Can Oral Problems Cause Sinus Problems?

• Dental infections, especially abscesses in upper molars, can spread into the maxillary sinus and cause sinusitis.
• Sinus inflammation can create pressure on upper tooth roots, leading to tooth pain that feels similar to a dental problem.
• One-sided facial pressure, upper tooth pain, bad taste, and nasal discharge are common signs that a tooth may be causing sinus symptoms.
• Recurring sinus infections often persist until the underlying dental issue is treated with a root canal or extraction.
• Dentists, ENTs, and oral surgeons may all be needed for accurate diagnosis, since dental and sinus symptoms frequently overlap.

Sinus pressure and tooth pain often show up together, which leads many people to wonder if there could be a connection between oral problems and a sinus infection. Because the upper teeth sit extremely close to the maxillary sinuses, infections or inflammation in either area can easily affect the other. A dental problem can trigger sinus symptoms, and a sinus infection can create pain that feels almost identical to a toothache.

In this guide, we’ll break down how dental issues can lead to sinus infections, how sinus problems can mimic tooth pain, the symptoms to watch for, and the treatments like emergency tooth extractions in Wildomar that provide real relief. You’ll also learn when it’s best to see a dentist, an ENT specialist, or an oral surgeon, and why getting the right diagnosis matters.

What causes dental sinusitis and what are the symptoms?

Dental sinusitis occurs when a dental infection or issue spreads to the maxillary sinuses, located just above the upper teeth. The primary causes usually include:

• Tooth infections
• Tooth abscess
• Tooth decay
• Periodontal (gum) disease
• Tooth extractions
• Dental implants or root canal treatments

And how do you know if a tooth is causing sinus problems? It can be tricky to tell, since the symptoms of dental and sinus issues often overlap. However, there are key signs that can help you identify whether a tooth is the root cause of your problems:

• Facial pain or pressure: Especially around the cheeks, under the eyes, or forehead, often concentrated on one side.
• Upper tooth or jaw pain: Often mistaken for a regular toothache, the pain is usually felt in the upper molars or premolars.
• Nasal congestion: One-sided nasal blockage or stuffiness.
• Post-nasal drip: A feeling of mucus draining from the back of the nose into the throat.
• Discolored nasal discharge: Yellow or green mucus, typically from one nostril.
• Foul taste or bad breath: Persistent bad taste or smell in the mouth due to the infection.
• Swelling: Swelling of the face, gums, or cheeks may occur in more severe cases.
• Ear pressure or discomfort: Sinus pressure can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears.
• Fever: Rare, but may occur in more severe or prolonged infections.
• Difficulty chewing: Pain when biting down due to the proximity of the teeth to the infected sinus.

In case dental sinus infection symptoms persist, it’s important to consult both a dentist and an ENT specialist.

What causes dental sinusitis	Common triggers	Key symptoms	Signs the tooth is the source	When to seek care
Upper tooth infections such as abscesses, decay, or gum disease can spread into the maxillary sinus because the roots sit very close to the sinus floor.	Tooth extractions, implants, or root canal complications may also create openings that let bacteria enter and irritate the sinus lining.	One-sided facial pressure, upper tooth pain, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, and discolored mucus often indicate sinus involvement from a dental issue.	Pain when chewing, swelling around upper molars, bad taste, or persistent bad breath often point to a dental infection reaching the sinus.	If symptoms linger, a combined evaluation by a dentist and an ENT helps confirm the cause and ensures both the tooth and sinus are properly treated.

Can tooth abscess drain into sinuses?

Yes, a tooth abscess can drain into the sinuses. Because the roots of the upper molars and premolars sit close to the maxillary sinus cavity, a bacterial infection in the tooth can spread upward and trigger sinus inflammation or infection.

What is a dental abscess?

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, usually resulting from untreated tooth decay, trauma, or deep cavities that reach the pulp. The abscess can form at the root tip, inside the surrounding bone, or within the gums.

How a tooth abscess affects the sinuses

When an abscess forms in the upper teeth, the infection may break through the thin bone separating the tooth roots from the sinus cavity. Once bacteria enter the sinus, they can cause:

• Sinusitis
• Facial pressure or headaches
• Nasal congestion or discharge
• Pain in the upper jaw or cheek area

These symptoms are common signs that the infection has moved beyond the tooth.

When treatment becomes urgent

A tooth abscess that spreads to the sinuses typically requires:

• A root canal to clean the infected tooth, or
• A tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be saved

Seeing a dental professional promptly is essential. An oral surgeon can provide immediate evaluation and help prevent worsening sinus involvement or deeper infection.

