<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.I had a root canal started on tooth 4 after feeling like it was abcessing - I was having pain behind my eyes and getting nauseous and shakyweak - but the tooth didnt hurt! The dentist confirmed the tooth was dead no sensation, and then drilled it and cleaned the roots a little. He left a hole filled with cotton to let it drain for 7 days while I wait for the final root canal appt. Is there any danger to having cotton in the hole and draining this way - i.e in bacteria migrating up the cotton filled drainage port? Also, the back of my head is tender where this root is emanating, and my neck is stiff ... and I feel weaktired - how dangerous is it to wait for this procedure? Ive been on antibiotics since having this procedure -still 2 12 days until the final procedure.  <response>: Thanks for your query, I have gone through your query. The cotton kept after the cleaning procedure in a root canal treatment is common. It is done when the canal is not Chat Doctor. In that situation a medicated cotton pellet will be kept for 3-5 days. Nothing to be panic, Complete the course of antibiotics, the infection will come down. The stiffness in the neck is not related to this. I hope my answer will help you, take care. 