A Mouth-to-Sinus Opening: Questions for the Dental Team

If food or drink seems to enter your nose after an upper tooth extraction, contact the dental team and describe what happened. Give the extraction date and ask how they will assess the change.

These prompts help you explain the concern and discuss a finding confirmed by the treating team. They do not test for an opening at home.

At the call: describe what changed

“I had an upper tooth removed on this date. Since then, I have noticed this when eating, drinking or breathing. What assessment do I need?”

Leicester’s leaflet lists food or fluid entering the nose, air crossing the extraction area, a site that does not heal, repeated sinus infections and one-sided nasal or cheek symptoms as signs to discuss.¹

Report what you noticed during ordinary activities. Do not deliberately blow your nose or force air across the socket to demonstrate it. Keep the appointment or discharge details nearby so the team can identify the tooth and procedure.

At assessment: ask what the finding means

“Can you explain whether there is an opening and what you recommend for it? What will you check at the next review?”

A small opening can close naturally. A larger one can require an operation. An untreated opening can develop into a persistent passage called a fistula and lead to sinus infection.¹

Ask the clinician to explain the recommendation for your own examination findings. Confirm the next step and the contact to use if symptoms change while you are waiting.

If repair is proposed: discuss the plan

“What will you use to close the opening, and what anesthesia will I need? Which risks and alternatives should I understand?”

Repair can involve moving gum tissue over the opening and securing it with stitches. More extensive repair can be needed for a large opening, unsuccessful closure or a root fragment in the sinus.¹

Have the surgeon explain the planned procedure before consenting. Ask what recovery arrangements you need, including help getting home if relevant. Get directions for any prescribed medicines from your own team.

Before leaving: put the precautions in writing

“What should I avoid while this heals, for how long, and who confirms when I can resume it?”

Leicester advises avoiding nose blowing, pinching the nostrils while sneezing and using straws because pressure can disrupt healing. Its leaflet also identifies flying, diving and wind instruments as activities needing restrictions.¹

Discuss planned travel or activities before assuming they fit the recovery period. Ask your team for the precautions, mouth-care instructions and review date that apply to you. Keep the out-of-hours contact with that written plan.

Is It My Breath? includes a visit script and red-flag list. Use the script to organize what you want explained by the treating dental team. See the breath and mouth playbook.