Hi,

I had a niggling uncomfortable pain on the left hand side of my mouth and so went to the dentist before christmas as wanted to make sure everything was ok for the holidays - however dentist said there was nothing he could see and that it was probably just gum sensitivity. He said that the problem was beneath the gum and that he couldn't see it, but he looked at x-rays i had done a year ago and said that there didn't seem to be anything wrong!!!

Anyway the next day a lump appeared right at the back of my jaw on the gum, and then a day later something broke through, which feels like a tooth. I had explained to the dentist that the pain i was experiencing felt like i was teething.

Basically about 4 years ago i had two wisdom teeth out from my bottom jaw (i only had three) and they left the top one in (where the pain is now) as it was pointing back up into my head with the root facing downwards, so they felt that it was unlikely that it would ever come down and so unneccessary that i get put through the pain of them digging it out. is it possible that it has actually moved down and is now trying to break through the gum? could it have turned itself around, or is it coming root down?

i would like to know how problematic this could be, as i have tried to make an appointment and my dentist is not back until the 10th January and most others are not back until after the New Year holiday, but there are emergency numbers i could call and speak to the dentist on.

please any advice would be great as i am really irritated by the pain, but don't want to contact the dentist if it is something which can wait.

Thanks for any responses.

First of all if something was bothering you at that particular area why didn't they take a new x-ray? An x-ray that is a year old is not good to look at when something is bothering you now. That problem you are feeling could very well be your wisdom teeth. But if it's impacted like you described I dont think the root will likely turn around. If you can handle the discomfort, wait til he opens back up after the holidays and make an appt.

lizzie, if you have emergency numbers available to call, speak to the dentist on duty and describe your situation. He/she will advise you as to whether you need to be seen immediately and x-rayed, or whether you should just take some tylenol untill your regular dentist returns from vacation. Palter