Could a Sinus Infection Indicate a Dental Issue?

If you have chronic issues with sinus pain and you feel it all the way in your teeth, you aren’t imagining things. Sinus discomfort and dental issues can be linked. Read on to learn more about the connection between your sinuses and teeth!

Sinus Pain & Teeth

At Parkside Family Dental, we see a lot of patients with sinus pain and congestion, especially around this time of year. We are always careful to make sure there aren’t underlying problems with the teeth and gums when we see these patients. That’s because chronic issues with the sinuses can be linked to the teeth, and vice versa. The wall of bone between the upper teeth and the neighboring maxillary sinus is thin. This means that when the teeth and gums get infected, or if the maxillary sinus gets infected, harmful bacteria can spread between the two cavities. Therefore, if you think you are experiencing signs of gum disease or a dental abscess, especially with accompanying sinus pressure or pain, let us know.

Treatment

At your appointment, we will examine your teeth and gums to determine the best course of treatment. Rest assured that whatever we recommend is to improve your oral health and protect you from further damage and infection. If you have a dental abscess, we may need to perform root canal therapy. But don’t be afraid! Although root canal procedures have a bad reputation, they are routine, safe, and virtually painless. In fact, we will ensure you are as comfortable as possible with our dental sedation and anesthesia. After your root canal treatment, you should notice a drastic reduction in your oral pain and any related sinus pain. If you have diseased gums, we will suggest ways to restore the health of your gums, such as by prescribing a special antibacterial mouthrinse and instructing in proper dental hygiene.

Preventive Oral Care

Regardless of the current health of your mouth, we exhort you to brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss every day, drink plenty of water, and eat a nutritious diet high in whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables and low in acidic and sugary foods and beverages.