issues: Crooked teeth can block mucus drainage, raising the risk of sinusitis.
• Inflammation Triggers: Braces or gum disease can create pathways for bacteria to reach the sinuses.
• Seek Help Early: See a professional if you notice new sinus problems or sharp dental pain.
• Preventive Care: Maintain good oral hygiene and treat dental issues promptly to protect sinus health.

The Overlap between Teeth and Sinuses

As we dive into the relationship between the maxillary sinuses and oral health, let’s build on the analogy of a high-rise building. When you think of yourself in a high-rise building, each unit is a tenant who is living their own life, but may have some overlap. The overlap is because everybody is on the same foundation. The foundation is the human body and has various systems that all need to function well together.

The maxillary sinuses are positioned directly above the roots of your upper back teeth, aka the cheekbone, and are one of the largest sinuses. So, it is easy to see how something happening in the maxillary sinus may impact the teeth or vice versa, especially since they are relatively close to each other.

One clear example of this relationship is sinusitis, which is a condition where the sinus cavities become inflamed and may fill with fluid, thus creating pressure on the underlying tooth roots. The result can be a throbbing toothache, providing the patient with textbook symptoms of a dental problem, when the cause of discomfort is the sinuses.

On the flip side, dental structure and alignment can also influence sinus health. An example of this is a misaligned upper jaw, which can lead to a narrowing of the nasal cavity. This anatomical change can hinder airflow, making it more difficult for the individual to breathe freely. Such conditions highlight how the physical arrangement of the teeth can impact the functional aspects of the nasal passages.

Interestingly, orthodontic treatments demonstrate the bidirectional nature of this relationship. For instance, procedures designed to expand the palate may alleviate nasal congestion by providing more space for airflow, ultimately resulting in easier breathing. This interconnectedness underscores the importance of holistic approaches to treatment, where addressing dental issues may also yield benefits for sinus health and vice versa.

How Orthodontics Can Affect Sinuses

Most patients never think about their sinuses when they get braces. But orthodontic treatment, especially in the upper jaw, can shift structures just enough to affect airflow and drainage.

Impaired Sinus Drainage

Not only do crowded teeth look crowded, but they can also crowd the sinus passages. Think of this analogy: A busy highway with a lane that unexpectedly narrows during rush hour. Traffic quickly backs up! Misaligned teeth and narrow palates can do the same in terms of space for draining mucus. And that stagnant buildup creates an environment for infections and a chronic feeling of pressure.

Some patients even describe it as being in a state of “permanent head cold” until their bite is corrected.

Airway Obstruction

Here’s a detail most people overlook: the way your jaw sits affects how you breathe. A retruded or misaligned jaw can physically narrow your upper airway. This is why orthodontists also tend to notice if a patient suffers from chronic mouth breathing.

Mouth breathing skips the filtration process that the nose does, dries out oral tissues, promotes plaque build-up, and makes patients susceptible to oral health issues like cavities and gum inflammation. Additionally, in the long run, it can make sinus dryness and inflammation worse.

Breathing Difficulties and Palatal Expansion

On the positive side, orthodontic treatments can open up airways. Take palatal expanders in children, for example. By widening the upper jaw, expanders also expand the nasal cavity. This allows for smoother airflow through the nose and can reduce nighttime snoring or mouth breathing.

Parents sometimes notice surprising changes:

• Their child sleeps more quietly
• Bedtime congestion eases
• Daytime energy improves because of better sleep

That’s orthodontics influencing sinus health in the best possible way.

Read more about orthodontics & sinus issues .

How Sinus Issues Can Affect Teeth

The relationship works in reverse, too. When the sinuses are inflamed, they can make perfectly healthy teeth feel like they’re in trouble.

Tooth Pain & Pressure

The roots of the upper molars are located very close to the floor of the sinus. When the sinuses become swollen, most commonly by infection, but also by allergens or seasonal colds, they push on those roots. The patient will often say they have a dull ache radiating across multiple teeth.

Sinus pressure pain is different from a 'true' cavity, which typically only hurts when attacking a single tooth; sinus pressure pain diffuses, most often affecting multiple molars.

Misdiagnosis Risk

This is where things get tricky. A dentist seeing shadowy pain reports might assume a tooth is decayed and proceed with treatment. But if the pain source is actually the sinus, the dental work won’t solve the problem.

There are countless stories of patients undergoing fillings or even root canals only to discover their “toothache” was really a lingering sinus infection. That’s why collaboration between orthodontists, general dentists, and ENT specialists is critical.

Orthodontic Treatments That Help with Sinus Issues

Not all orthodontic treatments risk sinus irritation. In fact, many treatments are designed in ways that can reduce sinus strain and support healthier breathing.

Palatal Expanders

As mentioned earlier, expanders are game changers, particularly for children and teens. By creating more room in the upper jaw, they open the nasal passages too. Patients often report:

• Fewer sinus infections
• Reduced congestion during allergy season
• Noticeable improvements in sleep quality

It’s like widening a doorway so air can move more freely.

