Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 4/17/2005

Question
Hi, I chipped one of my back molars in janurary, and i didn't go to the dentist or anything-- sepcifically due to insurance problems. However, this past week, the gum area above this molar has be hurting. If i smile really hard, then it hurts, but sometimes it doesn't hurt as long as i don't touch that gum area. In addition...I can feel a bump present in between the side of my cheek, and that gum area above my chipped molar. I was hoping that you could somewhat tell me what is wrong--but i know thats not always possible since you haven't seen it--but I was hoping that you could at least tell me what you think. =] thank you!

p.s.-- In addition, after getting the pains in my mouth, I had a sore throat, ear infections, and a possible eye infection. Could this be connected to the pains in my gum?

Answer
Dear Julie,

You're right-- attempting a diagnosis from this distance is speculative at best, and has a low level of reliability. If it's peace of mind you want, an unreliable diagnosis is not likely to be all that comforting. But, since you asked...

Your description is suggestive of an abscess-- a dental infection that may either originate in the gum or the pulp. The "chip" in the tooth to which you refer may indicate damage to the tooth structure from decay, which may favor the pulp as a source of any abscess. Assuming this is the case, the tooth may require root canal treatment-- if the tooth is otherwise salvageable. As for the other complaints of throat, ear, and eye symptoms, these are probably unrelated to your dental problem.

Any unexplained swelling in the mouth is sufficient justification for a visit to your dentist, which is what your next move should be in resolving the problem.

Hope this helps...

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY