Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi p-v13,

If you "still" have an infection in the area of the surgery/bonegraft then the area was never free of infection to begin with. Meaning this would not be a new infection... it would be the same infection with perhaps some new or additional strains of bacteria. So irrelevant of what you did at home with regard to oral hygiene... it was not something you could have gotten rid of on your own. If your oral hygiene regimend was very poor this whole time, then a new infection could have started from a build up of plaque. But from what I remember, your dentist told you that you were doing a good job and not to worry about the white stuff coming from the gum.

Swelling of the gum tissue is a definitive sign that there is plaque buildup and/or bacteria brewing in that area irritating the tissue. Is this the same area of the surgery? Is this the same area of that bump on your gum? The bump is called a fistula..... and yes it is usually filled with pus. The fistula forms when there is an infection in the bone that has traveled through the bone to the outside.. thus a pimple forms as a release from the pressure of the infection.

If the fistula is in the area of the surgery... then most likely the graft would have to be removed and the site would have to be cleaned out. If the fistula is in the area of an existing tooth.... then that means that the tooth is infected. Treatment options are root canal therapy or extraction.

I am SO sorry to tell you all of this... I feel very badly that you are going through this. I would suggest that you do not touch that bump with your fingers and rinse with warm salt water to help keep it soft.

Please let us know how your dental appt goes.......
Bryanna




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