N
NicoleT
Junior member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2025
- Messages
- 2
- Location
- United States
Hiya! I’m in my late twenties, haven’t been to the dentist since I was a young teen for braces that I, unsurprisingly, did not take care of after— so it basically looks like I’ve never had dental work at all. Absolutely terrified of the dentist despite having experience.
While not formally diagnosed, I know I have some form of chronic anxiety/stress that can be quite debilitating, and it is especially strong when it comes to health (including dental health). My mom passed away three years ago and that has made my dental hygiene even worse than it already was— just before her death I was starting to take better care of it but things went downhill super fast.
All that to say— around three years ago funnily enough— I had a severe toothache in what I suspect to be my wisdom tooth (literally the tooth furthest back in my mouth). Some days it was absolutely terrible, and I’d be writhing for a good few hours, but they always went away with a painkiller. I never experienced swelling or fever, so I didn’t exactly think much of it other than ‘well ouch.’ My parents didn’t suspect anything either so I moved on. The toothache eventually never came back— I now know that the tooth died.
Occasionally, because I didn’t exactly look or mind (again, poor dental hygiene and being VERY anxious about my mouth in general), I would sometimes brush over little boils on that particular spot on my gum that would pop and leak what I think I now know was pus. They came and went, taste awful for a day, but I didn’t mind much since. At this point I was severely active to try and keep my depression at bay following my mom’s passing.
Cut to now, starting with chipping a few months ago, the tooth has now broken clean in half with the gum exposed (definitely a dead tooth). I know for an absolute certainty that it needs to get out, but here comes my chronic HA driving me to try and piece together what was happening via Dr. Google, and oh boy.
After doomscrolling for several hours yesterday, you can imagine what I’m worried about now. I know spread of infection is addressed in the FAQ so I’ll refrain from bringing up the specifics, but here’s what is bothering me: if this was indeed an unaddressed abscess or a cavity that eventually led to abscess, I haven’t had antibiotics in this entire timespan! But at the same, I haven’t had any culminating symptoms? I know I shouldn’t rely on pain because the damage to that tooth was done a long time ago apparently, but no chills, swelling, fever, confusion, vomiting (other than my usual brain fog that I normally have due to stress). I do seem to get more frequent headaches but none have lasted longer or persisted than a day or two (without painkillers, with painkillers it’d go immediately).
Note: I am expecting to get this treated within the next four weeks. Will finally be in a financial position to address it.
Q: What do you make of my situation? Every other corner of the Internet insists this is an emergency “GO NOW”, and I agree— but I’m not sure if I need to be more urgent or if I’ve possibly drained any acute infection without knowing? This is what’s worrying me the most I guess, having multiple issues sprouting because of this darn tooth that is going to get me all at once. I’ve read many stories here with similar situations, but many of the posters DID end up getting antibiotics at some point which I haven’t.
Any reassurance/guidance is appreciated. Thank you so much for your grounded experience, it has been a calm in my storm.
While not formally diagnosed, I know I have some form of chronic anxiety/stress that can be quite debilitating, and it is especially strong when it comes to health (including dental health). My mom passed away three years ago and that has made my dental hygiene even worse than it already was— just before her death I was starting to take better care of it but things went downhill super fast.
All that to say— around three years ago funnily enough— I had a severe toothache in what I suspect to be my wisdom tooth (literally the tooth furthest back in my mouth). Some days it was absolutely terrible, and I’d be writhing for a good few hours, but they always went away with a painkiller. I never experienced swelling or fever, so I didn’t exactly think much of it other than ‘well ouch.’ My parents didn’t suspect anything either so I moved on. The toothache eventually never came back— I now know that the tooth died.
Occasionally, because I didn’t exactly look or mind (again, poor dental hygiene and being VERY anxious about my mouth in general), I would sometimes brush over little boils on that particular spot on my gum that would pop and leak what I think I now know was pus. They came and went, taste awful for a day, but I didn’t mind much since. At this point I was severely active to try and keep my depression at bay following my mom’s passing.
Cut to now, starting with chipping a few months ago, the tooth has now broken clean in half with the gum exposed (definitely a dead tooth). I know for an absolute certainty that it needs to get out, but here comes my chronic HA driving me to try and piece together what was happening via Dr. Google, and oh boy.
After doomscrolling for several hours yesterday, you can imagine what I’m worried about now. I know spread of infection is addressed in the FAQ so I’ll refrain from bringing up the specifics, but here’s what is bothering me: if this was indeed an unaddressed abscess or a cavity that eventually led to abscess, I haven’t had antibiotics in this entire timespan! But at the same, I haven’t had any culminating symptoms? I know I shouldn’t rely on pain because the damage to that tooth was done a long time ago apparently, but no chills, swelling, fever, confusion, vomiting (other than my usual brain fog that I normally have due to stress). I do seem to get more frequent headaches but none have lasted longer or persisted than a day or two (without painkillers, with painkillers it’d go immediately).
Note: I am expecting to get this treated within the next four weeks. Will finally be in a financial position to address it.
Q: What do you make of my situation? Every other corner of the Internet insists this is an emergency “GO NOW”, and I agree— but I’m not sure if I need to be more urgent or if I’ve possibly drained any acute infection without knowing? This is what’s worrying me the most I guess, having multiple issues sprouting because of this darn tooth that is going to get me all at once. I’ve read many stories here with similar situations, but many of the posters DID end up getting antibiotics at some point which I haven’t.
Any reassurance/guidance is appreciated. Thank you so much for your grounded experience, it has been a calm in my storm.
