Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD - 2/24/2009

Question
What appeared to be a pimple on my chin, turned out to be an infection in my jaw bone and it was draining from the inside outwards. It left a dimple in my chin. I was not experiencing any tootaches or problems with my teeth. I went to see my dentist he put me on two antibiotics and told me to come back in a week for a root canal. When I went back he took one more xray then determined I needed to see a specialist. Which I did, he performed 3 root canals on my bottom right teeth and then two days later performed one more on my bottom left side. I've been taking antibiotics now since Feb 4th, and I'm still on them. My problem is I am in so much pain and discomfort from the last singel rootcanal I can hardly stand the pain. It has beed 4 days since I had it completed. I called the specialist this morning and all he did was send me out another orund of antibiotics and some pain pills. Told me to go see my regular dentist anyway becasue I have to have a crown put over the root canals. I'm very concerned with this pain it is not only in the tooth it is my entire mouth, the inside of me cheek, my gums my lip even my upper teeth which had nothing done to them.
ONe question isn't 3 weeks a long time to be on antibiotics, should I be concened with the infection traveling throughout my system I'm scared

Answer
Hi Connie,

I'm sorry you're going through all this. Obviously, since I can't examine you I can't help with why you are having pain, but I certainly would continue to try to get help from the specialist...that's his/her job! Maybe your dentist can help. Something is not right. Maybe you need your bite adjusted. If you "clack" your teeth together, does that hurt? If so, a bite adjustment will help.

You don't need to worry about an infection traveling through your whole system. That's pretty much an "old wives' tale". We just don't see that in patients. The bigger concern is how the pain affects your lifestyle and the sooner you get pain free the better.

Please pursue getting help. You need to be seen and the source of your pain diagnosed.

Hope this helps.

Gary Backlund DMD, MSD