Hello everyone,
I have a question related to the sinus.
So, my mother (who had brain cancer in the past, about 12 years ago) is leaving on Wednesday to Russia from the US, which will be a long time on a plane. She has sinusitis, I guess, and also one of her teeth she feels has gone into her sinus cavity. She has had problems with this tooth ever since it was worked on about 20 years ago, and recently she ground her teeth really hard and felt that the tooth went right through the worn-down bone there into her sinus cavity.
All the reliable dentists we have gone to in the US have refused to take her tooth out for a long time now, they don't want to risk anything.
Is it safe for her to go on a plane? I feel like the elevation and whatnot can't be great for the condition. She's never been too great with planes, also. She says she wants to risk it but I'm really, really worried.
She had her tonsils and adenoids(?) taken out in her childhood if that makes a difference.
Thanks for reading, and I'll be waiting for your answer!
-Claire

Hi Claire,

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "her tooth feels like it has gone into her sinus". The only thing I can think of based on the brief dental history that you gave here is that she may have an upper tooth that is infected which has proliferated beyond the tooth and deteriorated the surrounding bone causing a sinus infection. That situation could give her a sense or feeling that there is a "connection" or "sensation" between the tooth and the sinuses. Perhaps that is what she is feeling?? If that is the case, then her dental problem should be taken care of as soon as possible.

There is no way to know if flying will cause her to have a problem or not. It is generally not advisable to fly when you have a sinus infection associated with an infected upper tooth, but only her doctor can advise her of what to do.

Wish I could be of more help.... it's very difficult to give guidance on the web in this case..... with so little information and no clinical data.

Hope all goes well for your mom and she has a pleasant trip!

Bryanna