P
pinhtrahtiotix
Junior member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2011
- Messages
- 4
So basically, I've had a large untreated cavity in one of my bottom molars for nearly 6 years now. I finally have the funds to treat it, and I definitely will get it treated, but I won't be able to go to the dentist until about 3 more weeks (scheduling issues).
It's just, recently I had a wakeup call when I read a bunch of articles about people who died from untreated cavities/dental infections that spread to the brain or heart. Some of these cases led to death after only a few weeks of symptoms!
Is it risky of me to wait 3 more weeks? I haven't experienced any symptoms or pain from this tooth in at least 3 years (I know this isn't really a good thing...)
I did occasionally experience symptoms in the first 3 years along with the cavity getting bigger but in the last 3 years there has been nothing..and the cavity stopped growing in that time as well. (The symptoms in the first few years were typical: swelling of gums and pain, pus draining..although this might have also been from my impacted wisdom teeth, I don't know)
Basically, I don't think there's any immediate emergency, so will it kill me to wait another 3 weeks when it's most convenient before going to the dentist, after all it's already been 6 years so another 3 weeks can't hurt right?
By the way, I have no delusion of saving the tooth. In my case, extraction is the best option not only for the lower cost (as opposed to a root canal..) but because there's a partially erupted wisdom tooth right behind it, which I assume will move in once I get the infected molar extracted?
It's just, recently I had a wakeup call when I read a bunch of articles about people who died from untreated cavities/dental infections that spread to the brain or heart. Some of these cases led to death after only a few weeks of symptoms!
Is it risky of me to wait 3 more weeks? I haven't experienced any symptoms or pain from this tooth in at least 3 years (I know this isn't really a good thing...)
I did occasionally experience symptoms in the first 3 years along with the cavity getting bigger but in the last 3 years there has been nothing..and the cavity stopped growing in that time as well. (The symptoms in the first few years were typical: swelling of gums and pain, pus draining..although this might have also been from my impacted wisdom teeth, I don't know)
Basically, I don't think there's any immediate emergency, so will it kill me to wait another 3 weeks when it's most convenient before going to the dentist, after all it's already been 6 years so another 3 weeks can't hurt right?
By the way, I have no delusion of saving the tooth. In my case, extraction is the best option not only for the lower cost (as opposed to a root canal..) but because there's a partially erupted wisdom tooth right behind it, which I assume will move in once I get the infected molar extracted?