Do I have an infected tooth?

If my tooth needs a root canal and is infected would they give me antibiotics before doing the procedure?

• Well I have a dentist appointment on the 20th cuz I have a decaying tooth that's almost gone and it's become infected (a bit swollen, sore, throbbing, etc.). I also had a pimple like abscess in my gum but it was small and went away. I do believe ill need a root canal for it but this appointment I'm going to is for a check up to make sure. Anyways my question is, will they prescribe me antibiotics before getting anything done to my teeth?? I have heard that dentists cannot do anything to a persons teeth if that area if infected. Is this true??? I also would like some information in root canals if possible cuz I never had one and it does make me a bit nervous. Is it extremely painful? I don't like the feeling of being numbed and never had the novicane when I got my cavities done so can I just have them do it the same way or would they most likely have to numb me? I guess anything helpful on a root canal would be beneficial. :-). But I would also like to know about them prescribing the antibiotics first to kill the infection before doing anything else with my teeth?? Also my tooth has completely decayed and has broken away. I didn't go to a dentist sooner cuz I have no insurance and they said it would be expensive to get a root canal done. But the tooth back there is almost completely gone. There is less than a quarter of it there so what would the dentists do at that point??? Would they still need to do as much if not more or would it make the root canal easier if I did need one?

• Answer:

  Its true they will not do a root canal while it is abcess or infection is present and you need antibiotics . The dentist should be able to call you in some . Best of luck to you