Can a tooth infection cause a sinus infection?

Can a tooth infection cause a sinus infection?

Cleveland Clinic's periapical abscess page says that if the abscessed tooth is near the maxillary sinuses, the infection can spread into the sinus cavity. The upper back teeth sit close to these sinuses. A sinus infection that keeps coming back on one side, or that comes with tooth pain, is worth a dental exam, because treating a sinus infection without treating a tooth cause may not fix it. Antibiotics alone do not clear a tooth abscess, according to Cleveland Clinic, and the tooth still needs treatment.

What symptoms does a tooth abscess cause?

Cleveland Clinic lists severe, throbbing toothache, pain radiating to the ear, neck or jaw, pain when chewing or biting, sensitivity to heat and cold, bad breath or a bad taste, facial swelling, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw and fever, and says some people never have pain. Healthline lists pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when chewing, a bitter taste, swollen or red gums, bad breath, fever, swollen neck glands and a swollen jaw. MouthHealthy lists pain, swelling, gum redness, a bad taste and fever.

Can a tooth infection cause clogged ears?

Cleveland Clinic lists pain radiating to the ear as a symptom, and does not mention clogged ears. A sinus infection, if it develops, can cause ear fullness, but that is general knowledge and is not from the sources we read. If you have ear pain or fullness with tooth pain, see a dentist and a doctor.

Can a tooth infection cause dizziness, vertigo or diarrhea?

The sources we read do not list dizziness, vertigo or diarrhea. Cleveland Clinic lists nausea or vomiting among emergency signs of a tooth abscess, and Healthline says that serious complications include sepsis, with signs that include fever, malaise, headache, nausea or vomiting and a rapid heart rate. Dizziness or diarrhea together with fever or facial swelling can mean the infection is spreading, so seek urgent care. Otherwise, see a doctor for the cause.

What happens if an abscess bursts or pops in your mouth?

Cleveland Clinic says you may feel relief and notice foul-tasting fluid, but the infection is not gone, so you should still see a dentist. The NHS says a dental abscess will not go away on its own. See our guide on whether you can die from a tooth infection for what not to do, including popping an abscess.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

Cleveland Clinic says dentists use a visual exam, including gentle tapping on the tooth to check for pressure sensitivity, and dental X-rays to show how far the infection has spread, with a dental CT scan if it may have reached the neck. Treatment includes antibiotics, incision and drainage, root canal therapy and extraction if the tooth cannot be saved. See our tooth infection and gum infection guides.

What to do while waiting for care

Healthline says over-the-counter pain relievers or warm salt water rinses can ease pain until you can see a dentist, and that only a dentist can treat an abscess. Do not delay if you have swelling or fever. Cleveland Clinic and the NHS list the same emergency signs: trouble breathing or swallowing, facial swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, high fever and severe pain.

Questions to ask your dentist

Ask whether the tooth is behind your symptoms.

• Could my sinus symptoms be coming from a tooth?
• Which tooth is involved, and can it be saved?
• Do I need antibiotics, drainage or a root canal?
• What warning signs mean I should go to the emergency room?
• Should I also see my doctor about my sinuses or ears?

Frequently asked questions