Hi,

Last year I went to see a Maxillo Facial surgeon after my dentist referred me regarding the possibility of three impacted wisdom teeth. As it turned out, only my lower left tooth is impacted, and was told that since it's causing me no pain whatsoever, it wasn't necessary for me to have it removed since it is rather close to a nerve.

Since then, I've had no problems with that or my upper two teeth (other than 'teething' problems when they broke through the skin), despite my dentist telling me it was unlikely they would come through.

However, I have recently been having problems with my lower right tooth. It's partially errupted, and recently the gum is slightly tender and I get a strange taste in my mouth. Various websites have told me different things (i.e, it's a cyst, impacted, or gum infection). It's not too painful, except when I eat something sharp and catch it.

I'm worried about going back to my dentist, since I'm frightened he'll tell me I'll have to have it removed, and I had a bad experience when he removed four of my adult teeth prior to orthodontic treatment (he didn't give me enough anaesthetic). Is this simply a case of gum disease, and if so, can I treat it with an antibacterial mouthwash like Corsodyl?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Helen Antcliffe (19).

If this dentist is the same one who has casued you trouble in the past, regardless of the problems right now, I'd look for another dentist! Or just call the oral surgeon that you went to before, he might be able to help!