Is my tooth infected? If so is it spreading?
 

Ok, so in march I had a tooth filling, a few days later it fell out. Not knowing much about teeth I didn't think much of it. My tooth was sensitive to hot/cold liquids and hurt when I chew hard foods. I began having headaches off and on a few days a week. In May, I suffered a concussion. So I took it easy for a couple of months. I feel as if the concussion is Healed or close to it, as my thinking is back to 100%. But I still have headaches. But there now located in the forehead, temples, and around the ears. As initially after the concussion the pain was on top of my head. And my tooth is still sensitive and hurting. So I decided to stop putting off the pain as concussion pain, and started looking for another cause. A recent mri showed I have a maxillary sinus infection, which I found out can be caused by a tooth infection. My question is, could all this be my tooth? An if so, did I wait too long? I have recently found out the severity of tooth infections and wish I got it checked out earlier. And am known to be paranoid. Thanks for reading.

Hi Solohardflip,

Yes, the bacteria from a tooth infection can spread to other areas of the mouth, sinus, jaw bone and further. It is not wise to let an infection go on to long because it will become more difficult to treat.

Is the painful tooth in the upper jaw? Do you know which tooth it is? It is common for infected upper teeth to cause problems with the sinuses. If that is the case, then treating the sinus will not cure the infection. The infected tooth needs to be removed in order to "cure" the source of the infection so the sinus can also heal.

It is best to consult with an oral surgeon for the possible removal of this tooth. The OS has more experience and knowledge about infected teeth and can treat the sinus if it is related to the infection much more so than a general dentist.

Try not to worry. The sooner you take care of this tooth and infection the better you will be. This is a common problem and the sooner it is treated the easier it is for you. You will be okay :)

Keep us posted.
Bryanna

Thanks for your response. And yes the problematic tooth is on my upper left side second one to the back (my wisdom teeth are removed) I am going to see the dentist as soon as I can get scheduled this week. I do have a few more questions though. Is it possible for the tooth to be infected and me not have a fever? My parents keep saying it isn't infected because I don't have a fever. But they also didn't think I had a concussion. So I don't think I believe them. Also, I get sporadic sharp pains in my head when I talk, but only sometimes it's random. Could that be from the infection? Or a jaw problem?(the hit that causes the concussion was in the chin) and lastly, even know the filling fell out in march, do you think the infection will still be relatively simple to cure with removal of the tooth? Or did I find out in a late stage? Thanks for your time.

Hi Solohardflip,

I will repost your questions and answer in bold type.

<<Is it possible for the tooth to be infected and me not have a fever?>>

YES, IT IS VERY POSSIBLE. FEVER IS NOT ALWAYS INDICATIVE OF AN INFECTION AND IT IS NOT ALWAYS PRESENT WITH AN INFECTION.
DON'T BLAME YOUR PARENTS...... THEY'RE JUST PEOPLE :))

<<Also, I get sporadic sharp pains in my head when I talk, but only sometimes it's random. Could that be from the infection? >>

SHARP FLEETING PAINS IN THE HEAD CAN MEAN INFLAMMATION OR INFECTION EITHER IN A TOOTH OR THE SINUS AREA.

<<<Or a jaw problem?(the hit that causes the concussion was in the chin)>>

YES THOSE PAINS COULD ALSO BE A JAW PROBLEM. WHEN YOU GET HIT IN THE CHIN IRRELEVANT OF THE ANGLE THE LOWER JAW GETS PUSHED BACK, DOWN, OR SIDEWAYS WHICH COULD SET UP AN INJURY AND/OR AN INFLAMMATORY PROBLEM IN THE TMJ AREA. DID YOU FRACTURE YOUR JAW? WERE YOU CHECKED FOR A FRACTURED JAW? HAVE YOU HAD ANY FOLLOW UP XRAYS OR SUCH? MAY I ASK HOW THE INJURY HAPPENED?

ALSO TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD A FEW CONCUSSIONS PLAYING SPORTS AND A CAR ACCIDENT .... IT IS FAIRLY COMMON TO HAVE FLEETING PAINS IN YOUR HEAD FOR A LONG TIME AFTER WARD.

<<<even know the filling fell out in march, do you think the infection will still be relatively simple to cure with removal of the tooth? Or did I find out in a late stage?>>>

THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO TELL HOW LONG THIS TOOTH HAS BEEN UNWELL. FOR THE FILLING TO FALL OUT SO QUICKLY THE TOOTH MAY HAVE BEEN BADLY BROKEN DOWN AND COULDN'T HOLD THE FILLING AND/OR THERE WAS DECAY STILL PRESENT IN THE TOOTH AND THE FILLING DID NOT GET A GOOD SEAL AND/OR THE FILLING JUST DIDN'T FIT RIGHT. HOPEFULLY REMOVING THE TOOTH AND DEBRIDING THE SOCKET WILL TAKE CARE OF THE INFECTION. IS THIS THE SAME SIDE AS THE SINUS INFECTION?

Bryanna

Well on the MRI both of my sinuses were inflamed (showed up as white) but the left side (the side with the bad tooth) was noticeably worse then the right side. I've been prescribed Flonase by my neurologist for the sinuses. Hasn't really helped much thus far. I've also had a history of sinus problems. As for how the injury happened, I was playing football on the beach, an I was running to tackle my friend, an when I did, his shoulder went into my chin. Like the bottom right of my chin. I was dazed for a few minutes. The concussion symptoms didn't show up until a few days later. As for x-rays and scans. I've had the brain mri, and x-rays of my neck, I think specifically to check mycervical spine. I haven't had any jaw x-rays and haven't had anyone look at it. I guess neither me not the neurologist thought to look into that. But I have been told about tmj disorder and how that could be a problem. Do you think it would be a good idea to get my jaw looked at? I'd like to be able to start differentiating between what is my tooth and what is the concussion. Also, about the filling falling out, I remember when I got it, the dentist said my tooth wasn't bad and it wasn't close to a cavity, I guess it was precautionary? I'm not sure. I've never had any cavities before, as I'm adamant about keeping up with my overall hygiene and health. Thanks again. -jake