dental health

I have a very, very decayed back tooth, actually it is no longer a tooth as it has decayed until it is broken off and just a huge hole is left. I have neglected having this tooth removed because of my fear of the surgical part of it. For over a year this tooth emits a terrible odor. A couple of months ago, it was so painful that I could not put in my dental appliance. When I pressed on the gum a large amount of pus was forced out and the pain subsided immediately. A friend of my told me that this pus leaking into my mouth can cause an infection that could kill me! I have made an appointment with a dental surgeon to begin the process of taking care of this problem, but it will be until probably the begin of Nov until it will be extracted. I have been brushing the area very good to remove food particles and rinsing with Listerine to try to keep it clean. What should I look out for to know if I am having some kind of crisis ie blocked airway, cardiac infection, infection in the brain..?

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

If the swelling returns, I would worry about it.  As long as the pus is draining out, it'll go the easiest route possible.  If it gets blocked, the pus may spread to other parts of the body and yes, can spread to the brain or down the neck and compress the airway or into the chest cavity.  Are you taking any antibiotics?