Hi Gretchen,

I will post your questions/concern and follow with my answer..

<<I certainly don't need that with already having MS and the symptoms I incur with that on a daily basis.>>

ANYONE WITH AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE IS AT A HIGHER RISK FOR SYSTEMIC COMPLICATIONS FROM INFECTION AS OPPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE AD.

<< If I do have infection that has spread elsewhere, how long would it take to rid the body of this infection once the teeth are out?>>

THAT CANNOT BE DETERMINED OR ESTIMATED BECAUSE IT IS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. OBVIOUSLY, THE LONGER THE INFECTION HAS BEEN CIRCULATING IN THE SYSTEM AND/OR THE MORE COMPROMISED THE PATIENTS HEALTH IS, THE MORE DIFFICULT TO ERADICATE. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT EVERY PERSON WHO HAS A SYSTEMIC COMPLICATION WILL BE ILL FROM IT FOREVER. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS TO CONSIDER AND IT IS DEPENDENT ON MANY THINGS.

<<I already feel my sinuses being affected, most likely from tooth #3, and if on the proper antibiotic, would that clear up in time?>>

THE PROPER ANTIBIOTIC CAN ONLY BE DETERMINED BY DOING A CULTURE OF THE BACTERIA. THAT CAN POSSIBLY BE DONE AT THE TIME OF THE EXTRACTION. GENERALLY WHEN A TOOTH IS INFECTED, A COMMONLY USED ANTIBIOTIC IS PRESCRIBED WITH THE HOPE THAT IT WILL SUBSIDE THE INFECTION. HOWEVER, AS LONG AS THE INFECTED TOOTH IS PRESENT, THE INFECTION WILL NOT CLEAR UP. CHRONIC INFECTIONS ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO MANAGE AND ERADICATE. THIS IS WHY IT IS NEVER A HEALTHY OPTION TO RETAIN AN INFECTED TOOTH.

<<Also, when #3 is pulled, would that trigger further release of infection up into the sinuses or head? Should I be on an antibiotic a while before it's pulled? >>

IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF THE INFECTION BEING RELEASED DURING THE EXTRACTION. THE INFECTION IS NOT SELF CONTAINED TO JUST THE TOOTH NOW. THE SURGEON WILL CLEAN THE BONE AND SINUS AREA AS BEST AS POSSIBLE WHEN HE REMOVES THE TOOTH.

<<Any questions I should specifically ask the oral surgeon when I get an app. with him? What concerns should I bring up? I don't think I'll have any problems with tooth 31, but I don't know. >>

TELL THE SURGEON YOU HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ABSCESSED TEETH ON THE INTERNET. LET HIM KNOW THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RESIDUAL INFECTION AFTER THESE TEETH ARE REMOVED AND WANT HIM TO BE VERY THOROUGH WITH BOTH EXTRACTIONS. MAKE SURE HE KNOWS ABOUT YOUR SINUS SYMPTOMS AND YOUR MS.

Hope this is helpful...
Bryanna