Expert: Frederick R. Liewehr DDS, MS, FICD - 11/10/2008

Question
PRIORITY:HIGH
Dear DR Liewhr:
I had a filling/cavity done 11/5/08 on the lower anterior teeth #22/23. A day or two after I started to have swollen/painful node(s)in my neck same side. Tonight I noticed/felt a very tiny bump/spot right behind my last upper right molar. Not really on the gum though. More on the soft tissue in that area.Not sure if any of this is related to the nodes? What do you feel may be going on? I'm leaning more towards irritation as far as the bump/spot perhaps from the food I eat? I eat salad's with lemon juice/balsamic vinegar,fresh chopped garlic,oil.Some Potatoe chips...I have several teeth missing also upper/lower. And I find myself biting the insides of my mouth/cheek's soft tissue. Which causes some bumps and minor mouth sores. I try to gargle with warm salt water to help.
I'd "greatly" appreciate any suggestions/insight's/treatment options you feel would be helpful in sorting this out and put my mind at ease. I have heard the term fistula. And that acidic foods can cause them as well as more serious things like absesses.
Sure Hope and Pray you can help.
Sincerely Ralph

Answer
I can't tell you much without seeing you. It is unlikely that you would have swollen neck nodes from anterior teeth, particularly in the absence of other symptoms (pain, swelling, fever, malaise, etc.). Your dentist can pulp-test the teeth to see if they are vital, and that would tell for sure.

As for your other bump, I really can't tell much from what you are telling me. I would need a lot more information from an exam.

"Fistula" or "sinus tract" is a path from inside your bone to the surface to drain pus that has accumulated inside. This would be from an abscess that has developed, and would have nothing to do with what you eat.

Better have your dentist look at you.