[threeputt]

I am age 65 and suffered with sinus infections for many years. When I was in the Air Force a Dentist used me for trial and error and I think I came back with an error. Let me explain.

In 1968 while stationed at Ramey AFB Puerto Rico an Air Force Dentist did what I think back then was called a root canal. He made an incision right above number 6 tooth telling me that would fix my tooth problem. The next day after he did the cutting on the gum my right eye turned black. It went away and then the left eye turned black. I had a hard time explaining to all my friends what happened.

The tooth turned black years later and I had a crown installed. It also went bad and about five years ago another crown put in. I have had problems in that area since way back then with sinus infections.

About five years ago my local dentist sent me to a oral surgeon to get a second opinion on what showed on the ex-ray. He said it was scar tissue and to leave it along. He said it was from the surgery done years ago.

Last year a puss sack formed right above the tooth. This had happened several times over the years also.. My local doc always would put me on antibiotics and it would go away.

Well last week I woke up with the same tooth hurting. I thought it would go away but of course it did not. I went to the doctor yesterday and again more antibiotics. Today I noticed the small puss filled thing again and called the dentist. She drained it and said the antibiotics should take care of the problem.

I know it will come back and I never feel really great. I am in good health other than this. Would just removed the complete tooth fix the problem because at this point I am willing to do anything to stop this problem. I am retired and have not felt good dealing with sinus infections for the last several years.

Under my right eye was swollen and very tender to touch the last few days but I think now after the dentist drained the thing today it has gone down a lot and not as sore as it was.

I just want to get healthy and feel good again and not deal with sinus problems. I just about know the Air Force dentist cut into my sinus cavity. Why would my eyes turn black way back then if he did not? I remember going back to him and he said that was normal. I have never had anyone else tell me a dentist caused them to have two black eyes. If I could find him today he might have one also

Sorry for the long post but I hope I covered everything so someone here can share what might be going on. Thanks. Tom

[Bryanna]

Hi Tom.

You have a chronically infected tooth that has spread to the bone and based on your description has likely spread into the sinus. The procedure that you had done in the Air Force is called an apicoectomy or surgical root canal. I'm sorry to say that this procedure did nothing to help your tooth and it has been infected all of these years. No wonder you don't feel well!! :/

Your best bet is to remove this ill tooth by an oral surgeon who will clean out the bone and sinus if needed. Be sure to tell the surgeon you want all residual infection and necrotic bone removed at the time of the extraction. This way it gives him no excuse not to do what is necessary.

It is not uncommon for bruising to develop in some patients after oral surgery procedures that involve cutting of the bone. The apicoectomy is a very invasive procedure and often results in extensive bruising.

You may also want to consult with an Ear Nose and Throat specialist about how far into the sinus this tooth infection has spread prior to having the tooth removed. Sometimes oral surgeons work along with ENT surgeons on cases that are complicated. Always best to have a full diagnosis before you have any surgery.

Please keep us posted...ok
Bryanna

Originally Posted by threeputt

I am age 65 and suffered with sinus infections for many years. When I was in the Air Force a Dentist used me for trial and error and I think I came back with an error. Let me explain.

In 1968 while stationed at Ramey AFB Puerto Rico an Air Force Dentist did what I think back then was called a root canal. He made an incision right above number 6 tooth telling me that would fix my tooth problem. The next day after he did the cutting on the gum my right eye turned black. It went away and then the left eye turned black. I had a hard time explaining to all my friends what happened.

The tooth turned black years later and I had a crown installed. It also went bad and about five years ago another crown put in. I have had problems in that area since way back then with sinus infections.

About five years ago my local dentist sent me to a oral surgeon to get a second opinion on what showed on the ex-ray. He said it was scar tissue and to leave it along. He said it was from the surgery done years ago.

Last year a puss sack formed right above the tooth. This had happened several times over the years also.. My local doc always would put me on antibiotics and it would go away.

Well last week I woke up with the same tooth hurting. I thought it would go away but of course it did not. I went to the doctor yesterday and again more antibiotics. Today I noticed the small puss filled thing again and called the dentist. She drained it and said the antibiotics should take care of the problem.

I know it will come back and I never feel really great. I am in good health other than this. Would just removed the complete tooth fix the problem because at this point I am willing to do anything to stop this problem. I am retired and have not felt good dealing with sinus infections for the last several years.

Under my right eye was swollen and very tender to touch the last few days but I think now after the dentist drained the thing today it has gone down a lot and not as sore as it was.

