Gum Boil

[wombat974]

I have a strange boil like looking thing that appeared above my right front tooth in the gum about 3 weeks ago. It isn't painful it is a dark red lump with a white centre. It doesn't hurt though when pressed I can feel pressure on my front tooth. Can you tell me what it is please. I'm terrified of going to the dentist.

[wombat974]

Thank you for your help. I have been waiting 6 months to see a specialist Dentist in our area who does Conscious Sedation. I was referred by my own Dentist but this was the first available appointment (not for the boil for a hole in one of my back teeth) Anyway was seen today and I need the tooth with the gum infection to be removed. The Dentist thinks I have had an accident years ago that has damaged the tooth. I do not remember any damage being done to my teeth but there we go. Visually no damage can be seen on the tooth it's all in the gum. Thanks again.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

If you haven't been to a dentist in awhile due to your fear, it is most likely a bad cavity.  The bacteria has probably gotten deep inside the tooth and has travelled into the jaw bone and out of the gums.  The tooth probably needs a root canal or possible extraction.

It would be best to see a dentist right away and this can get worse and actually be life threatening.  I encourage you to at least see a dentist to get a proper check up to see what exactly is going on.  No treatment may be needed that day.  He/she may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication initially.  Your doctor may provide some laughing gas or prescription medications to help relax you prior to treatment.  There are also dentists who actually put people to sleep and perform dentistry that way.  

But the most important thing is to get it checked out as soon as possible.  Finding a good dentist that you are comfortable with is most important.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Ya, sometimes if there's no decay on the tooth but its infected, trauma is the usual suspect.  You may have bitten something on it to cause a crack down the tooth or it may be something wrong with the bite and that particular tooth that cause constant forces on it to cause it to die.

Glad you got the proper help though.  Best of wishes.