Can a tooth/gum abscess get re-infected?

Question

So basically I got a swollen lump behind one of my front bottom teeth last December which was infected and spread to the rest of my mouth/jaw causing me the most pain I've ever felt before.
I went and got it looked at and the Dentist gave me some antibiotics and some Perio Rx mouthwash to gargle with alternating with warm salt water. I went back for a check up a few days later still with pain and the Dentist took this pointy utensil and drained the "puss" in the gum infection and I haven't had any problems since then. I didn't go back ::pops hand:: after the pain/symptoms went away but more so recently I was curious to know if the infection could come back or do more damage since I didn't get it fully treated? I still have a small lump that feels a lil swollen but isn't puss filled or painful at all so I was just curious if any of you could shead some light on this dilemma. Thanks

Answer 1

Hi BadKitty,

You really need to go back to the dentist and get this taken care of.It sounds like you have a fistula and that will never heal on it's own.The fistula is the result of an abscessed tooth.The abscess is a infection that first forms around the apex or tip of the root. If left untreated the infection will begin to erode the bone around the tooth. You are most likely going to need a root canal on that tooth.

Answer 2

There is a chance this is not a gum abscess it may be an abscess at the root of a nearby tooth. If its a true gum abscess then you may have food lodged between gum and tooth that may have to be removed. It is very important ( more so when pregnant) to get this taken care of. The infection can effect the health of your child. You may be able to get an extraction of the tooth covered under medical insurance. In many areas there are free or low cost dental clinics you may go to as well. I wish you luck and these do not clear up on their own. The pain may go away if the abscess is able to drain but the infection and health risk is still there.

Answer 3

A tooth abscess is caused by the dead nerve tissue becoming infected, puss builds up at the base of the root causing much pain, then it comes to a head and drains into your mouth. Until the source of the infection is treated the abscess will return. The dead nerve tissue in the tooth is the source. So you need to either have the nerve tissue removed by having a root canal therapy or remove the tooth. Every time an abscess build up the pus will destroy a little more of the bone tissue in your jaw, so advise you to seek treatment as soon as possible. There is also a slim chance you could develop septicaemia which means infection in your bloodstream, this is fatal without urgent treatment.

Answer 4

Yes, and it is very very very dangerous to have an infection that close to your brain. Did you not read about the 12 year old boy who died of a tooth infection recently?

Answer 5

Did he check the tooth to see if the nerve was dead? If the nerve is dead you either have to have it pulled or a Root canal. You can still have no symptoms or pain and still have a big problem. This can spread to your brain and other regions. It can cause death.

Answer 6

of course it can come back, and probably come back resistant to treatment too. That is why professionals are constantly telling their patients to stay the course. Most don't learn their lessons tho until it is sadly too late to do much about it, and they end up being ill for a long time and having ongoing problems the rest of their lives.

Answer 7

sounds like the infection could come back unless you brush your teeth after everything you eat or at least 3 times a day and use a soft toothbrush so you wont make the sore area bleed ok