A Sudden Gum Abscess

Woke up to a mad toothache in the lower molar. This happened overnight. I thought I crunched something while hauling ropes and weights at the gym. I knew I would have to pop by the dentist, but I thought I'd give it 48 hours to see how the pain developed. In the meantime, I could only rinse the mouth with antiseptic wash, salt rinse, as well use anti-plaque toothpaste. 

When the pain receded the day after, and then almost went off, I knew it was likely a gum abscess. The molar didn't hurt anymore and pain went to the gums. Cold water soothed it without heightened sensitivity. 

At the dental clinic, I was offered anesthetic to ease the pain. I declined. That numbing spray would be sufficient. My pain threshold is rather high. I would rather know the pain so that I can identify it if happens again, or if any nerve damage to the teeth's roots happens. 

My dentist is meticulous and detailed. She cleaned out the gum abscess, checked on the X-ray to see how deep the periodontal recesses go, and she wasn't pleased by the deepening recesses or the loss of bone (on the teeth) from receding gums. Right now, my teeth are fine, and so are their roots and nerves. I've had gingivitis all my life, and now it might have progressed to the beginnings of periodontal disease. 

This was the first time it happened. If I don't want it to reoccur, I'd better watch it. I had slacked off on the flossing in the past month. So food bits got stuck, bacteria ensued, plague happened, and gums got inflamed. NO GOOD. Then biting down on the molar at the gym made it move a little and irritated the gums. Hence that mad toothache. Never ignore a toothache. Always get it checked out within a week, depending on how long you can tahan the pain. Went home with antiseptic gel, and interdental brushes. 

I've tried to keep the teeth super super clean all these years. So the disease is slowed but the gums are still receding. Ugh. I don't really want the whole tedium of having to see a periodontist for a full debridement and collagen shots to stimulate gum growth.