Over the weekend, I nailed the name of what hit me: gum boil. My gum acted up
again at the upper back on the right side and gave me a fever, chills, and body
aches Friday night. I had to skip jiu-jitsu on Sat and only got well on Sunday
after I pushed my thumb into the swell and squeezed out the pus.
It reminded me of a more serious attack one and a half years ago after which I
swore to better my dental hygiene and to rinse mouth with soda-water recommended
by a friend after reading my post.
Did I practice what I promised myself? Yes but far from enough. I still haven't
seen a dentist and never regularly rinsed. I brush teeth only once a day and
rarely before bed. Some days I even skip brushing.
Gum boils can be serious. According to healthline.com:
A gum boil is an abscess resulting from a bacterial infection. If any
abscess — oral or otherwise — isn’t treated, the infection can spread
through the bones or the bloodstream to other body parts, which can be
life-threatening.
The truth has to be refreshed daily to form a good habit. I can do it.
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