Wow, I found this thread particularly fascinating and informative... thank you to all who are participating, especially Bryanna! I've been a member of these forums for year and am always amazed when I come across this type of support and knowledge!

I must admit I have been very remiss in visiting my dentist regularly - my life spiraled downwards (depression) and the last thing I thought of was my health (duh!) for 5 years. This last year has really changed for me... so off I went to the dentist. (I have an excellent dental plan so money wasn't my excuse). The cleaning had to take place over 2 sessions. I was told that I had the start of gum disease. The dentist looked at a tooth that has been causing me off and on pain for years but didn't do anything about it. She said I had a few cavities and being who I am, I didn't get them fixed (yet). She also wanted to send me to specialist to fix a tooth which had had both a root canal and crown because the crown had fallen off and there isn't much tooth to build it back up. I will follow up with this.

During my camping vacation, a few weeks ago, my mouth became horribly infected with pain - an upper molar was the cause - its been causing me pain off and on for about 2 years. I was once prescribed an anti-biotic to bring the swelling down and then... nothing. No follow-up ... but the pain continued to occur regularly - it just didn't flare up again so I figured it was just something I would have to deal with.
WELL, this was not a good decision as my mouth swelled up as if I had Bells-Palsy! Honestly, it was horrible... throbbing..and so, I went to a dentist who prescribed double anti-biotics and told me to visit my dentist as soon as I get home.

The swelling is down and the pain disappeared... I got busy and left it a week... here I am, now, 1 week off anti-biotics and the pain is back....

so... off to the dentist I go, tomorrow! I'm concerned about gum disease and whether or not this tooth will be played around with for a while or whether or not it will be pulled.

Anyway.... just wanted to thank you all for this most enlightening thread! I'll be back!!

thanks!