Mouth-Sinus Communications – How to Lessen the Risks
If you have had an upper premolar or molar tooth removed, there is a small risk that a communication between the mouth and sinus may develop.
You may not be aware of this for several weeks (it can develop as late as 4 – 6 weeks after the extraction). It will often manifest itself as a discharge of fluid from the nose after drinking, possible discharge of pus from the nose, acute and chronic sinusitis and a foul taste in the mouth and smell in the nose.
To minimise the risk of developing this communication between the mouth and sinus,
You Should Not:
- Smoke (this slows the healing of the extraction socket and makes you more likely to develop an infection in the socket which increases the risk of developing the mouth-sinus communication) for at least 72 hours.
- Blow your nose or forcefully sneeze (this increases the pressure within the sinus and increases the risk of developing the mouth-sinus communication).
- Use straws or whistle for the next 72 hours
- Go flying for the next 4 – 6 weeks (the cabin is pressurised and this increases the risk of developing the mouth-sinus communication).
You Should:
- Use nasal decongestants (such as Ephedrine nasal drops, Oxymetazoline & Xylometazoline) as this reduces the degree of swelling of the nasal lining and lessens the likelihood of sneezing.
- Use steam inhalations augmented with Karvol or Olbas oil.
- Use an antiseptic mouth-wash (such as Corsodyl) as this lessens the likelihood of infection and speeds healing.
- Sneeze with your mouth open as this lowers the pressure within the sinus and lessens the likelihood of raised pressure creating the mouth-sinus communication.
- Take the antibiotics and finish the course (if prescribed).