The maintenance of good dental hygiene is important not just for your teeth and gums but for your sinuses as well. Some residents of Alberta may not realize that dental hygiene can significantly impact sinuses, causing extreme discomfort. The infections in your mouth can easily spread to your sinuses and create a cycle of inflammation and infection.
In fact, conditions such as sinusitis, affecting millions of individuals each year, often have untreated dental issues to blame. Regular dental check-ups and a good oral hygiene routine are important to protect your sinuses. Routine visits with a dentist in Leduc, Alberta, can help you address potential issues early on and prevent them from escalating.
What is the link between dental health and sinuses?
Dental and sinus health are closely connected due to the close anatomical proximity of the teeth to the maxillary sinuses. The roots of the upper molars are very close to the sinus cavities, which makes it very easy for an infection in the mouth to affect the sinuses directly. Therefore, when dental infections occur, they travel to your sinuses.
Impact of oral infections
Oral infections, such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth abscesses, are significant causes of sinus infections. If you have a tooth infection, especially in the upper molars at the back, you should be cautious about it traveling to the maxillary sinuses. Research indicates that more than 40% of sinusitis cases affecting the maxillary sinuses originate from dental infections.
Symptoms of a sinus infection
Sinus infections and dental infections often have overlapping symptoms. Therefore, it can be difficult to tell the difference. The following are some symptoms commonly observed:
- Tooth pain: Individuals often experience tooth pain, particularly in the upper molars.
- Facial pressure and discomfort: A sinus infection causes facial pressure, especially around the cheeks and forehead.
- Nasal congestion and discharge: Sinus infections often cause nasal congestion, a runny nose, and difficulty breathing.
- Bad breath (halitosis): Individuals may notice a distinct change in breath odor, often resulting in bad breath.
- Fever and general malaise: The body attempts to fight the larger infection, which results in fever and general malaise.
- Difficulty chewing or eating: Pain in the upper teeth can cause difficulty in chewing and eating. Thus, it becomes a challenge to consume food.
- Other symptoms: Some other symptoms may include headache, fatigue, and a reduced sense of smell or taste.
How to prevent dental-related sinus problems?
To effectively prevent dental-related sinus problems, it is important to follow a good and comprehensive oral hygiene routine.
Regularly brush your teeth and floss. This is important to fight plaque, gum disease, and decay. The more bacteria there are in your mouth, the higher their chances of traveling to the sinus. You should also schedule regular dental check-ups every year or every six months. This will allow you to identify problems at their early stages and avoid extensive treatments.
It is also crucial to self-check your dental health every day. If you notice any abnormalities, such as pain or inflammation, visiting a dentist immediately can reduce the risk of sinus complications. Sometimes, taking a few antibiotics can fix the problem. In worse cases, you might have to pull out your tooth or get a root canal treatment.
Wisdom tooth issues
One of the problems that significantly contribute to sinus problems is wisdom teeth. It is the closest to your sinuses. Your dentist can look for issues and implement proper treatments before it escalates. For example, if your wisdom tooth is impacted, your dentist can pull it out using the tooth extraction method. That will reduce the risks of an infection.
Protect your sinus health today!
Sinus health is directly connected to your dental health. By practicing good oral hygiene, you can mitigate the risks. Just be on the lookout for the symptoms and visit a dentist in Alberta if they persist for a long time.