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 swollen and infected, it can influence the teeth.
In extreme 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 common type of oral abscess originates in the pulp of the tooth and is commonly caused by cavities.
When an abscess is small, it may go unnoticed but it will eventually result in tooth pain.
An abscess can cause total tooth loss and the infection can also destroy jawbone.
If an abscess impairs 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 generally 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 possibly 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 troubles – an abscessed tooth and a sinus infection.
Call Kenneth Hovden DDS is you have pain in your upper jaw and lower sinus area. An abscessed tooth should never be ignored. Dr. Hovden is your go to dentist for tooth pain relief. If it’s a sinus infection, your doctor can help you. This is a situation where you need counsel from both your dental and medical care provider.
Contact Kenneth Hovden DDS:
650-755-6000
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City, California
94015
