Friday i had a real bad swollen jaw, *i posted earlier* i started antibiotics on saturday ammox 500mg 3 times a day. Was sore till today swelling went down a lot but there is still a bump on my gum from where it's still abscessed however the cheeck swelling went down that was very painfull. My question is can i pop the blister with a steralized lance? It doesn't seem to want to go down. I have listerine to rinse my mouth out after i do it. I went to the dentist on Tuesday and he drilled a hole in the tooth let it drain *it stunk really bad* and then i went back today for a medicated filling. He used this syringe thing and then put some filling over top of it. I asked him if he could pop that blister but he said antibiotics would take it down. I really don't see why he didn't pop the blister because that's what hurts and not the actual tooth. Anyone know best thing to do? I feel like the dentist jerks me around sometimes and doesn't realize the pain.

JaySmitty,

The "blister" is not a blister. It is a fistula and it is not superficial on just the gum tissue. It is the draining head of a very deep infection in the jaw bone. NO, do not lance it with anything. Also avoid using listerine for any reason at any time as this is nothing more than a toxic mixture of chemicals, dyes, and preservatives. In spite of how this product is marketed, there are no therapeutic benefits to using Listerine whatsoever.

The antibiotic has only temporarily subsided the symptoms. The tooth is infected and the only way to get rid of the infection is to remove the tooth. There is no dental procedure or medication that will cure the infection as the bacteria that is causing the infection is brewing inside of the tiny canals inside of the tooth. These canals cannot be cleaned out or reached with medication.

Drilling a hole into the tooth is done to reduce the pressure from the infection. But the pressure will build up again and again because the tooth is infected. The fistula may get a smaller but it will fill up again because the infection is in the jaw bone and it's draining through the fistula.

Did your dentist give you the option of removing this tooth? That truly is the only way to rid yourself of the infection.

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna,
Well i was rubbing on my jaw real hard one day and the next day it puff out like crazy it started hurting when it was swollen. I assume when i rubbed on my jaw it popped the abcess under the tooth that's the only thing i can think of that would have made it do that. No my dentist did not mention pulling the tooth. They said that tooth can be saved by root canal. I personally never had a root canal but my mom and dad have and they both said they never had any pain or problems since the canal. My tooth don't even hurt it's the bump. So there is no way to drain out the infection at all? I wish there was because i don't like all that nasty stuff trapped in my jaw. I know i could get the tooth pulled but i just worry about keep losing more teeth i am only 33 i had to get my bicuspid pulled on my upper tooth and im am not sure how my body will react to an implant. However i do want the infection gone.

JaySmitty,

There are millions of people who have root canaled teeth. Many have little to no obvious "tooth" symptoms telling them that there is a problem. However, every root canaled tooth remains infected and the bacteria spreads through the blood to other areas of the mouth and the body. Many times the person is ill with other health problems that have originated or correlated with their infected teeth. Unfortunately the person is treated for their other physical symptoms and there asymptomatic tooth infection goes undiagnosed. Every ones immune system is unique in that one person can become ill but never become too sick... while someone else could develop the same illness and become deathly ill.

An example of diseases that are correlated with oral infections that have little to no symptoms until they are severe are.... diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, auto immune disorders, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions.

I know it seems strange to link together a tooth infection with any of those things but the two main issues that connect all of them are 1) chronic infection and 2) chronic inflammation.

Rubbing against your jaw did not "pop" the abscess. It simply stimulated the inflammation that was already brewing in that area. Even if you had not done that, it would only have been a matter of time before the swelling and fistula occurred because you have an abscess. The fistula forms as the pressure from the bacteria burrows a hole or tunnel from the tooth, through the bone and eventually through the gum tissue. This hole or tunnel in the bone is part of the abscess and the longer the infection is present the less likely this area of bone will regenerate even after the tooth is removed. This is a severe infection and the abscess that can be visually seen in your mouth and on the x-ray is the result of the bacteria that will remain inside of the tooth irrelevant of what procedure is done to it. There is no way to drain out the infection because there is no access to the many hundreds of microscopic canals (called dentin tubules) that will continue to harbor infected nerve tissue. The bone cannot become healthy again until the source of the infection is removed, which is the tooth.

Some people who have a lesser infection will not develop an abscess or fistula. But even those people who have the tooth root canaled will still have a chronically infected tooth in their mouth.

Do you have dental problems in general? How many teeth have you had removed and why were they removed? What are your concerns about having a dental implant to replace the upper bicupsid?

