By a USA Dental Health Educator
When Michael, a 42-year-old accountant from Ohio, had his lower molar removed, he expected soreness in his jaw. What he didn't expect was a sharp ache deep inside his ear that began the next morning.
"I thought I had an ear infection," he recalled. "The tooth was gone, so why did my ear hurt more than my mouth?"
His experience is surprisingly common.
Most people believe that once a tooth is removed, the hard part is over. For millions of Americans every year, that is true. The discomfort usually improves within a few days, and the extraction site heals without any major problems.
However, for one woman in the United States, what started as an ordinary tooth extraction nearly became a life-threatening medical emergency.
Her story reminds us why it is important to know the difference between normal healing pain and the warning signs of a serious dental infection.
"I was just enjoying my meal. The beef was tougher than I expected. As I chewed down, I suddenly heard a small crunch. At first I thought it was part of the meat. Then I realized a tiny piece of my own tooth had broken off.
Now I'm anxious.
Did I permanently damage my tooth?
Will I lose it?
Will it become infected?
Should I rush to the dentist today?"
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.
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