I just want to get healthy and feel good again and not deal with sinus problems. I just about know the Air Force dentist cut into my sinus cavity. Why would my eyes turn black way back then if he did not? I remember going back to him and he said that was normal. I have never had anyone else tell me a dentist caused them to have two black eyes. If I could find him today he might have one also

Sorry for the long post but I hope I covered everything so someone here can share what might be going on. Thanks. Tom

[threeputt]

Thanks Bryanna. I just want to quit taking all these antibiotic's. I know after a period of time it will do a number on your gut. I did today go to walmart a purchase the Probiotics you mentioned here so I hope it will help some. I have been taking Levaquin for four days now and really have not seem much help.

Maybe tomorrow will be better as the swelling as gone down more tonight. I still have the puss things on my gum and now on the inside of my lip near the tooth but it also looks much better today. I have been using the salt about five times a day.

Like I said the swelling has somewhat gone down and but I know the infection is still there. I could care less about this tooth and if removing it will make me well again then out it goes. I will visit an oral surgeon for that like you suggested.

I remember waking up last week one day and was real dizzy and the next day or two is when I woke up at AM with a tooth ache. I called my dentist today and told her that if this tooth needs coming out I want her to recommend a good surgeon to do this. Lets hope this works out. I know I have lived with infection for years and now I think I understand why I have not been 100% for all these years.

Last October I had a lymph node swell up in the lower neck under my right ear that was as big as a golf ball. The local doctor just treated me with three different antibiotics and I think it took about 6 weeks for it to go completely down. I was also very worried about that but was told if it went down then I was probably OK. They did an ultra scan and said the node was infected.

Even through this was on the opposite side from now it could be all tied together. I also remember years ago when I would get sick I could actually smell nasty stuff draining from the now bad tooth. That is before it was crowned. I believe all these problems with my teeth could have been causing the run down ill feeling I have suffered off and on for years? I have had a few root canals done over the years and my mouth is full of crowns. I had nine replaced from 2005 until 2011 while I was still working. There were no root canals down on these though.

I actually have good looking teeth but pulling that number 6 will not alter my smile. I just wish someone would have seen to do this years ago. I once had a older dentist tell me that he did not really believe in all the root canals that were being done today. He was a good golfing friend of mine but he passed away a few years ago. I could have asked him about this and I am sure he would have told me the truth on this.

I also suffered with a bout of strep five weeks ago and was sent to an ENT out of my town. The local doc was really worried and he actually told me it could be cancer. You think I worried about that one? By the time I got to finally see the ENT it was cleared up. I also had a small knot near my tonsil which also looked like the one I had on my gum this week. The doctor felt bad when I went to him this week and said he was sorry for the scare but felt he could not take any chances especially with my age.

I also used to smoke but have been quit for 31 years now. Again sorry for long post. I will be back and let you know how I come out and THANKS for your advice. Tom

[Bryanna]

Hi Tom,

Seriously, If I had a penny for every patient that I've seen who was physically ill from their teeth.... I would be millionaire by now!! Most have recovered their physical health extremely well after their oral infections were taken care of.

The probiotic will help to replenish the good bacteria that has been destroyed by the antibiotic but it is the chronic infection that is continually taxing your immune system. In case you are unaware.... our digestive system, from our mouth all the way down to the **** incorporates 80% of our immune system. So any infections or inflammation anyplace within that tract will compromise our overall health.

Tom if you haven't seen this article before about root canals, I think it may be helpful to take a look....
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...0218_DNL_art_1

Keep us posted on how you're doing!
Bryanna

Originally Posted by threeputt

Thanks Bryanna. I just want to quit taking all these antibiotic's. I know after a period of time it will do a number on your gut. I did today go to walmart a purchase the Probiotics you mentioned here so I hope it will help some. I have been taking Levaquin for four days now and really have not seem much help.

Maybe tomorrow will be better as the swelling as gone down more tonight. I still have the puss things on my gum and now on the inside of my lip near the tooth but it also looks much better today. I have been using the salt about five times a day.

Like I said the swelling has somewhat gone down and but I know the infection is still there. I could care less about this tooth and if removing it will make me well again then out it goes. I will visit an oral surgeon for that like you suggested.

I remember waking up last week one day and was real dizzy and the next day or two is when I woke up at AM with a tooth ache. I called my dentist today and told her that if this tooth needs coming out I want her to recommend a good surgeon to do this. Lets hope this works out. I know I have lived with infection for years and now I think I understand why I have not been 100% for all these years.

