Doctor says I have abscessed tooth, I'm not sure...?!
Question: I have swelling and pain on my jawline by my ear (right in the area of the parotid gland... I thought I maybe had mumps). I have NO pain when I chew, only an aggrivating sensation/tingling/slight pain when I taste food. My teeth do not hurt to touch or chew. I went to the urgent care clinic today, and they said it is an abscessed tooth and I need to see a dentist. How can I have an abscessed tooth without tooth pain? Is it possible it's something else? I have a dentist appointment on 3/10 (after my antibiotics wear off) so they'll be able to determine if it is, but I would like to know what you think/experienced in the meantime. Thanks!
Answers: I have swelling and pain on my jawline by my ear (right in the area of the parotid gland... I thought I maybe had mumps). I have NO pain when I chew, only an aggrivating sensation/tingling/slight pain when I taste food. My teeth do not hurt to touch or chew. I went to the urgent care clinic today, and they said it is an abscessed tooth and I need to see a dentist. How can I have an abscessed tooth without tooth pain? Is it possible it's something else? I have a dentist appointment on 3/10 (after my antibiotics wear off) so they'll be able to determine if it is, but I would like to know what you think/experienced in the meantime. Thanks!
There are two kinds of abscesses... one is an apical abscess... that's the one that needs a root canal, it's when there's an abscess at the apex, or tip of the root. The other is a pericoronal abscess... that's the kind you get when your wisdom teeth start to erupt.. and the only one you can see with the naked eye.
Call your dentist and get in before the 10th so they can take a look/xray... then you'll know for sure what's going on..... but don't stop taking the antibiotics.
:)
**Edited to say that I wonder if you have a 'stone' stuck in your parotid gland? Your wisdom teeth are out, and I think you'd know if you had an apical abscess... Now I'm REALLY curious! :)
I do know that abscessed means infection. I knew someone with an abscessed tooth and he had swelling, leaking some fluid from infection and pain.