My dentist just pulled out the tooth that could be behind my problems with sinuses (“The Troublemakers,” February 7, 2014). It did not hurt much. And it does not hurt at all half an hour later, but the painkiller is still on. On my way out, I asked my dentist about the time he would expect my sinuses to show some improvement. “About a week at most,” he said, “but I would not be surprised if you notice real improvement in just a few days.” I was delighted. I wanted the tooth out mainly because of my sinuses, anyhow. “See you next week,” I said cheerfully at the door. He will pull the stitches out of my gums this time next week. By then, I hope to report to him that my nose is not clogged up any longer. After a year or so, that would be wonderful. Damned sinuses are driving me crazy already.

Addendum I (February 26, 2014)

It is only a couple of days since my last visit to the dentist, but my sinuses are appreciably better by now. Am I rushing things a bit? Eager as I surely am, I do trust my senses. Even though my sinuses are not clear yet, the improvement is quite palpable. Most important, I have no trouble sleeping all night long. Fingers crossed, as ever.

Addendum II (March 3, 2014)

As it turns out, the situation with my sinuses has not changed much over the last five days. It is slightly better, but only slightly. My sinuses are still a problem, that is. Chances are that it will take a few weeks or maybe even months for another appreciable improvement, but a sudden change for the better is not to be hoped for any longer. And what does my dentist have to say about it? Having pulled out the stitches, he just shrugs his shoulders and smiles sympathetically. The human body is teeming with mysteries, to be sure. What could sinuses be for, for instance? Evolution bungles hither and thither and many a weird compromise lingers behind for no rhyme or reason. Fingers crossed, my ass.

Addendum III (March 17, 2014)

Three weeks later, I am much better. Not once have I awoken in the middle of the night because I could not breathe, for example. My sinuses are far from perfect, though. I still sneeze uncontrollably every second or third day. And I sniff and sniff. It will take another month or two for real recovery. I may have to see a specialist in the meanwhile. But the connection between the tooth and the nose is clear by now. It was my tooth that was the cause of the trouble, but the trouble has become entrenched after a period of a year or longer. Had the tooth been pulled out a year ago, the trouble with my sinuses would have disappeared in just a few weeks. Now it will take longer. And that is all there is to it.