Water out the nose?
 

Hi my name's felicia,

I had my wisdom teeth removed a week ago and for the most part everything seemed to be fine. The area where one of my teeth were removed from the gums didn't "seal together" it's more like a flap and it moves rather than a ruff area like the other spots. Today I noticed the pain on that one side is getting worse and when I rinced my mouth out after breakfast this morning the salt water started coming out of my nose in a very fast drip but not a solid stream.

I have an appointment with the surgon that did the extractions on thursday it's the soonest I could get in but I'm still concerned anyone know what it is?

Hi felicia,

Chances are you have an opening from your mouth where the tooth was extracted to your sinuses. This means that either the end of the root of that tooth was into your sinuses and/or the sinus membrane was perforated during the extraction. Sometimes these heal on their own in a few weeks and sometimes they need a little surgical intervention to help close the hole over. It is best that you are seeing your oral surgeon this week for evaluation.

FYI in the meantime...
Keep your mouth open during a sneeze or when you blow your nose. This prevents pressure on the sinus membrane.

Do not drink through a straw. The sucking on the straw can cause the sinus membrane to stay open.

Do not smoke. The drag on the cigarette can again cause the sinus membrane to stay open. Also, the chemicals in the tobacco deprive the oral tissue of oxygen and can prevent the sinus membrane and extraction site from healing closed properly.

Do not eat on that side of your mouth. Avoid foods such as peanuts, popcorn, rice, poppy seeds, and anything else in similar size.

Keep rinsing with warm salt water...... gently a few times a day.

Try not to worry...... oral surgeons see this type of thing all the time and with the proper care, the sinus membranes generally heal very well. Please keep us posted on how you are doing!

Bryanna