Suggest remedy for dental problem
Patient: Hi im 20 im 5'8 190 lbs . . . i have been suffering from toothaches on a chipped moler for about 6 months now but have been putting off the dentist due to lack of health insurance , i had consulted a dentist a couple months ago and she told me i had to have a root canal or pull it out but like i said i put it off . . .about 4 days ago i had a toothache come on again in the same spot i always get them in but a little more painful this time .. . i had a tiny small abscess on my gum that went away , i took some penicilin ( still taking ) and 600 mg motrin for the pain ....now the pain is deff gone but yesterday morning i noticed i have some sort of lump or raised area under my jaw like under my sking but under the side where the tooth hurts . .like i said the pain is gone now but i still have like a raised area that does not really hurt but if i open my mouth to wide it aches just a bit . . i have no idea what it could be ? idk if it is related to the tooth infection or something else . . because i am really in no pain at all just the raised area under my jaw line undr my skin . . .  i dont know if it is just swollen or something else i am really worried..pleas help, thanks alot! Doctor: Hello,You describe symptoms of an infection not fully treated and going through different stages. Realize that the source of the infection has not been eliminated since you have not removed or treated the tooth. You may be developing a resistant infection. Infections spread and can cause a generalized swelling or pool into an area with a pocket of pus. This may need to be drained and require additional antibiotic treatment. Lymph nodes can become swollen with dental infections present. Infections flare up and calm down with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, but you risk a more serious ,long term infection being more difficult to control. Stay on the anti-inflammatory medication Motrin. Make an appointment with your dentist before the condition gets worse. Once you treat the tooth, I expect your dental health to improve, since this is most likely related to the abcessed tooth. Consider having a dental exam and cleaning for an overall evaluation of your dental health.I understand your concern with cost and not having dental insurance, but dental conditions untreated tend to get worse. This means additional dental treatment and more costs. Many dental offices offer payment plans or work with health credit cards that offer a payments plans with a period of no interest .Thank you for your inquiry. I hope you seek treatment and feel better soon. Please ask any additional questions and I will be glad to offer assistance.