Last October I had a lymph node swell up in the lower neck under my right ear that was as big as a golf ball. The local doctor just treated me with three different antibiotics and I think it took about 6 weeks for it to go completely down. I was also very worried about that but was told if it went down then I was probably OK. They did an ultra scan and said the node was infected.

Even through this was on the opposite side from now it could be all tied together. I also remember years ago when I would get sick I could actually smell nasty stuff draining from the now bad tooth. That is before it was crowned. I believe all these problems with my teeth could have been causing the run down ill feeling I have suffered off and on for years? I have had a few root canals done over the years and my mouth is full of crowns. I had nine replaced from 2005 until 2011 while I was still working. There were no root canals down on these though.

I actually have good looking teeth but pulling that number 6 will not alter my smile. I just wish someone would have seen to do this years ago. I once had a older dentist tell me that he did not really believe in all the root canals that were being done today. He was a good golfing friend of mine but he passed away a few years ago. I could have asked him about this and I am sure he would have told me the truth on this.

I also suffered with a bout of strep five weeks ago and was sent to an ENT out of my town. The local doc was really worried and he actually told me it could be cancer. You think I worried about that one? By the time I got to finally see the ENT it was cleared up. I also had a small knot near my tonsil which also looked like the one I had on my gum this week. The doctor felt bad when I went to him this week and said he was sorry for the scare but felt he could not take any chances especially with my age.

I also used to smoke but have been quit for 31 years now. Again sorry for long post. I will be back and let you know how I come out and THANKS for your advice. Tom

[threeputt]

Thanks again Bryanna. The link you showed did not work for me. I will google the problem with root canals and see. Like I mentioned about my friend who was a Dentist years ago and what he thought about all these root canals being done. He was old school and a very smart person. I do recall him telling me about what could happen after a root canal years after it was done. A breeding ground for infection is what he told me as I remember.

The problem I face is who to go to as far as doctors. ENT, Oral Surgeon or Dentist? My doctor said I had a sinus infection and just wrote the script for Levaquin. I am worried I will get where this great antibiotic will not work if I continue to take these every few months.

You think I should call my Dentist Monday and ask what needs to be done after this infection is cleared? I do feel much better today and the white stuff on my gum is almost gone along with the swelling, thank goodness for that. I will keep you updated and thanks so much for helping here. Tom

[Bryanna]

Tom,

The infection will only subside temporarily because the infected tooth is what is causing the infection to be constantly present. Your situation is commonly seen in every dental office ......simply because many dentists do not concern themselves about the systemic connection between the mouth and the rest of the body. Many dentists are still in denial about how an infected tooth can infect the sinuses. Even though they have seen this time and time again.

Here is a different link to the root canal connection to our overall health... hopefully this one will open for you...
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...ot-canals.aspx

Glad you are feeling a bit better! But please continue to gather as much information as you can about the consequences of retaining that root canal tooth.

Keep in touch here....
Bryanna

Originally Posted by threeputt

Thanks again Bryanna. The link you showed did not work for me. I will google the problem with root canals and see. Like I mentioned about my friend who was a Dentist years ago and what he thought about all these root canals being done. He was old school and a very smart person. I do recall him telling me about what could happen after a root canal years after it was done. A breeding ground for infection is what he told me as I remember.

The problem I face is who to go to as far as doctors. ENT, Oral Surgeon or Dentist? My doctor said I had a sinus infection and just wrote the script for Levaquin. I am worried I will get where this great antibiotic will not work if I continue to take these every few months.

You think I should call my Dentist Monday and ask what needs to be done after this infection is cleared? I do feel much better today and the white stuff on my gum is almost gone along with the swelling, thank goodness for that. I will keep you updated and thanks so much for helping here. Tom

[threeputt]

Thanks again Bryanna. I hate to keep asking questions but I guess I would never know if I did not. You have been so helpful here, more than I can get out of my Doctor or Dentist. They just write scripts and send me on my way.

When I first called the Dentist Tuesday morning and told them about my problems the girl said oh you will need to be sent to an Oral Surgeon and have them do a root canal. I then told her the root canal was done 45 years ago. She did not say anything after that but she said they could see me that afternoon.

I am like many my age. I am on Medicare with the best money can buy supplement but no Dental insurance. I really did not think I would need it because the last 10 years I worked I had everything I thought would be needed done to my teeth before I did retire. I can afford to pay what it takes to get the work done. At this point I really do not care how much it cost. I just want to stay well.

