Experience Former Clinical Instructor of Comprehensive Dentistry, and Prosthodontic Department New York University School of Dentistry. Also former instructor of Preventive Dentistry Columbia University School of Dentistry.
Education/Credentials 1980 DDS New York University College of Dentistry
1981 GPR Manhattan VA Hospital
Awards and Honors OKU 1980 Honor Society
1980 Long Island Academy of Odontology award for highest combined Academic and Clinical Achievement.
In 1997 he was elected to Fellowship into the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics
Question My left bottom tooth hurts and it started to effect the ones next to it. Three of my teeth hurt. Now my jaw around them hurts as well. I feel like its starting to swell.
Answer It sounds like you have an infection around one of the teeth. There are several likely types of infections.
You may need a root canal on one of your teeth. If the pulp dies inside a tooth then a person develops an endodontic abscess which dissolves the bone around the tooth and cause swelling.
Another possibility is that you have a periodontal abscess, which is an infection in the gums around the tooth which also can dissolve bone. In this case the pulp in the teeth are alive.
A third possibility is that you have a root fracture of one of your teeth. This causes and infection and the cure is to extract the split tooth.
A fourth possibility is you have a failing root canal. You may have a root canal that needs to be retreated.
You need to go to a dentist ASAP. He can take some X-rays and make a diagnosis. (hint: If he places an ice cube on a tooth and it feels no cold sensitivity it most likely has a dead pulp and requires root canal.
Infections around teeth should be treated quickly, since if the dentist treats you with antibiotics and start a root canal , the bone may grow back. If you wait too long you increase the likelihood that you may lose one of your teeth.
I hope I have answered your question and please feel free to contact me in the future with other dental questions.
