Chronic Sinus Issues Could Be Down To A Tooth Infection

If you have been suffering from chronic sinus infections, you will no doubt be wanting to find answers and solutions. But did you know that an infected tooth could cause frequent reoccurring sinus issues?
Maxillary sinusitis of odontogenic origin is when an infection in the root of your tooth spreads to your sinuses. Your upper back teeth have roots that can extend towards the cheekbones, reaching the maxillary sinus. If one tooth has an infection, you are at risk of it spreading through the root of the tooth and into the sinus.

Symptoms
Symptoms of sinus infections caused by dental-related sinusitis include sinus congestion, sinus pressure, allergy-like nasal issues, facial swelling, pressure pain, headaches and even nausea. Your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. This will be a temporary solution, as the issue with the offending tooth will remain untreated. The sinus infection will keep returning until the underlying tooth infection is rectified.
As with many sinusitis sufferers who do not routinely experience tooth-related pain, it can be hard to identify that the sinus problems are a side effect of a tooth infection. This means that many sufferers will have reoccurring sinus infection for months or even years before the real cause of the problem is recognised and correctly diagnosed. Seeking advice from a dentist is the best course of action.

Treatment
The good news is that once diagnosed, sinusitis of dental origin can be readily treated. Often, root canal therapy will eradicate the bacteria responsible for the infection. If the infection has come from a tooth that has previously undergone root canal treatment, a second root canal procedure can sometimes be performed. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the correct way forward.
In addition, you may need treatment for the sinusitis, such as with antibiotics, nasal steroid or decongestant sprays and/or saltwater rinses. If your symptoms persist despite the above treatments, it is best to seek professional advice from the likes of London ENT.
If you would like further information about the treatments and procedures that we offer at London ENT, feel free to contact us using our online contact form.