i have a tooth in the back on bottom that is rotted and is starting to crack. it doesnt hurt, but how do i know if it gets infected? will there be a lot of pain?? thanks

ron

i have the infection thing going on right now and u will definately know...for it will swell and be extremely painful. should u ever get one go to dentist right away and be put on medication!11111111

I too have a tooth infection as I type, and man does it hurt!
If you get one, you'll know!

If your tooth is cracked, there is a GOOD chance you will get an infection because bacteria can get in through the crack! Mine started because I had a filling that started to fall out, so there was a tiny hole in my tooth for a few days!

Not only does my infected tooth hurt, the entire right side of my mouth is in pain, including other teeth! The infection normally spreads to the bone surrounding the tooth, so to open my mouth even remotely wide, it's very painful!

I'm going to the dentist on Tuesday Dec. 2 to decide on when to pull it and all that!
I am very scared because I've never had a tooth pulled! If I'm asleep, I'm fine with that! I don't want to be awake for it!
I'm mostly afraid because other teeth are hurting and it scares me! Eventhough they are my molars and so on, I'm still sensitive to losing teeth! I like my appearance and this has me quite upset!

As for knowing when you have it, lick the tooth in question. Does it hurt BAD even to gently touch it? Is there a metallic tasting fluid around the area of your mouth? I never knew that was a problem, I probably have more than one infection because I've had that taste for a while but I thought it was something to do with my wisdom teeth coming in! How should I know what it is, right? The metallic tasting fluid is pus which is excreting from the crack or hole, it's coming from the centre (pulp) of the tooth, and it IS NOT pleasant!

Lying down is worse, it hurts soooo bad I can hardly sleep! I'm on some Tylenol 1s now, but there isn't much codeine in them so it's not helping very much! I can't take any other pain medicine (Advil, Ibuprofen, etc.) while taking Codeine so I guess I have to sweat it out!

Good luck, and do a search on TOOTH INFECTION or ABSCESS for more information!

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oh gosh hezza i feel for u being i know how that pain is..the meds actually work really great for the pain. I am on ibuprophen 800 mgs. but have also used vicaden. I have found that those work so much better than codien (sp). And the ibuprophen helps with the swelling also. and thanks for ur post. its starting to feel better but a little swollen still. i am also nervous of the dentist...but unfortunately no matter how good i take care of my teeth i still have problems. Getting the tooth pulled isnt as bad as some think it is...least not for me...it was the shots that hurt me the most. But when ur absessed like that getting the tooth pulled is believe it or not instant relief..the swelling already comes down right away and besides being a new wound there from being pulled its such a relief. well good luck to u and i hope u feel better soon!!!!!