Everyone has a maxillary sinus on each side of the nose. The upper back teeth go into these sinuses and this can cause a sinus toothache. If a sinus has an infection, it can fill up with fluid and cause the entire lining to become inflamed. Patients can feel pain in their upper back teeth and go to the dentist for this problem. The maxillary sinuses drain into the nose. Nothing happens in the sinus unless the drain into the nose is blocked. Swelling in the nose can cause blockage of the drain and fluid builds up in the sinus because of the nasal blockage.

          When the sinus fills up with fluid, bacteria can grow in the fluid because the sinus is warm, dark, and moist. The sinus problems started with the nose blocking up and this is usually caused by nasal and breathing allergies. Many physicians recommend nasal steriod sprays to reduce the swelling in the nose that causes the sinus problems.

          Why is a dentist interested in this? Because continued nasal and sinus problems can lead to poor dental development. These problems can make doing orthodontics very difficult.

          For the short term a patient can spray their nose with sea salt spray. This moistens the nasal area and can loosen the snot blocking the sinus exit. Take hot showers and breath in the hot spray to moisten your nose. Finally, fill up your tub and just let the water evaporate so that the air will stay moist. Lots of problems happen when the heating or cooling systems dry out the air because this dries out your nose.

          If simple methods are not eliminating your sinus problems, the use of antibiotics may be needed. However, because everything is badly blocked up in your sinuses, antibiotics may need more time than normal ( 10 days ) to resolve your sinus tooth pain.Augmentin, Zithromax (Z-pak), Tetracycline and any one of a group of medications including Levaquin, Trovan, or Raxxar are commonly used.

          If you have dental and sinus problems and would like to consult with our senior Georgia Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, call 404-874-7428 for an appointment.

      nose & sinus information