Webinfusion,
At 3 months post op the tooth extractions you should not be experiencing any of those symptoms if the infection is not present. The infection is not necessarily from trapped food debris. It is more likely that there is still bacteria lurking in the bone and possibly sinus from the infected root canaled teeth.
The bacteria causing a sinus infection can spread to various areas of the sinus and even beyond the sinus cavity. So it is best to see an oral surgeon for a radio graphic and clinical evaluation of the surgical site and both sides of the sinus. That would require a panoramic xray and/or a more detailed 3D scan.
We think of our sinuses as holes that we can flush something out of. In reality they are correlated with various other organs which can become infected also. So repetitive irrigation of the sinus when there is an active infection brewing from say the jaw bone can actually spread the bacteria. I will attach a diagram of the sinus to give you an idea of some of the areas they are correlated to.
The gum tissue at the site of a tooth extraction closes over long before the jaw bone fills in with bone. Under healthy circumstances, the bone takes up to one year to heal completely. So the closed gum tissue does not mean that it's also healed underneath.
Antibiotics can be helpful with sinus infections so long as the "culprit" of the infection is found and removed.
So it's best to see an oral surgeon... possibly an Ear Nose and Throat specialist also after the oral surgeon.
Bryanna
Quote:
Originally Posted by webinfusoin
I am in the same boat with HeatherKelly and just created an account today to ask about it!
My extraction took place October 15, 2015, upper right molar and premolar that had a root canal. I am thinking that some food must have gotten into my sinus at some point, to cause the horrible smell.
The smell has dissipated somewhat, but there is still a dull ache and sour post nasal drip that almost feels like it's burning the back of my throat sometimes. I have been doing sinus rinses, which helped, but I only did the right side, and must have flushed some of the infection to the left since smell mucous started coming out that side too.
I am assuming that since the gums have healed over nicely, the opening must have healed, too? And now whatever got in there is trapped and causing the pain, smell and mucous?
My question is the same, does this sort of thing EVER clear on its own, or must the oral surgeon go back in and clean out the site and the sinus? Maybe there is some other way to clear this I have not thought of, but I read that antibiotics don't work for sinus infections because of the low blood flow to the area. Plus, how can it ever clear if there is foreign matter in there, just rotting???
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