Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for adding the joke..... ;-)
I am in the dental field and can offer you some information here.
It is possible that you have had a lingering infection or some type of a bacterial issue going on for the last two years or longer. Chances are that you had an infection in that area of your mouth prior to having the tooth removed. It could have been small and not mentioned to you by the dentist, but none the less, there was most likely something brewing there.
Add to that probability the fact that the area became more infected after the extraction just put fuel on the already burning fire. Did you complete the antibiotic prescription that you were given when your teeth were extracted?
If you have had any degree of a chronic bacterial infection in that wisdom tooth site for all of this time, then any upper respiratory infection, like tonsillitis, could cause pain or exaggerated flare up to occur in that area of your mouth.
The spots on your tonsils, if they are pus and not food, indicate a tonsillitis which can be viral or bacterial. Your physician would be the one to determine that. Pus anyplace in the mouth or throat will taste similar to a tooth infection. So based on your description, that icky taste could be coming from your tonsils and/or an oral infection. The fact that you believe it is spreading to your lower lip needs another evaluation.
Did your physician put you on an antibiotic or tell you to just wait it out? Is your tongue coated with a white coating? Do you have any sores, other than on the lip, in your mouth? Do you something have sinus, stomach or digestive problems? Do you have any swollen glands? Are you sick often?
To evaluate the wisdom tooth site to see if there may be a lingering, brewing infection in that area, you would need to see an oral surgeon. He would take some xrays and probably a panoramic xray as well.
If you feel that your tonsils are getting worse, then see your physician again. Step tests can be falsely negative.
You are doing all of the things you should be doing if what you have is viral. However, if it's been a few days and you feel like you are not improving, then get in to see your physician.
Please check back in with us.
Bryanna
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeremyCML
A little over two years ago I had my wisdom teeth removed. Rather foolishly, I reasoned the calculated risk of getting an infection made the time and effort it'd take to get the prescribed antibiotics a waste of my time. Well had I known the pain, swelling, fever, sleepless nights, and overall discomfort I was about to experience I would have made a different decision.
After the infection started I had to "waste my time" to get the antibiotics anyway. Go figure. Anyway, I like to keep a positive attitude so I can look back on that situation and laugh at myself.
What's not as funny however, is my current situation. Starting 4 days ago (now this is two years after my tooth was removed and prior infection occurred) there's been sharp pain in the exact same spot where my prior infection hurt the worst.
On top of this I've had a fever, swollen gums, earache, light headaches, general pressure buildup in the head, and sore throat like symptoms (including trouble swallowing from sharp pain and the white sores all over my tonsils). What's interesting to me is that, as I mentioned, the main source of pain is in the exact same spot but, even more so is that the strange pus like taste I had in my mouth two years ago is back (I'm 100% sure it's the exact same flavor). I should mention I got a strep test with the results coming in negative. Oh, and the infection is starting to spread onto my lower lip.
So, I guess all this to ask a few things. - Is it possible for this to be the same infection from two years ago?
- To get antibiotics can I see either my dentist or doctor (and which would be better)?
- What other actions should I be taking besides salt gargles, plenty of water/fluids, and resting.
Thank you all for your time and concern,
Jeremy
P.S. As a token of appreciation here is a joke:
My mom taught me some valuable life lessons; like the way to a woman's heart.
It’s through her rib cage. |