GREAT CASE 🦷 A tooth abscess can cause a sinus infection because your teeth and maxillary sinus are in very close proximity. That’s why when you have a sinus infection, your teeth can hurt. But the reverse can happen too. I often see patients who come in with sinus symptoms that actually turn out to be related to a tooth abscess. This type of infection, involving both the tooth and the sinus, usually requires treatment from both an ENT surgeon, like myself, and a dentist to manage the culprit.