Complications of untreated abscesses

Without proper care, a dental abscess may lead to:

• Persistent tooth pain
• Gum swelling or pain
• Worsening sinus infection
• Spread of bacteria to nearby structures

Prompt treatment is the safest way to control the infection and stop it from reaching the sinus.

Can poor oral hygiene cause sinusitis?

Poor oral hygiene can cause a range of health issues that vary in severity, including sinusitis. If a patient suffers from a severe infection of the teeth and/or gums, the infection can travel to the sinuses. How come? The answer lies in human anatomy.

Namely, this is because of how thin the bone separating the root of the molars and the maxillary sinuses is. An untreated tooth or gum abscess can cause serious long-term damage, which is why it is imperative to seek advice from an oral surgeon as soon as symptoms arise.

Odontogenic sinusitis

Odontogenic sinusitis is a type of sinus infection that starts with dental problems. Research suggests that about 10–12% of chronic sinusitis cases are linked to dental issues, making it a common, but often overlooked, cause.

• Common dental triggers include: untreated cavities, abscesses, advanced gum disease, oral cysts, and even upper jaw dental procedures (like extractions or implants) that allow bacteria to enter the sinus cavity.
• Typical symptoms: The infection usually affects one side and may cause facial pressure, congestion, a foul taste or odor in the mouth, and sometimes toothache or gum swelling on the same side.
• Treatment: Effective care requires treating both the dental issue and the sinus infection. For example, an abscessed tooth may need a root canal or extraction, while the sinus infection is managed with antibiotics or, in some cases, drainage.
• Prevention: The best protection comes from consistent oral care—regular dental checkups, prompt treatment of tooth decay or gum disease, and strong daily hygiene habits.

Can sinus infections make your gums or jaw swell?

Sinus infections can cause swelling in the gums or upper jaw because the inflamed sinus lining creates pressure on the bone and tissues below it.

Patients may notice:

• Puffy gums near the molars
• Mild swelling along the cheekbone
• A feeling of heaviness or fullness above upper teeth

This swelling is often mistaken for a dental abscess, but sinus-related swelling spreads across several teeth. Imaging helps determine the true cause.

Can a dentist tell if you have a sinus infection?

A dental professional can see if your sinusitis may be caused by a maxillary dental infection, which is a dental infection in the upper jawbone. Oral surgeons typically rely on panoramic imaging when examining patients and this allows them to see all the important structures, including the sinus cavities of the maxilla, which is the upper jawbone. This helps the doctor make an accurate evaluation and diagnosis so they can help patients make informed decisions.

How long does a sinus toothache last?

A toothache co-occurring with a sinus condition can last a considerable amount of time, between seven to 10 days, at which point the symptoms may clear up. This may not sound like an overly long period of time, however, some patients endure intense pain as a result of the combined infection.

Of course, other factors may contribute to toothache or sinusitis, so a patient in this situation should definitely see a general dentist or oral surgeon for consultation and, if necessary, treatment.

How to fix dental sinusitis?

Resolving dental sinusitis involves removing the affected tooth, taking antibiotics, and sometimes sinus surgery. When properly managed, about 95% of cases are successfully treated, as long as both the tooth and sinus problems are addressed together. To prevent future problems, it’s important to maintain regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene. Keeping an eye on sinus symptoms after treatment is also key to ensuring the infection doesn’t come back.

Oral hygiene and sinus health: Prevention tips

Since oral health and sinus health are closely connected, prevention makes all the difference.

• Build daily habits: Brush twice a day, floss once daily, and use an antiseptic rinse or water flosser for extra protection.
• Keep up with dental visits: Professional cleanings and checkups every six months can catch problems before they turn serious.
• Watch your lifestyle: Stay hydrated, avoid smoking, and manage allergies to lower your risk of sinus infections.
• Know when to act: If you notice one-sided sinus pressure along with tooth pain or gum swelling, it could be a sign of odontogenic sinusitis—time to see a professional.

Can sinus problems cause oral issues? (The reverse connection)

It’s not just dental problems that can impact the sinuses—the connection works both ways. The maxillary sinuses sit just above the roots of the upper molars and premolars, and when they become inflamed from allergies, colds, or infections, the resulting pressure can press on dental nerves. The outcome? Pain that feels a lot like a toothache.

How sinus pressure mimics tooth pain

Unlike the sharp, localized pain of a true dental problem, sinus-related discomfort is often described as a dull, pressure-like ache that spreads across several teeth instead of just one. The pain can get worse with movement, especially when bending forward or jumping, because sinus pressure shifts along with your body.

