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What Causes An Abscess On The Right Upper Back Teeth?

Posted on Mon, 27 Feb 2017

Question: I had an abscess on the right upper back teeth , went to the e.r. was given liquid clindamycin 3x a day for 10 days it's been a week my right side is better but now my bad teeth on my left side are acting up not really pain but discomfort and tingling in face lower left side of lip and left ear hurts ... I think it's nerve pain ... no swelling temp was 97.9 in mouth and I have an appointment in four days to have 5 teeth extracted... should I be worried about this weird nerve pain from the left side teeth and I've had the nerve pain before. I don't want the infection to be spreading and the weather has my horrible sinus and allergy problems acting up Idk if that could be causing the problem ... trying not to die before I go get the teeth pulled on Thursday please help... my dentist office told me keep taking the antibiotic the ibuprofen and wait till Tuesday and have the oral surgeon pull them but this nerve pain in my teeth ear and face is uncomfortable and scary

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
tooth infection, neuralgia/bells palsy, medication, root canal treatment

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query. I have gone through your query.
As far as the pain and tingling sensation is concerned I have the following possibilities.
It can be tooth infection (pulpitis or impacted tooth) or a neuralgia/bells palsy The chances of neuralgia is less likely.
You need to consult an oral physician and get it evaluated. We have to rule out any tooth infection and treat that first. If it is because of the tooth infection, nothing to worry. You can continue the same medication which you are presently taking. Once the diagnosis is confirmed we can treat accordingly.

If the diagnosis is confirmed as tooth infection, it can be treated with root canal treatment or extraction. If the diagnosis is confirmed as neuralgia or bells palsy it can be treated with nerve regenerating drugs like vitamin B6 and B12 and carbamazepine. So consult an oral physician and get yourself examined completely and get a radiograph like orthopantomograph done to confirm the diagnosis.
Please describe indetail about your previous nerve problem(which you have mentioned in your query as nerve pain).
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any queries reply me back. take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (19 minutes later)

I consulted with my dentist office they said it's probably not an infection since I'm on the antibiotics and that the rotten teeth had exposed nerves or inflammation that was pressing on nerves in my mouth that's why I was having the nerve tingling and discomfort and I've had that feeling before a few times now in the last couple months on and off because of the decayed teeth on that side. The dentist office said keep taking the antibiotic and take ibuprofen for the inflammation and that the nerve tingling was common and I see the oral surgeon on Tuesday next week to have the 5 bad teeth pulled . I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't in danger of the infection spreading and becoming life threatening .... I have severe anxiety and just need to know if this is something I should be concerned about or go to the e.r or am I going to be ok and can do like the dentist office said and continue my medicine and have the teeth pulled on Tuesday

I have no drooping in my face and it's not severe pain or complete numbness ... just tingling in my face including sinus areas but the ibuprofen did seem to help some

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
orthopantomograph, CBCT, Cntinue the medicines

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your reply.
Nothing to be panic, you can get an Orthopantomograph or CBCT(cone beam computed tomography) to confirm the condition of the infected tooth applying pressure over the nerve. Nthing to worry it's not a life threatening problem. Be calm and don't get tensed. Continue the medicines and directly you can consult your dentist and get it treated.
I hope I have answered your query. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (13 minutes later)

Sorry to ask one more question and bother you , but could the fact that my sinuses are acting up be causing some of the discomfort, considering it's causing pressure around my eyes the back of my head and yes my sinuses acting up does cause the back of my head to hurt and I even get tingling sensations with my sinuses always have and both my ears are congested and there's discomfort behind them as well??? And also since the teeth are broken and decayed badly can they still feel some pain and discomfort after eating or even drinking and not be infected? I mean the 5 teeth I'm having pulled are in horrible condition that's why I'm having them pulled out on Tuesday , I just want to make sure the infection isn't spreading to my brain heart or lungs ... I'm taking the antibiotic and my teeth are not hurting like they were at ALL but still some pressure and discomfort here and there and no swelling and no fever , thank you for your help doctor ...
As I mentioned I have severe anxiety and also ptsd that I'm being treated for so things like this trigger my mental illness to start acting up and I think once that starts I make the situation worse with my fears .... Again thank you for helping me ....

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
be calm, its not a life threatening condition, simple issue.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your reply. No need to ask sorry.
If you have sinus related problem like sinusitis, even that can result in pain in the head and in and around sinus region. If there is an infected tooth in the upper jaw, even that can produce similar symptoms. Nothing to worry, you can consult the dentist and get it treated.
Regarding the tingling sensation, this can also occur secondary to exposure to clod climate. You be calm, do not take tension, there is no life threatening issue. There is no spread of infection, since you have already been started with an antibiotic which is very effective and the infection should subside in 3-5days time.
You come out of tension, you have a simple issue that can be treated. Be bold.
I hope i have answered your query. Take care.

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy