Chronic sinusitis sufferers are typically familiar with symptoms such as nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, sinus pain, and even loss of taste and smell. Chronic sinusitis can be caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, allergies, and structural defects inside the nose such as a deviated septum and nasal polyps. While the aforementioned symptoms of chronic sinusitis are some of the most common, here are some other less common symptoms that can affect your teeth and gums if you have sinus problems.

Top Row Tooth Pain

If only one of your top-row teeth hurts, then you probably have a cavity or an abscessed tooth. Conversely, if all of the teeth on the top row hurt, you may have chronic sinusitis. Top-row dental pain can be caused by inflamed sinuses and nasal congestion that are putting pressure on your teeth.

If you have pain in your top teeth, visit both your general dentistry professional and your primary care physician to determine if your symptoms are related to sinusitis or something else. If your sinus problem is caused by a bacterial infection, your physician will prescribe antibiotics.

Once the bacterial infection goes away, sinus pressure and resultant dental pain will subside. Be sure to follow up with your dentist after your sinus infection clears up so that they can examine your teeth. Chronic sinus infections and post-nasal drip may have a negative effect on your tooth enamel and may raise your risk for cavities. 

Bleeding Gums

Chronic sinusitis can also cause bleeding gums. When your sinusitis is caused by an infection, bleeding gums can be triggered in a couple of different ways. One way is through the spread of microorganisms. When your bacterial or fungal infection spreads to your mouth via the secretions in your post-nasal drip, your gums can become infected, leading to pus-type drainage, irritation, and bleeding.

Another way chronic sinusitis can cause bleeding gums is by triggering an inflammatory response. Infections, whether they originate in the sinus cavity, lungs, urinary tract, or skin, can cause pro-inflammatory cytokines to be released into your bloodstream. When this happens, inflammation can occur both systemically and locally, as in the gums, since they are in close proximity to the infected sinuses. If you have bleeding gums as a result of chronic sinusitis, see your general dentistry professional more often for checkups and to get your teeth cleaned. 

If you develop dental pain, inflamed, swollen, or bleeding gums, or a bad taste in your mouth when chewing, make an appointment with your dentist. When oral problems are detected and treated early on, the chances for complications such as tooth loss, gum disease, or oral infection may be minimized.

For more info, contact a local dentist.