Bad Infection or worse? - Dental Health Message Board

wessman01 · 07-13-2004, 10:29 AM

I have a tooth which once contained a filling. A few years after the introduction of the filling it fell out, subsequently the rest of the tooth eroded away. A few years later and nothing but a piece of the tooth or its root stem, remain visible peeking out from beneath the gum line. Now to my problem... When the tooth was in its death throes I went through torturous pain and had to eat baby food (when I was able to eat at all). But then.... PEACE!!! The pain subsided, the swelling disappeared, and finally I could eat solids. Everything seemed fine except for occasional bleeding and a foul tasting substance which emanated from the remnants of a once mighty molar. But lately, every once in a while, it will bleed and thump slightly (in the morning it is a little sore when i bite down on it but then goes away) from the site of the tooth and up underneath of my jaw it is slightly sore when pushed from the outside (mid line between the chin and far rear of the jaw). I also have the sensation of food stuck in my throat on that side. I was wondering if its possible that the remnants of the tooth root structure could be acting as a conduit for infection, even though there is no "real" pain. And if possibly any of theses symptoms are possibly related to an underlying infection. And what are the possible consequences if this problem is left untreated. P.S. I know that I need to go see a dentist but I have a SERIOUS phobia of Hospitals/Doctors Offices/Doctors in general. So please don't yell at me...

susieq0726 · 07-13-2004, 10:44 AM

Any time something like this happens, you should see a dentist. I know you are scared, but the result of not going, is far worse than going. Yes - You could have an infection and without treatment, you could be in for more troubles. If your gum gets infected, it could infect the surrounding teeth.
Teeth are weird creatures. Sometimes you feel some pain and then it "goes away". Here's the thing: It doesn't really go away. It sits dorment and then comes back with a vengance. Tooth decay can sometimes take years to come to light. If you experienced some pain from time to time but ignored it, you are in for a big surprise. Not only a big surprise, but BIG dental bills. Preventive measures are the best approach and will cost the less. Of course there is the alternative,,,,do nothing, all your teeth will fall out and you won't have anything to worry about! I hate to sound so negative, but you really shouldn't put this off any longer.
Check around in your area and find a dentist that specializes in treating people that are afraid of the dentist - Yes, they actually do exist and could possibily put you out or heavily sedate you to keep you from getting scared.
It sounds to me that maybe whatever is left of that tooth needs to come out. Good Luck - I'm pulling for ya!

theresainpa · 07-13-2004, 03:57 PM

hi sorry to hear about your tooth i know what you are going through i had my wisdom theeth out yesterday and a my 2 moular on my top left taken out also the moular was my main problem causing my endless amounts of pain my moular did the samething hurt here and there and then on day stuck back hard and never stoped hurting after 3 months i am so glad i faced my fears and had the work done i need to i feel sill for how scared i was and how little pain i am in 2nd day out of surgery. any way you described my moualr the whole structure was gone all food got stuck in the remainder of the tooth and also the gross taste that would come from the tooth and what you are tasting is decay your tooth is decayed and more then likley it is doin the same under the gum line also..please face your fears before the tooth give you prboblems like mine did the pain is horrible and i was infecting my whole body cuzz of teeth my ears,eyes,nose,throat and sleeping all the chances i got to not deal with the pain..

im sure you will get the support you may need to get through your fears on this board here the ppl helped me and i love them for it..if it werent for them i probably would have backed out and still be suffering today..good luck and god bless

wessman01 · 07-15-2004, 04:10 AM

Thank you both for your opinions and concern. I will have to face my fears or live in pain. I will try to get the courage. Thanks again.

lateeth · 07-15-2004, 06:16 AM

I had the same sort of pain under a molar you are describing but the top of my tooth was still there. It ended up i needed a root canal and all the while i waited for the appt to get it done i kept thinking, maybe they are wrong and that is not what i need. But i got the root canal and the swollen painful gum stopped immediately.
In your case since there is no tooth a root canal sounds like it would make no sense but you do need to get that rotting thing out of your mouth. Let me tell you that i felt absolutely nothing when they did the root canal, and next week I am having 6 teeth pulled. Thanks to all the wonderful people on this board, I am expecting no problem there either, maybe some soreness after but that's all. But, if you do have an infection you don't want it to spread and then be in the situation a lot of us are in having lots of teeth pulled because the infection spread to other teeth. All the stories about the dentist are from the old days. Things have really changed a lot but the old horror stories are still there. With the painkillers they have now you don't feel a thing. Actually, i think going to a dentist for a routine cleaning is the only time i ever have pain at the dentist (and even that's not too bad)
Remember, the pain you are having now isn't going away. The fear of the dentist will only be for a short time and then it will be all over and you won't be in pain anymore, except maybe your checkbook will be in pain(lol)