Mine had to come out.
Ask your dentist as they have seen the x-ray and know you.
She/He may say you will be OK for a while but personally I'd want to get mine sorted.
Here's some info from the Mayo Clinic which I think is always reliable:
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/symptoms-causes/syc-20350901?hl=en-GB
I also just looked up (with Gemini) about untreated abscesses and this is what it said (below) - obviously some of these are quite extreme!
Leaving a tooth abscess untreated can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications as the infection can spread to other parts of the body. Here are some of the serious complications that can arise:
Local Spread:
* Spread to surrounding soft tissues (Cellulitis): The infection can spread to the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the face and neck, causing redness, swelling, pain, and warmth. Facial cellulitis can become severe and even lead to sepsis.
* Ludwig's Angina (Submandibular Space Infection): This is a severe and rapidly progressing infection of the floor of the mouth, under the tongue, and in the neck. The swelling can obstruct the airway, making breathing extremely difficult and potentially fatal. This is a medical emergency.
* Parapharyngeal Abscess: An abscess that forms in the space at the back of the mouth, near the throat. This can cause severe sore throat, fever, and neck swelling, and can also compromise the airway.
* Osteomyelitis: The infection can spread to the jawbone, causing a serious bone infection that is difficult to treat and can lead to bone loss.
* Sinusitis: If the abscess is in an upper tooth, the infection can spread to the maxillary sinus, causing a sinus infection.
Systemic Spread (through the bloodstream):
* Sepsis (Blood Poisoning): This is a life-threatening condition where the body has an overwhelming and toxic response to an infection. It can lead to organ damage, shock, and death. Signs of sepsis include fever, chills, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion, and red streaks on the skin.
* Endocarditis: In rare cases, bacteria from a tooth abscess can travel through the bloodstream to the heart and infect the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. This can cause serious heart damage.
* Brain Abscess: Although rare, the infection can spread to the brain, forming a brain abscess, which is a collection of pus in the brain. This can cause severe neurological symptoms, including headache, fever, confusion, seizures, and even coma.
* Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: This is a very rare but serious condition where a blood clot forms in the cavernous sinus, a large vein at the base of the brain, due to the spread of infection. It can cause severe headache, eye pain, swelling around the eyes, vision problems, and neurological deficits.
* Pneumonia: In very rare cases, the infection could potentially spread to the lungs, leading to pneumonia.
Other Complications:
* Difficulty breathing or swallowing: Swelling from the infection, especially in the neck or floor of the mouth, can obstruct the airway or make swallowing very painful and difficult. This requires immediate medical attention.
* Dehydration: Difficulty swallowing due to pain can lead to dehydration.
* Weakening of the immune system: A persistent infection can put a strain on the immune system, making the body more susceptible to other infections.
* Tooth loss: The abscess itself and the resulting bone loss can lead to the loss of the affected tooth.
It is crucial to seek immediate dental or medical attention if you suspect you have a tooth abscess or if you experience any of the serious symptoms mentioned above. Prompt treatment can prevent these dangerous complications and save your life.
