Sinus perforation during tooth extraction
 

I had my #3 molar removed and they told me they opened up my sinus. They used a foam to repair the hole and all was good for 4 days. I was rinsing with salt water as instructed and it started gushing out my nose as I spit it out. I called but they couldn't see me for a few days. I was taking Clindamycin to prevent infection as I'm allergic to penicillin. Now it's been 9 days since the extraction and the hole is still open and the infection smell has gotten to the point where my boyfriend even tells me not to look in his direction. I still rinse with salt water and got another script for the antibiotic but it's so incredibly painful and hard to deal with. What are some home remedies to help heal the hole and infection. I'm at my wits end with all this pressure and pain.
The infection has gotten so bad that even though I'm takin Sudafed and mucinex to keep them dry my nose drips orangeish fluid. The dentist told me I needed to be seen ASAP but didn't have any openings til March :(

Oh that is horrible. Sorry you are going thru this. I'm working all I can to keep this broken molar and not go thru major trauma of an extraction, yet the bridge next to it with RC under the bridge. I've talked about it here somewhat. I've had plenty of dental work in my long life and at this point hanging on to what is left.

I work with a made up remedy which includes oil of oregano. One can work with OOO on it's own and there is a lot of info on the net. OOO was used for so many infections forever before all the abx drugs. I've used some abx drugs in my life, but avoid them if I can. For this current issue which is going on 10 yrs I had two courses of amoxicillan which quieted things and now managing with my remedies. If you want to know my total remedy, send me a PM.

On general good gum health I know a couple decades of taking grape seed extract has kept my gums in good condition. Read some of my recent posts, fluorides are not our friends.. Coconut oil is huge in my life and I make up my own toothpaste now in my retirement and all I've learned.

I have a smelly sinus infection after upper molar extraction, too
 

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???

Hi HeatherKelly,

Was tooth #3 previously root canaled? What was the reason for the extraction?

It is not uncommon for there to be a sinus communication with the upper molars because frequently the roots of these teeth are in close proximity to the sinus membrane. When there is an infection in a tooth the bacteria from that infection can easily travel through the membrane and into the sinus.

Sinus infections from infected teeth are considered serious because of the fact that the sinus is in close proximity to the brain. The bacteria has no limit as to how far it can travel so it is unwise to attempt to treat this infection on your own.

You need to get in to see an oral surgeon, not a general dentist, asap to evaluate the extent of this infection. If intervention is warranted and isn't done, then repeated doses of antibiotics alone are not going to cure the infection. It's important to know that this infection can make you very ill if it is not dealt with properly.

You definitely should not wait until March..... find an "oral surgeon" to get you in as an emergency patient asap.

Bryanna

It was extracted because I had an accident on new years eve and it cracked. An oral surgeon took it out packed the hole and sutured it. It was an understudy that I seen a few days ago and said I needed to be reseen asap.
I'm still in agony, it's my entire top jaw that hurts now though. I still rinse with salt water every few hours but the water goes straight in my sinus and out my nose. It's becoming more of a dark greenish color and the smell is horrific. But after I rinse to the point where it's coming out clear I have awful pressure (I know because water is still in my sinus) but I really don't know what to do. I am seeing the oral surgeon again but not until 1/19. I just need to figure out how to survive until then. But am open to any suggestions because I've never felt pain like this.

HeatherKelly,

An understudy? You mean a dental student? Did you have the extraction done in a dental school?

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can really do at home to make this better. You need to be seen by an oral surgeon.... perhaps someone in private practice would really be best.

There are several different classifications of sinus openings which determine the treatment needed to close them. It is beyond anything that you can do personally. Also, you can overdo it with the antihistamines... so do not be of the mindset that more is better. The lowest effective dosage is best.

By any chance do you smoke?

Bryanna

No, I am not a smoker. I haven't used straws or even sneezed with my mouth closed. Yes it was done at the University of Minnesota dental school. I just wanted it pulled because it cracked and was painful. I was only visiting and couldnt find anywhere to accept my out of state insurance. I had no idea it was going to turn into this. Oh to your previous reply it was not a root canal however the tooth next to it is. I've only been taking Sudafed when the pressure is to the point where I can't move.

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

Thank you Bryanna. I really thought it was just an annoyance that would resolve on its own. Apparently not! Considering I also have cancer, I better get this taken care of asap.

HealtherKelly, my heart goes out to you. I've been in situations where not having the right insurance or money to cover an expense made me hesitate to get help. Then I found out that Drs and hospitals will take payments, and they will except LOW payments, too. They make a lot of noise about wanting the payment 'now', just to apply pressure in case there really is $ available to the person now, but they will take payments. Whatever you can afford, just make it known that is ALL you can afford and then make on time payments. Take the best care of your mouth that you possibly can. It's worth every penny!

That said, you might consider going to an emergency room today, based upon what Bryanna has stated about the seriousness of your condition. :hug:

Thank you and I wish you the best with your situation. Please keep updating as I am genuinely interested.