Is this allergies or a perforated sinus?

Dr. Hall,
I had a right molar extraction six months ago, and think I have a perforated sinus; molar area is very tender can’t eat on right side, if I do I get throbbing in all my top teeth, I can smile the after taste of my food, sinus headaches, my nose feels like water went into it in a bad way, burning my nose and I have some leaking out of my right nostril. All this time I just thought it was allergies, but when I drink or eat someone with a lot of liquid, it goes up my nose causing burning and draining in my right mistral. I was thinking that yes by now the perforation should be closed. It’s such a discomfort. I do have allergies and get sinus infection but this is very different?
Can this still be fixed?
– Cynthia

Cynthia,
I really doubt that this could be a sinus perforation, after all this time. Surely the socket has healed over by now. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it seems highly unlikely to me. The liquid getting into your nose could be through the back of your mouth where there is a passageway from your windpipe up to your nose.

I would check you for a garden variety sinus infection–or it could be allergies as you have suspected. As we have said, the roots of your upper back teeth can be very close to the sinus wall, so any pressure in the sinus may manifest itself as pain in the teeth.

I would have it checked, and, since I think it is more likely that it is just a sinus problem, I would go to an ear, nose, and throat physician (otorhinolaryngologist). One thing you could do at home: close your mouth and try to blow through your mouth, puffing out your cheeks. If you can do that and hold the air in your mouth, there is no perforation. If there’s a perforation, air will bubble up through your nose.
– Dr. Hall

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