Bryanna

Well the dentist i had did a filling on the tooth i had last abscess and this tooth. I have never had an abcess tooth unless it had a filling. Could the dentist be drilling the holes to deep to put the filling in? My teeth keep getting cavites in between them and i do brush and floss daily. My mom's sad has bad teeth but i managed to keep all mine until last year i had one tooth pulled but i still have the rest of my teeth. Like i said seems like the deep fillings my dentist puts in always abscess. Should i change dentists or would this have happened anyway? Thank You

JaySmitty,

If your cavities are deep then the drilling to remove them will be deep. This can lead to infection and abscess.

If the decay is not completely removed and/or the filling does not fit properly, then the tooth will continue to decay and that could lead to infection and abscess.

It is important to brush and floss properly. If you are not using the proper technique then you will continue to get cavities. When you have your teeth cleaned by the hygienist ask her to demonstrate the proper brushing and flossing technique. She should actually be showing you this without asking... but if she's not, then ask her.

Diet plays a huge role in tooth decay. Eating sugary foods or drinking soda or fruit juices, even diet drinks, will cause tooth decay. Think of it as bathing your teeth in sugar and acid all day. Diets high in carbohydrates, crackers, potato chips and most sticky foods will cause tooth decay also.

Some dental problems can be hereditary. However, there is usually other circumstances such as diet, improper oral hygiene and/or certain medications that cause a person to develop tooth decay.

If your dentist is not giving you reasons for your tooth decay and he is not offering you treatment options for the problems you are having, like extracting this infected tooth, then it may behoove you to find another dentist.

I know the information I am giving you is tough to read and I wish your dentist was more informative with you. After 3 decades in dentistry, I have learned that it is always best to tell the patient the truth.... even when it's tough to hear :/

Bryanna

Bryanna i still have a little bit of swelling on that tooth definitely not like it was but i can still feel it. Now my throat on the right side feels a little swollen but it's only noticable if you feel it. I know my allergies are starting to go nuts also and i figured that might be causing some throat uncomfort. Should i refill the antibiotics if there's even a little bit of swelling left? It's not notiable like it was but i have been sneezing and feeling of real dry mouth so bad. I can't determine if it's the tooth or the allergies. My stomachs also bothered me. None of my dentists seem to want to answer their phone. lol

Thanks,

JaySmitty,

I have been in the dental profession for over 3 decades. I am an educator, trainer and extensively experienced in chair side assisting and dental radiography. The information that I have provided for you is my opinion based on my professional experience and is not meant to be taken as medical advice.

I know you are scared and don't seem to be getting the guidance that you want from the dentists that you have seen. But it is never wise to attempt to self treat an abscessed tooth. Repeated doses of antibiotics are not going to cure the infection and they can actually become counter productive which could be concerning to your overall health.

Based on your various descriptions of your dental problem, the tooth is infected, the infection has spread and the antibiotics are not going to cure it. It would be wise to consult with your dentist again and discuss removal of this tooth.

FYI... Swelling of the throat can occur with an infected lower tooth and when it does, it is considered an emergency situation. A condition called Ludwig's syndrome can occur which will close off the airway. You need to get help with this tooth asap.

Bryanna

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you are having issues with your teeth. It is always a frightening thing. The one thing I have learned is to get a second opinion. If you are uncomfortable with the second opinion, go for a third. During all of your consultations, bring someone along who is not in pain. They can take notes so the discussion doesn't become confusing.

We patients do need to advocate for good health care. There are, unfortunately, dentists who give the profession a very bad name. For the most part they are well versed, well educated and there because they want to help, not hurt their patients.

I am in the middle of getting a root canal sorted out. I have found a endodontist who is knowledgeable, caring and understanding. Their is nothing worse than demonizing an entire profession because of a bad experience.

Follow the advice you have been given. Take your antibiotics, without fail and please don't pop anything yourself. You need professional intervention to ensure you don't get any sicker. Be well.

Bryanna I can't see a dentist till monday. My tooth doesn't even hurt but it's my right side of throat, i can still breath and stuff ok however it's mostly on the right side of my throat that is swollen but it doesn't hurt to touch it just feels weird. I also have allergiest so i wonder if that's playing a role on my throat? I been sneezing runny nose. So i wonder if it's a combination of things...Anyway. I posted a link to my pictures of xray and fistula. I'm tired of taking antibiotics it's really driving me nuts lol. Please let me knwo what you think of the pictures. I also feel like sinus pressure when i look up and down. I don't know if that's from sinuses or the infection.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/123193...h/13834329225/