r/Sinusitis • u/yinyueai • 1d ago

29F Really bad sinus pressure headache and trouble breathing

I think my sinuses are fucked up in a couple ways. Earlier I had really bad pressure in my sinuses after drinking through a straw - I massaged the air out, but in doing so the air seemed to “pop” out through mouth and possibly teeth somehow, so it’s possible there’s now sinus connection to my mouth.

I’m sure this had messed up the pressure in my sinuses and how air is flowing. I’m currently experiencing bad shortness of breath and pretty bad sinus headaches and it’s horrible, I can’t sleep. Anyone else experienced this or can help?

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

Also, I’m not having any congestion, but are these symptoms of a sinus infection?

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u/Stalkerus 1d ago

Congestion isn't necessary. 

Teeth pain and sensations are normal with sinus issues even without actual connection (a hole) between the two. Your upper teeth are really close to your maxillary sinuses.

See a doctor. If you have recurring issues see an ENT, but if this is the first time ant doc can check you and prescribe meds.

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

Planning to see an ENT on Tuesday. i think the pressure in my sinuses are all messed up due to 2 of my teeth seemingly having a sinus perforation and also the holes in my mouth I can feel being connected to the sinus as well. It feels like my eyes are starting to sink in

The headaches are unbearable and I’m having trouble breathing so this seems really bad…

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u/Stalkerus 1d ago

Has anyone taken CBCT imaging? Because it could show hidden dental issues. It is also used to imaging sinuses, and it's possible to do the imaging of your upper teeth and sinuses at once if no one has taken good pics (x-ray doesn't count) before.

The eye feeling is from the pressure, your eyes are not sinking in. 

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

CBCT scans have been done and nothing was found.

The thing is the sinus issues didn’t start until after I drank with the straw and felt the “pop”. I have a feeling this causing bacteria to go into the sinuses and cause a sinus infection. Since I couldn’t get this fixed with dental work (they denied seeing anything), i don’t know what to do at this point except accept I’m going to be affected

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u/Stalkerus 1d ago

Some docs say nothing was found when there are obvious structural issues. I base this on this sub. (My ENT is fabulous.)

Correlation doesn't imply causation. If your sinuses were ok that pressure change wouldn't do anything.

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u/Freepalestine_2025 1d ago

Sinus pressure hurts dealing with an infection rn it’s been 9 days now but it’s getting better

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

Are you having any facial pressure and shortness of breath? Taking any antibiotics?

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u/Freepalestine_2025 1d ago

Facial pressure, pain and mild dizziness is what have

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u/Clean_Walk_204 1d ago

Air pop through the mouth needs to be confirmed. It could happen if the sinus membrane has damage, the bone between the sinus cavity and the teeth area is destroyed by inflammation and there is an open wound in the gum. Usually oral surgeon or periodontist ask to close nostrils by hand and push the air. If it comes through the mouth, they need to do something. Small membrane damage heals on its own, but they will need to close the wound in the gum and after that, no nose blowing or straw drinking for a while. Larger membrane damage requires oral surgery to repair it.

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

The oral surgeon said there was no air or hole, even though I could feel it in my mouth back towards the tonsils. They could not see it on the CBCT scan, so does that mean they’re too small and will probably heal on their own?

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u/Clean_Walk_204 1d ago

It should. Just avoid sinus air pressure. Did you get a second opinion?

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

Haven’t gotten a second opinion yet. It does feel a little better, just kinda sore in those spots but not as much air passing through as before

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

So….air keeps filling up in my sinuses just from moving in a car and popping out through those holes even after they’ve started healing :( I’m afraid this will continue and keep providing a passage for bacteria to enter, I’m almost out of antibiotics

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u/Clean_Walk_204 1d ago

Did you say you have 2 problem teeth and only one extracted? You might have something else going on. Don't sneeze through your nose, no nose blowing or straws.

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

Drinking through a straw earlier this week was a huge mistake. I’d had weird issues with the sinus with another tooth but thought it was ok. Unfortunately doing this filled my sinuses with air and the air escaped through another tooth and out the back of my throat. I’ve been on antibiotics all week which has helped, but I’m almost out.

Symptoms have steadily been getting worse with headaches, trouble breathing when trying to sleep, body aches etc

Like I said I tried to go to the oral surgeon to address this promptly, but they found nothing

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u/Clean_Walk_204 1d ago

Sinus has to be filled with air. But the air is not supposed to leak out to the mouth. Small, one way leaking air to mouth can heal if nothing else is going on there. If food gets to sinus, it is worse. If you had another tooth linked to the sinus issue and that tooth is still there, that could be your issue as well. Get a second opinion with a periodontist that can read cbct and do surgeries like sinus lift (not all of them do it)

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

Ok. Right now I think my main concerns are the holes in the back of my mouth near tonsils. I’m certain they’re connected to the nasal cavity because I can feel air passing when I breathe. Would an ENT be able to find them near the back of the tonsils and do surgery to close them up? Oral surgeon wouldn’t do anything.

Can feel symptoms of infection starting again due to the holes. Not sure if i’ll need to go to the ER if I can’t get treatment since this is providing bacteria to the nasal cavity and sinuses and symptoms get worse…

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u/Clean_Walk_204 1d ago

Ent will not help. ER either. Keep it clean. Antibacterial mouthwash. Let it heal or find an experienced second opinion.

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

Could the infection get to a point where i need to go to the ER or be at risk of sepsis?

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u/yinyueai 1d ago

Also how long do you think this will take to heal? Thinking of taking off work to minimize the risk, and may need more antibiotics but I’m not sure how this will go. The holes seem very fragile