Who should I see about this? - Allergies Message Board

BioAdoptMom3 · 01-16-2005, 08:48 PM

Several years ago I had a root canal on a tooth. Ever since then whenever I get a sinus infection the tooth also gets infected. A course of antibiotics (usually some type of penicillin) clears it up. I went to the dentist about it and a few years ago he sent me to a gum specialist, who x-rayed the tooth, checked the bite, sensitivity, etc. and found NOTHING wrong with the tooth itself. Well, my sinuses, along with the tooth flared up again recently. I know I shouldn't have, but dh had almost a full course of leftover augmentin (plus one refill which I also did) so I took it. The lymph nodes on the back of head which swelled and got sore, are better and until yesterday my sinuses and the tooth were feeling much better (I finished the medicine on Saturday AM).
Today however my sinus hurts on that side and the lump on my gum is still there, but a bit more sore again than it was for the past few days. Should I go to the doctor or the dentist? My first thought is to go to the doctor because of my history, but the gum abcess, though it sometimes takes additional time for the swelling to go completely down, has never stayed sore after I finished a course of antibiotics. Is it possible that I just need something different not penicillin related? Could it suddenly be the tooth when it wasn't before? I am getting concerned and just not sure what to do.

TIA!

Nancy

jhmitch · 01-16-2005, 09:19 PM

Hi Nancy!

This is just my opinion, but if you have a gum abscess, my first inclination would be to call the dentist ASAP.

My husband went back and forth (like you are doing) with the same problem. He would get sinus headaches & his tooth would hurt. His doctor treated him with antibiotics - his dentist assured him that the tooth (which had an old root cannel) was "fine". The sinus problems would go away for a while then come back - along with the toothache.

Eventually, the tooth flared up and (in frustration) he went back to the dentist. It turned out the root canal had "gone bad" but it hadn't been visible on the X-rays, before. Once the tooth problem (which was infecting the base of his sinus) was corrected, his sinus headache problem went away. It sounds like you still have an infection brewing - somewhere - and need to have a dentist see it while it is inflamed.

susieq0726 · 01-17-2005, 10:37 AM

I had a root canal that caused a nasty sinus infection. I took Augmentin for two weeks to get rid of it. But my question is this: Why does your tooth bother you when you get the sinus infection back? The tooth is dead as the root has been removed. I didn't think it could get re-infected?

BioAdoptMom3 · 01-17-2005, 06:58 PM

Thanks to both of you!

I have no idea why it does that, but it has been the case since I had the root canal 12 years ago! Maybe its not the exact same root, but one nearby? For some reason today too it seems much better than it has all along. Don't know but I am going to the doctor (after thinking about it and realizing the doctor is a $10 co-pay I thought that might make more sense off the start). I may get referred to the dentist though. I'll just have to see what happens.

Thanks again!

Nancy