Sinusitis: disorder may be caused by dental problems

  Facial pain, headache, and fatigue. Sinusitis is an annoying problem and most of the time causes significant discomfort when it appears. The disease results from an inflammation or infection of the maxillary sinus mucosa, and in 10% of cases, according to an article published in the Brazilian Journal of Dentistry, it may be caused by dental problems such as cavities, cysts, and periodontitis. The maxillary sinus is a pneumatic cavity that is in close contact with parts of the upper back teeth. According to dentist Catarina Riva, it is like the hole where sinusitis or inflammation settles. "An odontogenic affection (a periapical or periodontal lesion, a cyst or tumor, or even fractures of the maxilla) that maintains contact with the maxillary sinus often stimulates a collateral response of the sinus mucosa, and this mucosa will often respond with pain, rhinorrhea, headache, nasal obstruction, purulent collection, and fever, that is, characteristic signs of sinusitis," explains the orthodontist. And it was with these sinusitis symptoms that house professional Fabiana Alves Moreira, 40, had to deal until she discovered that what was causing the sinusitis was a dental problem, an infected tooth. "About five years ago, I had a problem with the tooth. I consulted a professional, but I was not successful in treating that tooth. Later, I started to feel a lot of pain on the right side of my face and I noticed that the pain in the tooth also increased, and they told me it was sinusitis," said Fabiana. She also comments that whenever the symptoms appeared, the right side of her face, where the infected tooth is, became more swollen. That’s when the housekeeper decided to consult a dentist again. It was with a CT scan that Fabiana saw that the sinusitis was related to the infected tooth and she will have to undergo a tooth extraction surgery. Specialist Catarina Riva explains that with the procedure, Fabiana will be able to say goodbye to sinusitis, but warns that the best way to avoid such situations is through hygiene and routine dental check-ups.