hi I started getting intense acute pain in my tooth five days ago. the tooth had a recent filling about 2 months ago. I went to the dentist on day 2 and was told I had an infection and was given a five day antibiotic and an appointment for a root canal. on day 4 I woke up with a swollen cheek and numbness around my lower lip and general area of mouth that has infection. I went back to dentist and he opened tooth up took out the nerves and left it open and gave me additional one day antiobiotic. This procedure definitely helped with the pain but its been one day since and I still have the swelling and numbness. im scared of what ive read about that. Should I be worried? Should I go the er? can the infection spread or should I wait and let the antibiotics take effect?

what tooth is it? also, if the swelling gets so bad that is it affecting your tongue, mouth, airway, you need to seek help immediately. Bryanna is the expert, hopefully she'll answer you soon....and hopefully your swelling goes away.

Hi sucre,

I am in the dental field and can offer you some help here.

You should call the dentist and tell him what is happening. Don't wait until monday.... call him today. His answering service will get a hold of him and he will call you back.

A note about root canal therapy that your dentist may not tell you. Once a tooth becomes infected, it remains infected. The tiny canals that contain nerve tissue cannot be cleaned out.... only the large canals can be. So even after the treatment is done, those tiny canals will still be infected. Even after the procedure is done...eventually the tooth will show signs of the infection and need to be removed.

The fact that he started the rc procedure and left it open to drain is a clear indication that the tooth is badly inflamed and infected. It is not healthy for you to have this tooth draining pus and bacteria into your mouth and digestive system.

The only way to cure the infection is to remove the source of the problem which is the tooth. Anything other than removal will not cure the infection.

You should call the dentist and report your symptoms to him and then consider the option of removing this tooth if you want to be rid of the infection for good.

Let us know how you are doing.

Bryanna


4663]hi I started getting intense acute pain in my tooth five days ago. the tooth had a recent filling about 2 months ago. I went to the dentist on day 2 and was told I had an infection and was given a five day antibiotic and an appointment for a root canal. on day 4 I woke up with a swollen cheek and numbness around my lower lip and general area of mouth that has infection. I went back to dentist and he opened tooth up took out the nerves and left it open and gave me additional one day antiobiotic. This procedure definitely helped with the pain but its been one day since and I still have the swelling and numbness. im scared of what ive read about that. Should I be worried? Should I go the er? can the infection spread or should I wait and let the antibiotics take effect?[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your reply

I saw my dentist again today and he did recommend taking the tooth out. The swelling in my cheek has gone down but the numbness/tightness in my lower lip/chin is still there. Today is the 17th and my appointment to take the tooth out is the 25th.

Do you think that is to long to wait? I brought this up to the dentist and he said it could go either way. That wasn't to reassuring. What do you think? I just finished the antibiotics and im no longer in pain but he said he could see by the look of my gums that the infection is stil there.




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Hi sucre,

Yes, I believe that is too long to wait. Is this dentist an oral surgeon?? If not, it may be best to see an oral surgeon given the history of this tooth, the infection and the numbness you are experiencing. The antibiotics have temporarily subsided the swelling but that will not last long.

Your dental problem would be considered significant and really requires attention. Your dentist should not be taking a lackadaisical attitude with this.

Can you call your general dentist and ask for a referral to an oral surgeon? They can tell you who they routinely refer to. I think that would be your best bet.

Bryanna




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Thanks bryanna

I called the dentist and now they are seeing me tomorrow Thursday to take the tooth out. I live in the uk so unfortunately under the nhs I cant ask to be sent to an oral surgeon unless the dentist refers me. also I wont be covered for an implant or bridge work because there is a huge gap. the tooth coming out is my second molar from the far right on the bottom

anything you think I should request he do during the extraction to better treat the infection?

thanks


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Hi sucre,

That is so incredible that you cannot be seen by an oral surgeon of your choice! You should be able to see whomever you want to! What rubbish :/

I am glad that you are being seen sooner!

Things are the things that need to be done during a tooth extraction:

The tooth should be removed as gently as possible to avoid too much trauma to the bone.

The socket should be thoroughly debrided (scraped).... removing the periodontal ligament and all necrotic tissue and bone. This will also cause a good amount of blood flow...which is what you want to be able to form a healthy clot.

Bone grafts should only be placed in the socket if all of the above has been done and the cleaned out socket looks healthy.

Follow the post op instructions carefully. No rinsing for 24 hours. Then begin to rinse with warm salt water only..... NO mouthwash. You will do these rinses 3-4 times a day until the surgical hole closes over.... could be a few weeks. It is important to brush and floss all of your teeth as normal to keep the plaque down. You don't have to use toothpaste.... just use a moist or dry toothbrush for the first week. The idea is to remove the plaque and brushing/flossing will do that.

Prepare a nutritious soft food diet "menu" ahead of time to be eaten for several days. Veggie and fruit smoothies..... homemade soups... eggs...
nothing chewy, sticky, no seeds or rice, nothing spicy or hot in temperature. As the site heals you will gradually alter your diet accordingly.

Let us know how you're doing!
Bryanna






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hi bryanna

well I just got home. the tooth came out easily. it all happened so fast. he really just numbed me up and then took the tooth out and gave me something to bite on. Im obviously still all numbed up so I don't know how bad the pain will be but im guessing it wont be as bad as the pain from when the tooth was infected before it was opened up to drain.

thanks again for all your advice and let me know if I should look out for anything in the next few hours.



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Sucre,

I'm hoping the dentist scraped the socket after he removed the tooth.

How are you feeling today?

Bryanna



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