How Teeth can be Related to Sinus Infections

Sinus Infections and Teeth

It may surprise you to learn that what is commonly referred to as a sinus tooth infection may also be a sinus infection, making itself known through pain in your tooth.

Just above your upper molars, way in the back, is an area known as the maxillary sinus cavity. This area of your sinus normally drains through a hole in your nose, but if the hole becomes blocked for any reason, the fluid can build up in the maxillary cavity and become infected.

The roots of those back molars actually extend up into this sinus cavity, and when the pressure from the fluid builds, the result is pain in the tooth, what most people refer to as a sinus tooth infection.

However, it can happen the other way around. An infection in one of those maxillary molars can travel up the root into the sinus cavity, again resulting in what we call a sinus tooth infection.

A sinus tooth infection can be a little confusing for dentists to diagnose right off the bat. If there is any decay already showing on the molars, a dentist may naturally assume that to be the cause of the discomfort. However, treating the cavities will not provide relief from the sinus pain.

Perhaps one of the best early indicators of a sinus tooth infection is that all the teeth in the back area of the mouth hurt, not just one. If further examination provides evidence of a maxillary sinus infection, your dentist will proceed accordingly.

To relieve the sinus tooth infection pain, your dentist will treat the sinus infection with a course of antibiotics, such as tetracycline for adult patients.

Tetracycline is known to cause yellowing in forming teeth, but this isn't a problem for adults. The course for tetracycline is longer than most antibiotics, and suits the sinus tooth infection because there are no blood vessels in the maxillary area and it takes longer for the infection to subside.

A little education is a great tool. Now that you know the underlying cause of a sinus tooth infection, you'll be able to recognize it sooner if it ever happens. You and your dentist will be able to get a jump on your sinus tooth infection sooner, and you'll be out of pain even quicker.