Spot above tooth

Hi all,

Firstly - thank you for any help with this question I appreciate people taking the time to even read it.

Basically I'm a 25 year old male and recently I had pain in a tooth which made it sore to touch and brush. However, that pain essentially went away and then a white spot appeared above the tooth. I've tried mouthwash and brushing etc. but it hasn't disappeared after 2 weeks. I still get the odd bout of pain but it's very mild and usually I don't notice it.

I was just wondering whether anyone had had this before? I am pretty certain it's nothing to be concerned about but given all these horror stories about oral cancer I figured if isn't gone in a week I'd have to go see the dentist, but I wanted to see if anyone had had any similar experience.

Thanks very much for any input.

[Gellia]

Hi,
The problem with a pain in the gum above a tooth is that it usually indicates an infection.  The pain may go away, but the infection really doesn't.  Bacteria in there form and push the gumline away from the tooth surface.  More bacteria gets in and eventually it starts to work on the bone holding the tooth itself.  

Been there, and did exactly that.  

I thought an infection I had, just like yours, had gone away.  Then I hit a pane glass door and the tooth really started to hurt.  I eventually wound up loosing the four front teeth because the infection had been silently working on the bone structure.

If it's an infection, you really should go to the dentist and have it checked.  I wish I had.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
My best to you,
Gellia

[toothfairy1215]

the white spot on your gum is a fistula meaning the tooth is dead, you need to see a Dentist as soon as possible. It is always best to save the tooth if possible. You will most likely need a root canal, and a crown.

[toothfairy1215]

I am sorry I will explain---- when a tooth is pressure sensitive it is infected, its like a sore on your body when you touch it it hurts. when you touch that tooth it has an infection at the root and it is sitting in a pocket of pus, and causes it to be sensitive to touch, hot, and cold. the tooth is abcessed the fistula may pop. it usually looks like a pimple. hope this helps and I didnt confuse you.

[AdamB28]

Hi Gellia and toothfairy1215,

Firstly thank you both for your answers - it's very kind of you to take the time and both reply and appreciate it.

The little spot did look like a little pimple with a head. Actually, I did suspect it was an infection - the tooth in question I used to grind when I was very young and so I guess it was susceptible to infection. I'll get to a dentist early next to sort this out.

Thank you both once again,
Adam