I have had a sore throat recently and was evaluated two days ago for what I thought was a possible tooth problem by my dentist. She said I had irritated gums near the tooth but an X ray showed now problem with the tooth. She irrigated an area of the gum with a microbial rinse and suggested that I gargle with warm salt water and use Listerine mouth rinse. I have been doing that but do you think I need to have a throat culture or just follow her recommendation. She thought seed or piece of popcorn could have been caught in the gum that had an open flap. My gums and mouth continue to be sore but it is better when I take ibuprophen.