Chronic gum infection

[baby_blues486]

I posted a while ago about this, but the problem doesn't seem to be going away. Basically, I have a small spot on my gum that appears every day or so, bursts and then goes away again. There is no pain, no bad taste and no smell (and very little discharge). I went to the dentist a couple of times recently, and the first time she gave me a course of antibiotics, and the second time a deep scale and clean. She has x-rayed the tooth (it had a root canal years ago) and says that the root canal is intact, and that the infection is in a pocket between the tooth and the gum. She advised increased dental hygiene in order to shift the infection, and said that there was nothing else she could do beyond extracting the tooth. Since then I have been beyond meticulous in trying to keep my teeth clean. I used Corsodyl for a month, tried different mouthwashes (all alcohol free), floss daily, brush three times a day, use salt water rinses and have just bought an oral irrigator. This all seems to control the infection a little, but the spot still appears. Obviously, I am very worried about having an infection in my mouth, but am not sure that it requires having my tooth extracted. I am just wondering how long it is safe to leave an infection like this, as I would like to continue trying to shift it myself (as it does seem to be getting a little better), but don't want to risk it spreading. Also, should I consider getting a second opinion on the tooth - admittedly the tooth in question has an extremely large filling and has had to be built up at the back (don't ever get your tongue pierced, by the way, that ruined my teeth!), but reading around the subject online makes me think that there is surgery available that could clean out the gum rather than extract the tooth.

[baby_blues486]

Thought I would update this, just in case anyone else had the same problem! Basically, I went back to my dentist, and we decided to try another round of antibiotics. There was no major change until I had finished the course, and now the spot has gone and everything looks normal. Obviously I am going to keep an eye on it, as the dental pocket will still be there, so there is a high chance of infection creeping in again - am sure that the tooth's days may be numbered, but hopefully I will have it for a little bit longer.

Thanks for the advice - if the infection comes back again, will definitely speak to another dentist before having the tooth yanked!

[mammo]

Your dentist said everything is fine with the tooth so for her to suggest extracting it is crazy!  An infection will not go away on it's own, you need another round of antibiotics.  I would definitely get a second opinion on this!!  An oral surgeon may be able to get in there and see exactly what is going on, because if it was cleaned properly and the antibiotics didn't work you need to look further.  Your dentist sounds like she doesn't know what to do except pull the tooth...but the problem is not in the tooth....it's in the gum! Run to get a second opinion!  Take care!