Dental abscess (Maybe?)

[commandatori]

Back in summer I found a mouth ulcer above a back top molar I had a filling in years ago when I was a young teenager. No pain or anything but I noticed it created a small area of exposed bone (which hasn’t grown). Obviously I phoned the dentist but at the time they weren’t doing any treatments so all they did was look at and x ray it - the dentist said I have an infection in the tooth and need a root canal. They said they would put me on the waiting list and contact me when they were able to do the procedure. I don’t actually know if it is an abscess as it never really presented like one - but the ulcer is still there so 🤷‍♀️ The dentist was not concerned and prescribed me antibiotics but said to only take if it started hurting. It’s been painless the whole time.

After a lot of back and forth I am finally having a telephone consultation on Wednesday with a view to booking the root canal. I just can’t stop stressing that it’s so dangerous to have a tooth infection for this long?! TMI but it doesn’t smell great if I touch it and I’m scared it’s going to lead to sepsis! Is this just bonkers worrying?!

No, I would be quite concerned too if it smells, as that would suggest bacteria. How is your general oral health, any gun disease or cavities? Tooth abscesses can be dangerous and occasionally lead to sepsis, but I wouldn't worry too much. Start taking the antibiotics. Could you consider a private dentist? Most of them are offering treatments, and it would save you the wait. I had a general check up last week, which friends at NHS dentists haven't had.

@MiddleClassMother I definitely couldn’t afford private treatment sadly. All the rest of my teeth and gums are fine and always have been, that’s my only filling as well. It’s just frustrating, such bad timing.

If the rest of your teeth are fine and in good health I wouldn't worry too much, definitely start the antibiotics and see if it clears up, informing your dentist it is still an issue.

There’s no point taking the antibiotics if you aren’t having any pain or significant swelling. The low grade chronic infection will continue to drain and will remain, despite antibiotics, until the source of the infection is removed which can be either root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth.
It sounds like your body is managing the problem well from what you’ve said. Your dentist is happy that this is a chronic issue rather than acute and that it can wait until more nhs dental services resume. Of course there’s no harm in calling your dentist to see whether booking in for root canal is now possible, assuming you’d prefer that option rather than extraction of the tooth and I’d encourage you to call if symptoms change and you start to have pain or swelling.
Hope this helps to alleviate anxiety to some extent.

@Powerfulpam thanks so much for your reassuring comment! I will definitely be asking my dentist about booking in ASAP when I have my phone consultation on Wednesday. I’d rather have that than an extraction as my dentist said it’s a tooth that’s quite crucial for chewing even if you wouldn’t really notice it visually. It’s just such crap timing - never had an issue with my teeth be picked up before and now this, that’ll teach me for slipping with my check ups over the last few months before lockdown! All of what you have said rings true with what the dentist said. Thank you!

Well - no issues since I had my braces off at 16 anyway!