I have one question I bet you have heard many times. Would my Medicare pay for any of the work that needs doing? I think my teeth are the reason I have been feeling so bad. I never even thought about that until this problem came up.

I had nine crowns put on since 2005 and my teeth look like new. I guess under the teeth is where the problem has been all this time. I just thought my allergies were causing the sinus infections all these years until this time.

I did not even have any symptoms like stuffed up nose or cold like problems this time. It started with me getting up last week being dizzy and then two days later I woke up with a bad toothache. The tooth mostly hurt when I would tap on it. That went away after a few days and then I noticed the gum boil and swelling under my eye.

I did read about the root canal problems from the link you posted. After almost 66 years I never even thought that root canals could actually make people sick. I learn something everyday. I just wish I had been warned back in 1968 then the Air Force Dentist did the knife job on me. I do remember him telling me he needed to do that procedure in order to get into private practice. He was going to retire the next year from the AF and start his own business. Can you believe he used me to practice on? What a sick jerk he must have been.

Thanks again for staying in touch. I will keep you updated on how things go. Tom

[Bryanna]

Tom,

Young, old or otherwise.... when we open our minds, we always learn something. It may not always be what we want to hear.... but if we're smart we'll listen because knowledge gives up the empowerment to make wise choices. Your AF dentist did what he was taught to do and didn't think twice about it because he himself had not been properly informed. To this very day, most dental schools teach their students to be tooth carpenters...... not doctors. So unless they question the risk of systemic complications, they will never know and will just keep on doing the carpentry. I know that's not what you want to hear as it is certainly not that reassuring.... but I am hopeful that that mindset will one day change for the better. I've been saying that for over 30 yrs.... but I do see some slow improvement. Why?? Because patients are becoming better informed and they are asking a lot of the right questions!!! YAY!

Medicare basically does not cover dental care that you need primarily for the health of your teeth. That is a direct quote from the medicare establishment. They might cover something traumatic like the reconstruction of your jaw after chemotherapy or radiation. You may be able to purchase dental insurance through AARP. But be aware that the coverage will be limited and they may have waiting periods for certain major services.

Of course it's important that the teeth look esthetically pleasing... especially after you've paid a lot of money for them. However, crowned teeth can be very deceiving because the esthetics do not often reflect what is going on underneath the crown or in the bone.

Do you have other root canaled teeth?

What did you think of that link that I sent to you?

Bryanna

Originally Posted by threeputt

Thanks again Bryanna. I hate to keep asking questions but I guess I would never know if I did not. You have been so helpful here, more than I can get out of my Doctor or Dentist. They just write scripts and send me on my way.

When I first called the Dentist Tuesday morning and told them about my problems the girl said oh you will need to be sent to an Oral Surgeon and have them do a root canal. I then told her the root canal was done 45 years ago. She did not say anything after that but she said they could see me that afternoon.

I am like many my age. I am on Medicare with the best money can buy supplement but no Dental insurance. I really did not think I would need it because the last 10 years I worked I had everything I thought would be needed done to my teeth before I did retire. I can afford to pay what it takes to get the work done. At this point I really do not care how much it cost. I just want to stay well.

I have one question I bet you have heard many times. Would my Medicare pay for any of the work that needs doing? I think my teeth are the reason I have been feeling so bad. I never even thought about that until this problem came up.

I had nine crowns put on since 2005 and my teeth look like new. I guess under the teeth is where the problem has been all this time. I just thought my allergies were causing the sinus infections all these years until this time.

I did not even have any symptoms like stuffed up nose or cold like problems this time. It started with me getting up last week being dizzy and then two days later I woke up with a bad toothache. The tooth mostly hurt when I would tap on it. That went away after a few days and then I noticed the gum boil and swelling under my eye.

I did read about the root canal problems from the link you posted. After almost 66 years I never even thought that root canals could actually make people sick. I learn something everyday. I just wish I had been warned back in 1968 then the Air Force Dentist did the knife job on me. I do remember him telling me he needed to do that procedure in order to get into private practice. He was going to retire the next year from the AF and start his own business. Can you believe he used me to practice on? What a sick jerk he must have been.

Thanks again for staying in touch. I will keep you updated on how things go. Tom

[threeputt]

I do have other root canals in my mouth. I even had one done by a Dentist that I was told later was not even qualified to do them. That's scary now that I know about him. I quit using him right after I found out. He only patched my teeth and never fixed anything the right way. Why I used him I cannot tell you but I was much younger and dumb back then.

