question: Hi. I had a molar extracted about a month ago. After the extraction my gums got pretty infected and puss filled the empty socket. I took care of the infection with iodine swabs, the puss went away and the socket began to heal normally. Now, however, the gums beneath the socket and along the next several teeth are very hard and swollen. They are a little tender when poked at, but dont really hurt on their own. Is it still infected, do you think? Will my body take care of it on its own, or is it going to have to be lanced at some point now that there is no open wound? Or is the swelling something else? I really dont have time or money to go back to the dentist, so chances are I will do whatever needs to be done myself.