Sinusitis is a condition that most of us have experienced at least once in our lives, and sometimes it persistently bothers us for long periods. It manifests itself with complaints such as headache, facial fullness and pressure sensation, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and loss of smell.
So what is the real cause of sinusitis? It is often said that “there is sinusitis,” but actually many different causes can lie behind it.
Sinus Blockage: The Most Common Cause
Mucus (the fluid we can call snot) is constantly produced in our nose and sinuses, and this fluid naturally flows and drains. This flow helps the sinuses clean themselves. The area that provides this natural flow of sinuses is called the ostiomeatal complex (OMC).
OMC can become blocked in some situations:
- Nasal bone curvatures (septum deviation)
- Growth of nasal tissues (concha hypertrophy)
- Polyps (tissue formation in the nose)
- Long-lasting allergies or chronic inflammations
When OMC is blocked, the sinuses cannot ventilate and mucus begins to accumulate inside. This environment becomes ideal for bacteria to multiply and sinusitis occurs as a result.
Tooth-Related Sinusitis: Insidious and Often Overlooked Cause
Most patients think sinusitis is nasal-related. However, sometimes an unexpected cause comes into play: Tooth-related sinusitis, also known as odontogenic sinusitis.
The roots of the molar and premolar teeth located in the upper jaw are very close to the maxillary sinus (upper jaw sinus). If these teeth have decay, abscess, cyst, or failed dental treatment, this infection can easily spread to the sinus.
There is a thin membrane that lines the inside of the sinus, which we call the Schneiderian membrane. Normally, this membrane ensures that the sinus stays clean. However, tooth-related infections damage this membrane, causing inflammation and discharge inside the sinus.
Symptoms of Tooth-Related Sinusitis
✅ Unilateral nasal congestion and discharge
- Usually occurs only on one side (especially on the side close to the upper teeth).
- The discharge is mostly foul-smelling, yellow-green in color.
✅ Facial pain and fullness
- Pressure and sensitivity are especially felt in the cheek area and the area close to the tooth roots.
- This pain may increase when bending or leaning forward.
✅ Bad breath
- Bacteria and inflammation that fill the sinus cause bad breath in the mouth.
✅ Dental history
- If you have recently had tooth extraction, root canal treatment, implant, or gum abscess, be careful!
- Upper molar teeth (4th, 5th, and 6th teeth) are very close to the sinus.
✅ Postnasal drip
- There may be a continuously flowing, foul-smelling and thick consistency discharge toward the throat.
✅ Not responding to other treatments
- Classic sinusitis medications provide temporary relief, but complaints continue to recur.
How is Tooth-Related Sinusitis Diagnosed?
🔎 Dental examination: Detailed examination of the upper back teeth is essential.
🔎 Sinus tomography (CT): Findings such as the proximity of tooth roots to the sinus floor, fluid accumulation in the sinus, or bone erosion are revealed.
🔎 Endoscopic examination: The openings of the sinuses are checked from inside the nose with the help of a camera, and the source of the discharge is identified.
How is Treatment Performed?
🦷 First, the dental problem must be resolved (extraction, root canal treatment, cleaning of infected tooth, etc.).
👃 Then the inside of the sinus is cleaned, and if necessary, air flow is restored with endoscopic sinus surgery.
In Conclusion
If you have unilateral, foul-smelling nasal discharge, pain in the cheek area, bad breath, or have had dental problems in the past, the possibility of tooth-related sinusitis is very high. In such cases, the most correct approach is for both an ENT specialist and a dentist to evaluate together.
💬 Remember: Sinusitis is sometimes not just a nasal problem, it can also indicate underlying dental problems. If you have been experiencing persistent nasal congestion for a long time, you can definitely contact us for a detailed examination.
🤝 Healthy breathing is the key to a quality life!