When I was growing up here in the deep south my parents did not teach us very good dental hygiene. My Dad had dentures and my Mother had lots of trouble with her teeth. I learned after joining the AF how to take better care of myself.

I do not blame my parents because back then just surviving was more of an issue than most anything else. Both my parents were born in 1915, both raised in very large families. My Dad had 14 brothers and sisters if that tells you anything. My Dad was working in the cotton field when he was about 8 years old. A very tough life compared to now. I doubt anyone in his family knew anything about taking care of teeth. That's just how it was back then.

Not that me telling about my parents have anything to do with this topic. I did want to mention about them and maybe shed some light on why my teeth have so many crowns. I was just never taught how to take care of my health back then.

I can also tell you that even though my Dad grew up in a very poor family he was very successful in life. All his brothers and sisters that lived were also. Its funny that my Dad had very little education and yet he was a very successful business man. All his brothers were also self employed and enjoyed a great life. I learned so much from him after I was grown. I wish I could have had them for many more years but both my parents died way to early. My Mom at 63 and my Dad at 72. Both of them had all sorts of health problems the last 20 years of their life.

I joined the Air Force in 1966 and it seemed I stayed in the dental offices a lot back then. When I was stationed at Ramey AFB in 68 is when the AF dentist did the knife trick on me. Like I mentioned he told me he needed that to be on his record to start his civilian practice and of course I agree not knowing any better.

I also checked the website you posted and I still cannot see anything about root canals. Maybe the link is no longer active? I tried internet explorer and Google Chrome.

Again thanks for posting all the great info. Sorry for all my rants but wanted to explain a little about how being taught at a very early age about health issues could save people problems later in life. Tom

[Bryanna]

Hi Tom,

Well thanks for sharing a piece of your history with us! How interesting to hear about your parents and their background. I cannot imagine how difficult it had to be to work in the cotton fields. The long hours in the heat, the bugs, the thorns stabbing in the fingers!!!! My God your dad and others who did that sort of work were some of the strongest humans ever to have withstood those conditions!! And I'm sure they were grateful to have a job and earn the pennies that they did. It just goes to show that education is really only a small piece of the puzzle because without courage and determination one would never be truly successful. You're so right life was a hell of a lot tougher back then for many folks and appallingly tough for some more than others .... I wonder how your parents would view life today??

The links I'm giving you are not opening because for what ever reason they may not be allowed on this site. So let's try it this way, google these words..
dr mercola how a root canal can affect your health.

Let me know if that works

Bryanna

Originally Posted by threeputt

I do have other root canals in my mouth. I even had one done by a Dentist that I was told later was not even qualified to do them. That's scary now that I know about him. I quit using him right after I found out. He only patched my teeth and never fixed anything the right way. Why I used him I cannot tell you but I was much younger and dumb back then.

When I was growing up here in the deep south my parents did not teach us very good dental hygiene. My Dad had dentures and my Mother had lots of trouble with her teeth. I learned after joining the AF how to take better care of myself.

I do not blame my parents because back then just surviving was more of an issue than most anything else. Both my parents were born in 1915, both raised in very large families. My Dad had 14 brothers and sisters if that tells you anything. My Dad was working in the cotton field when he was about 8 years old. A very tough life compared to now. I doubt anyone in his family knew anything about taking care of teeth. That's just how it was back then.

Not that me telling about my parents have anything to do with this topic. I did want to mention about them and maybe shed some light on why my teeth have so many crowns. I was just never taught how to take care of my health back then.

I can also tell you that even though my Dad grew up in a very poor family he was very successful in life. All his brothers and sisters that lived were also. Its funny that my Dad had very little education and yet he was a very successful business man. All his brothers were also self employed and enjoyed a great life. I learned so much from him after I was grown. I wish I could have had them for many more years but both my parents died way to early. My Mom at 63 and my Dad at 72. Both of them had all sorts of health problems the last 20 years of their life.

I joined the Air Force in 1966 and it seemed I stayed in the dental offices a lot back then. When I was stationed at Ramey AFB in 68 is when the AF dentist did the knife trick on me. Like I mentioned he told me he needed that to be on his record to start his civilian practice and of course I agree not knowing any better.

I also checked the website you posted and I still cannot see anything about root canals. Maybe the link is no longer active? I tried internet explorer and Google Chrome.

Again thanks for posting all the great info. Sorry for all my rants but wanted to explain a little about how being taught at a very early age about health issues could save people problems later in life. Tom