The links between teeth and eyes
There is a link between a dental infection and an infection of the eye.
Due to their anatomical proximity, the eyes and teeth share many nerve and vascular connections as well as communication pathways through the sinuses and jawbone.
Eye problems following a tooth infection
An infection or a dental abscess of the tooth can easily by continuity spread and be the cause of uveitis (infection of the uvea) or other infections such as those in the tear duct, the orbit , lower eyelid, etc.
Depending on the infected tooth, studies have shown several routes of โspreadโ
Infections in the incisors and canines will spread mostly through the blood or cell.
Infections in the premolars and molars spread further through the maxillary sinuses. There are 10 to 20% of maxillary sinusitis of dental origin.
Wisdom teeth, on the other hand, can reach the lower orbital fissure of the eye.
Infections and dental abscesses can spread by the subperiosteum (set of layers of the periphery of the bones), along the upper jaw, to the tear duct.
The infection or abscess can also open a look through the lower edge of the eye socket. This case is quite exceptional except in the case of severe sinusitis.
Eye problems of dental origin
Eye and ophthalmological disorders can occur following dental injury (shock or dental surgery). Most often, these will be vision problems which can be transient or chronic. We find in particular:
- Blepharospasm
- Tearing
- Vision problems
Blepharospasm is an ophthalmologic symptom manifested by involuntary and uncontrolled twitching of the eyelids. Unilateral (single-sided) blepharospasm can occur with the onset of deep tooth decay. Symptoms usually go away immediately after removing the affected tooth.
Specialized ophthalmology journals have reported cases of vascular spasms responsible for blindness occurring during dental root canal treatment. This blindness occurs when the root canal is blocked and goes away as soon as the filling is removed. We have already discussed the dangers of devitalizing a tooth. Here we are talking about a rarer case but which still emphasizes the dilemma that can arise for patients between extracting a tooth that is still stable but affected by deep decay and devitalization.