Signs it’s sinus-related, not dental:

• Pain in several upper back teeth rather than one
• Accompanying sinus symptoms like congestion, facial pressure, or nasal discharge
• Pain that worsens with head movement
• A dull ache instead of a sharp, stabbing sensation

When to see an oral surgeon vs. an ENT

An oral surgeon is the best specialist to see when:

• A tooth infection has spread into the sinus
• A root canal has failed to resolve the infection
• There is suspected sinus communication after an extraction
• Imaging shows cysts, pathology, or severe infection near the sinus
• Implants are planned close to the sinus floor
• Multiple specialists are needed to coordinate care

Oral surgeons are trained in both maxillofacial anatomy and surgical management, which makes them ideal for complex dental-sinus cases.

Temporary relief while waiting for care

While you’re waiting for an appointment, a few simple steps can help ease the discomfort:

• Stay hydrated
• Try steam inhalation or saline nasal rinses
• Use over-the-counter decongestants if needed

Just keep in mind these are short-term fixes, lasting relief depends on proper professional treatment.

Can tooth extractions lead to sinus complications?

When upper teeth, especially molars and premolars, are extracted, there’s a small chance that an opening forms between the mouth and the sinus. This is called sinus communication. It’s not common, and when it does happen it’s usually minor, but it can occur because the roots of upper teeth sit so close to the sinus cavity.

Possible warning signs include:

• Air or fluid moving between the mouth and nose
• A whistling sound while breathing
• Fluid leaking from the nose when drinking
• Ongoing congestion or sinus pressure after the extraction

What to do: Small openings often heal on their own with a few simple precautions—avoid blowing your nose, forceful sneezing, or drinking through straws. If the opening is larger or doesn’t close on its own, treatment may involve sutures, a collagen plug, or, in some cases, surgical repair.

How surgeons help prevent it: Skilled oral surgeons rely on advanced imaging and gentle techniques to greatly reduce the risk of these complications.

Why do some sinus infections keep returning until a tooth issue is fixed?

When a tooth infection sits close to the maxillary sinus, it can constantly release bacteria into the sinus space. This leads to:

• Repeated congestion and inflammation
• Sinus pressure that improves briefly with antibiotics
• Symptoms returning as soon as the medication wears off

Because the underlying dental issue is still present, the sinus simply becomes reinfected.

Why fixing the tooth stops the cycle

Long-term relief almost always requires treating the dental source first. Once the infected tooth is:

• Treated with a root canal or
• Removed (if too damaged to save)

…the sinus no longer receives bacteria, and symptoms typically resolve for good.

Can a root canal cause a sinus infection?

A properly done root canal does not directly cause a sinus infection. However, because the roots of upper teeth sit very close to the sinus cavity, there can occasionally be some overlap in symptoms or complications.

1. Sinus communication during a root canal

In rare cases, filling material can extend slightly beyond the root into the sinus. This may cause temporary issues like mild pressure or post-nasal drip, but these symptoms usually heal on their own.

1. When a true sinus infection develops

Most often, it isn’t the root canal itself but an existing dental infection that has already spread to the sinus—or a root canal that wasn’t fully effective.

1. What to do

If sinus-like symptoms continue after treatment, it’s important to see both your dentist and your doctor. Imaging can help confirm whether the root canal is complete, and antibiotics may be needed if the sinus is involved.

Sinus lift surgery and dental implants

When patients need implants in the upper jaw, the bone in that area isn’t always thick enough to hold them securely. In these cases, a sinus lift (also called sinus augmentation) is a common procedure that builds up the bone beneath the sinus.

1. Why it’s done: The extra bone prevents implants from pushing into the sinus cavity and provides a strong, stable foundation.
2. How it works: The surgeon carefully lifts the sinus membrane and places bone graft material in the space.
3. Recovery: Most people experience only mild pressure afterward and heal smoothly with the right aftercare.
4. Success rate: When performed by an experienced oral surgeon, sinus lifts have a very high success rate, allowing dental implants to be placed safely and effectively even near the sinus.

Safe and comfortable emergency tooth extractions in Wildomar and the region

When sinus pressure and tooth pain strike, Temecula Dental Implants & Oral Surgery is the team patients across Wildomar rely on for precise, surgical-level care. We handle complex infections, difficult extractions, and urgent cases every single day. Find out why patients from Wildomar and other communities in the Temecula Valley region come to us. Contact us now and let our specialist restore your comfort quickly and safely!