Yeow! Infrequent tooth 'zap' with gargling

Hi there,

Twice, upon gargling with a hydrogen peroxide mouth wash (Colgate): a single, lower molar (mercury filling) suddenly feels zapped. Exactly like that of accidentally having a piece of tinfoil touching the mercury filling.
Instantly, of course the mouthwash is expelled and I quickly rinsed out my mouth with water. The pain went away nearly just as fast as it came on.

I don't recall having any troubles with this tooth, only twice with this mouthwash.
I do have a tender node located under my jaw to that side.

I am wondering if there is a possibility of something going on with that tooth, beings that in reacted in that way? It's been over 9 years that the tooth required any attention.

Thank you for your time.

~Kate

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

Why don't you have an x-ray of the tooth to check it out for any possible decay that might be present.

[mike1105]

probably a leaky filling

[borninquisitive]

Thank you. I have a dental appointment in October and will mention this. Xrays were taken sometime this year and all appeared O.K with those teeth.
I am wondering about the "leaky" filling. Makes sense if no cavity is present-though suspect that will occur next.

Thank you for your time.
~Kate

[mike1105]

you can't always diagnose a leaky filling from an xray. Most of the time old leaky fillings are seen clinically. amalgams (silver fillings) all begin to corrode after 5 years or so, creating opening (leaks) where the tooth meets the filling on a microscpic (in the beginning) level. as the fillings get older, they corrode and shrink even more, creating larger gaps. this is one reaosn why composite fillings are now the filling of choice. they are actually bonded to the tooth and they do not corrode nearly the same way

[borninquisitive]

Hi Mike,

I'm betting on that you are right. Quite frankly, I am not sure how old the mercury filling is, other than it wasn't filled within these past 9 years.
In one regard, I think the porcelain fillings are nicer (and perhaps healthier)but one good thing I have to say about Mercury...boy, have they lasted!

The ones with porcelain have required more work (more decay). Yet, perhaps it is due to the dentist(?). I live in a remote area and we have only 2 dentists (married and one loves to pull teeth and I avoid him on account of it).
Either Mercury filling is better and if not, then my previous dentists were simply better at filling.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to posts as well. Much appreciated.

~Kate