Question:
I was wondering if an abcessed tooth or teeth can sort of "launch"
bacteria beyond the tooth itself. For instance, can an untreated
abcessed tooth make gum infections more likely, all else being
equal?
Also, can a tooth be abcessed even when the visible decay
doesn't seem very deep? I guess decay could happen under
an existing filling? Will an X-ray of an uncapped tooth
provide proof one way or another of whether or not it is
abcessed?
Answer:
Generally, each tooth stands by itself. A periapical (around the root)
abscess will not cause another periapical abcess. However ...... an
"untreated" or a chronic periapical abscess will drain or will "point"
through the gums. The former can appear to be a periodontal abscess, or
"around the tooth" infection, or in the latter case, can cause a fistula.
This is known by the lay public as a "gum boil."
In either case, it is nature's little way of helping the body rid itself of
the bacteria.
Also, can a tooth be abcessed even when the visible decay
doesn't seem very deep?
Yep. Unfortunately so. I have drilled many a small cavity that has gone on
to become an abscessed tooth! Of course, the patient thinks "the Doc did
somethin'."
I guess decay could happen under
an existing filling? Will an X-ray of an uncapped tooth
provide proof one way or another of whether or not it is
abcessed?
Go back to your dentist!He did the major job and now he "owes you" to
complete the other stuff. I say he owes you, because in general, the entire
mouth must be considered, and SHOULD be treated when performing dental care.
I know your dentist is a great guy, but you are going to have problems
getting another dedicated dentist after some "cherry picking" has gone on.
In other words, the orchard is not as attractive to the next worker. Either
that or he will want to bulldoze the orchard and put up some tract housing.
I just had heard that infected teeth had been linked to heart problems
and wondered if there were
any other problems that they've been linked to....thought maybe they
could even affect the other teeth.
I think this dentist is going to treat me, he's given me three more
appointments to do fillings, etc. Which
is a whole lot better than the last dentist in this area I went to, who
did a six tooth bridge, a cap, and then
sat there and watched me with a whole mouth of decay and just looked the
other way because it wasn't profitable to do fillings. This dentist was
one who advertised heavily, by the way - I learned my lesson with that!
I am very sure that the main thing on his mind was selling as many
expensive procedures as he could possibly justify selling, for his time.
Any dentist who "doesn't do" fillings is, in my book, not a very
ethical dentist.
