Dentists and Sinus Infections

The teeth are actually directly connected to the sinuses. The upper teeth, specifically, connect to the maxillary sinuses. Sometimes these teeth and the gums surrounding them can become infected. If they do, the infection can head into the sinuses and cause, you guessed it, a sinus infection. The infection in the upper teeth is a dental problem that needs to be treated by a dentist.

Of course, there are many steps you can take to prevent this problem. The first is good oral hygiene, including plenty of flossing. Bacteria that causes these types of infections is not adequately removed by brushing alone. Flossing is necessary to loosen the buildup that occurs at the gum line and between the teeth.

Next, individuals who suffer from frequent sinus infections need to make plenty of regular visits to dentists. They need regular checkups and regular cleanings to ensure that their teeth are staying as healthy as possible. If they notice any abscesses forming on the gums, they need to be seen right away. These abscesses can allow bacteria to enter the maxillary sinus cavity quite easily.

However, these infections often require the attention of both dentists and medical doctors to clear completely. Medical doctors are able to prescribe the necessary drugs to clear out the sinus infection, while dental practitioners can deal with the gum infections that are causing the sinus problems.

Often, infections in the sinuses that connect to the teeth are hard to distinguish from general tooth pain, because they do cause a strong ache in the teeth. This can make patients confused as to which doctor they need to see. In general, if the cheeks hurt to the touch, it is likely a sinus issue, not a dental issue. Sinus pain will cause the upper back teeth to ache, and it may come on suddenly and hurt when you chew. Gum or tooth problems can affect any and all teeth in the body, and it typically includes gum inflammation. Sinus toothaches can also cause facial swelling, fever, a runny nose and headaches, which are not common with general toothaches.

Because these two problems have very similar symptoms, many patients are confused as to what type of care to seek when their upper back teeth hurt. If your teeth hurt and you are unsure whether it is a sinus infection or a dental issue, head to the dentist. Dentists are trained to rule out sinus infections and send you to the medical doctor if you need that type of help. And, when you visit the dentist, you will have the opportunity to rule out any dental issues that are causing your sinus problems. These might be overlooked by the medical doctor who is not trained to find them.