Hello, new user here hopefully I'm posting correctly I'm a bit worried about something. I seem to have just popped this little zit while eatting dinner. I felt the pop and went to have a look in the mirror to see what happened no pain nor discomfort was caused by this nor any pain before it popped. I went and rinsed with listerine and covered it with some cotton pads so tout hopefully won't spread I'm unable to see a dentist about it for a while since I'm over seas visiting my wife. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi MoparDakota,

So the bump was directly over the area where a tooth was recently extracted? Was the extracted tooth a root canaled tooth? Had you ever had a similar bump in that area before the tooth was removed? Does the term fistula sound familiar to you? These are pimple like bumps that are red, sometimes with white center and usually are surrounded by inflammation. These are related to infection and often puss will come out.

There are also benign bumps that can appear anyplace in the mouth that are not associated with bacteria. They appear clear and have no inflammation associated with them. They are little mucoceles or mucus retention cysts. They appear suddenly during eating or irritation.

Do you have an idea of which you think you had?

Bryanna

Bryanna,
It was or, what seemed to be directly where the novacaine injection site was right where he stuck me. Unsure if that has anything to do with it? It was plainly an extraction no root canal, no insurance so the cost would've been ungodly. My dentist is a family friend so he gave me a discounted tooth extraction price. No I've not had any bump there before that I can recall. I've heard of a fistula but am unsure it is possible that may be it, but when I had checked it in the bathroom I gave it a little squeeze to see if it was pimple like and sure enough puss like fluid seeped out. It was white centered with a slight redness round it but not swollen nor inflamed, it doesn't hurt at all. It seems to be clearing after the pop as of today it doesn't look bad look just like a regular pimple that's been popped.

Hi MoparDakota.

If puss came out then that indicates infection. It is best to have the area evaluated and have an xray to show if there is anything going on in the bone.

Bryanna

Right, but will it be alright until the 12th of jan as I am over seas. I don't have travelers insurance which I really should've gotten! :/ I'm unsure if there's a way to get if now?

MoparDakota,

Yea, if this is an infection, the timing of this is not good :/
If it is a fistula it may fill up again but do not pop it with your finger and you could introduce bacteria into it. Use a wet q tip to gently break it if you can but do not be overly aggressive with that as you could cause further irritation.

If it is a mucocele, then it may or may not fill up again. But this would not contain puss, it would contain a watery clear liquid. Again break it with a moist q tip not your finger.

I cannot tell you if this will become a problem before the 12th of Jan or not as I don't know if it is a mucocele or a fistula.

In either case, I would suggest that you take some precaution rinse with warm salt water 3-4 times a day for several days. Use about 1/4 tsp of salt in 3 oz of warm water. Rinse aggressively up in that area to keep it very clean. The salt may hold things at bay for a short time if it is an infection.

I hope this information is helpful.
Hopefully the dental issue is uneventful and you are able to enjoy your visit with your wife!

Bryanna