Your maxillary sinuses are very close upstairs neighbors of your top teeth. In some areas, only a sliver of tissue separates the upper tooth roots from the bottom of the sinus cavity. It’s no wonder that when there is pain in that general area, the particular location can be hard to discover.
Allergies, infections, and the common cold can irritate sinus tissues. When sinus tissues become inflamed and infected, it can influence the teeth.
In severe cases, swollen sinus tissues can actually move the teeth slightly, changing the bite. The reverse scenario can also take place. The infection surrounding an abscessed tooth can easily travel to the sinus cavity.
An abscess is an infected pocket of pus in a tooth and/or the surrounding bone and tissue. The most frequent type of oral abscess initiates in the pulp of the tooth and is generally caused by dental cavities.
When an abscess is small, it may go unnoticed but it will eventually lead to pain.
An abscess can cause complete tooth loss and the infection can also destroy jawbone.
If an abscess damages the tooth until it is beyond saving and requires extraction, a dental implant is one replacement option – but only if there is enough bone to anchor the implant.
How can you tell an abscessed tooth from a sinus infection?
Sinus pain typically manifests itself as a dull, continuous pain while the pain from an abscessed tooth increases in intensity. If you tap on an abscessed tooth, you will probably feel a sharp shot of pain.
You have several sinus cavities, and pain can emanate from any or all of them, so if you have infection in more than one sinus cavity, you may have pain behind the nose and eyes. As mentioned previously, it’s possible to be in a world of hurt with both issues – an abscessed tooth and a sinus infection.
Call Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry is you have pain in your upper jaw and lower sinus area. An abscessed tooth should never be ignored. If it’s a sinus infection, your doctor can help you. This is a situation where you need advice from both your dental and medical care provider.
Contact Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry:
303-665-5335
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026