Braces and Sinus Health

Traditional braces are one of the most effective ways to correct bite problems, jaw misalignments, and crowded teeth, all of which can indirectly influence sinus health.

People also wonder, can braces cause a sore throat? When your teeth or jaws are misaligned, it can create airway restrictions or poor tongue posture, leading to chronic mouth breathing. This not only affects oral health but can also put added strain on your sinuses, causing congestion or frequent infections.

Braces work by gradually shifting your teeth into their proper position, which helps:

• Widen narrow arches and create more space for nasal passages
• Improve airflow through the nose, reducing mouth breathing
• Support proper tongue placement, which naturally encourages nasal breathing
• Ease pressure caused by crowded teeth pressing against the sinus walls

For many patients, braces don’t just result in a straight smile; they can relieve sinus-related discomfort, improve nighttime breathing, and promote long-term facial balance.

Quick tip: If you notice sinus pressure or tooth pain while wearing braces, don’t panic. Mild discomfort is normal as your jaw adjusts, but persistent or severe symptoms should be discussed with your orthodontist.

Aligners and Sinus Problems

Clear aligners, like those offered by Aligner32, provide a more discreet yet equally powerful option for correcting misalignments. Unlike traditional braces, aligners are removable and nearly invisible, making them an excellent choice for adults or teens who want flexibility.

Aligners can benefit sinus health by:

• Correcting mild to moderate crowding that may obstruct sinus drainage
• Improving bite alignment, which supports proper airway function
• Encouraging natural tongue posture, reducing chronic mouth breathing
• Offering a comfortable, irritation-free alternative for patients sensitive to metal braces

Because aligners are removable, they allow for easier cleaning and reduce the risk of plaque buildup, which can lead to gum inflammation and worsen sinus irritation.

Other Appliances

• Tongue repositioners can train proper oral posture
• Nightguards can prevent clenching that tightens the airway muscles
• Functional appliances in growing children can stimulate forward jaw growth, creating better airway space long-term

And when orthodontics alone can’t solve the problem? That’s when orthodontists refer patients to ENT specialists to evaluate enlarged adenoids, tonsils, or chronic sinus disease.

How to Get Rid of Sinus Infection; Additional Health Considerations

The orthodontic sinus relationship doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s influenced by age, genetics, growth, and even environmental factors.

Children & Early Treatment

Treating airway and sinus issues early in a child’s life can change their life. Take, for example, the 8-year-old who snores every night, wakes up groggy and cranky, and struggles in school. Parents may think the child is just having a behavioral issue. Usually, it is just a narrow palate and a chronic mouth breather.

Early orthodontic expansion can reestablish nasal breathing to restore better sleep, clearer focus, and improved protection from sinus infections for the child going forward.

Postnasal Drip Connection

Postnasal drip is the constant trickle of mucus down the throat. It often gets worse with poor drainage of the sinuses. The braces themselves do not cause this condition, and the issue can stem from crowded jaws or jaws that have not been developed behind the nose. Improving or fixing these structural issues may not eliminate allergies, but it can reduce the severity of how allergies affect drainage.

Holistic Care

There is a lot of overlap between sinus concerns and dental concerns, which is why holistic care is best. Patients require input from the orthodontist, ENT specialist, and have a medical need for a sleep medicine or sleep specialist. The best outcomes occur when all three practitioners are able to work together instead of in separate silos.

Read more about oral health .

Signs You Should Talk to Your Orthodontist

So how do you know if your sinus problems and dental alignment are connected? Watch for these signs:

• Repeated sinus infections despite antibiotics
• Pain across multiple upper molars with no obvious decay
• Mouth breathing, snoring, or restless sleep
• Chronic postnasal drip that doesn’t respond to treatment

If this sounds familiar, it’s worth discussing with your orthodontist. Sometimes, the solution is simpler and more dental than you might think.

The Smile, Sinus Connection with Aligner32

At Aligner32, we’ve seen firsthand how orthodontic care extends beyond straight teeth. Our aligners are crafted not only for cosmetic alignment but also to encourage better oral health and functional harmony.

Patients struggling with mouth breathing or subtle sinus issues often find aligner therapy supports healthier bite alignment and, in turn, more efficient breathing. With a properly aligned bite, the tongue rests where it should, the airway remains clearer, and sinus strain can be reduced.

We’re passionate about this holistic view of orthodontics because we know a smile isn’t just about looks. It’s about breathing better, sleeping better, and living better.

Braces For Sinus: Yes or No

The link between braces and sinus issues is not always apparent. Yes, orthodontic treatment can affect sinus pressure as the jaw moves, and that can cause temporary sinus pressure for some. However, for others, braces are the very mechanism that opens their airway and works in sinus infection treatment.

The key is balance, teeth, jaws, sinuses, and airway in sync. And when something feels off, do not throw it into the 'another sinus infection' or the 'just dental pain' bins. Sometimes the answers overlap.

At Aligner32, we treat the whole picture because your smile is connected to much more than you think.