Tooth infection and ear issues
 

About 5-6 months ago, I experienced an agonising toothache while drinking cold water. This toothache continued intermittently for weeks and often it would feel like my entire jaw on the left side was aching. Being afraid of dentists, I put off visiting one and my toothache became more intermittent and 'manageable' so I tried my best to ignore it.

Several months later I began to experience bizarre ear symptoms. I would hear a loud rushing noise in my left ear, feel a little stuffy, and gradually developed feelings of pressure and soreness in the ear or jaw joint region. This also occurred intermittently and I visited an ENT who said my ears looked ok.

I eventually went to a dentist who took radiographs and showed me a long standing infection in a tooth on the upper jaw, a premolar next to the incisor. Not only was the tooth infected, on the xray it appeared that a region of bone above the tooth was also infected.

The dentist performed a root canal on the tooth and I have to go back for 2 more visits to complete the process. The 3rd visit will be for the crown or perm filling. I was not given any antibiotics.

I am now concerned if the infection in the bone will clear without antibiotics, I am still experiencing intermittent ear symptoms 3 days after the 1st root canal treatment. What would you advise me to do? Is it possible the infection has also spread to soft tissue parts and will that be visible on an xray?

Thank you, please help me...I am so confused with this.
Trex

Hi Trex,

From what you have stated, the infection has already spread to the bone which is not good but it is typical of an infected tooth. It is possible that the bacteria has traveled further and gone into the sinus. The root canal is not going to "cure" the infection in the tooth or the bone. It is simply going to give you an opportunity to "retain" an infected tooth until you decide to remove it due to the spread of infection. The most significant issue associated with infected teeth, especially in the upper jaw, is the risk of the bacteria traveling to the brain. Most people do not know that the brain is only about 4 inches from the roots of our upper teeth. Dentists usually neglect to inform their patients of this fact.

Infection does not always show up real clear on a 2 dimensional dental xray until the infection is widespread. So at this stage or from the angle of the xray, the infection may or may not appear to be in the sinus.

Perhaps you should discuss replacement options with your dentist before you go any further with the root canal and crown as the cost of these procedures may not be refundable when the tooth is removed.

Keep us posted..
Bryanna

I had a relatively similar experience.....starting with a dentist having too many difficulties and problems with a crown, which led to tooth pain and a bit of ear pain. Everyone thought I had an infection. With each dental procedure following, the mouth and ear pain worsened. Ear pain CAN very well be a sign of nerve pain. Now, I have 24/7 severe, over the top nerve pain. When I visit nerve pain sites, I am appalled how many people there start their posts with these words or something like it "After having a tooth extraction, the next thing I knew I had permanent nerve pain in my (fill in the blank) mouth, cheek, head, nose, ear....etc. Of course, with dentistry, infection prevention and care is of utmost concern, but so is prevention and consideration of permanent nerve pain...something that many dentists don't seem to wish to discuss. Be very careful and if a dentist refuses to answer your questions, consider reporting him or her and getting a second opinion.