Any dentists around?

[TooSadToSay]

I've got an infected periodontal pocket by my upper left incisor. I had a phone triage with my dentist 4 weeks ago, who suggested cleaning it with an interdental brush dipped in corsodyl. I've been cleaning in the pocket regularly and it seemed to be getting better for a week or so, then it plateaued and now it seems to be getting much worse again. I'm being super diligent with water flossing, brushing after meals and rinsing w corsodyl twice a day.

I'm wfh with two small kids and really in distress about this. The gym between my teeth has a large dark red area. It had gone a lighter pink but is now inflamed. Could anyone offer any help, I'm really in despair and struggling to cope with everything.

[TooSadToSay]

Hopeful bump I'd be so grateful for some help or even a handhold

[IdblowJonSnow]

You need to be seen urgently by the sound of it. Do you have a partner who can look after your kids while you go?
In any case call your dentist again.
No I'm not a dentist! Bumping for you.

[littlealexhorne]

Again not a dentist, but you do need to call your dentist again for more advice. As they're limited in what they can do right now I'm assuming they'll prescribe antibiotics, which isn't really ideal in normal circumstances but might at least help you out a bit. Hope things improve for you soon OP

[DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon]

By infected how to you mean? Is it swollen or is there pus discharge?

If its just red thats more inflammation than anything. It could even be trauma

Peroxyl mouthwash is really good, bathe the area in it 4 times a day for 2 minutes at a time. I also always recommend corsodyl gel in these situations, just rub it om the area

You need to clean right to the bottom of the pocket, you are doing the right things but make sure you are getting the interdental brush right to the base to prevent food/plaque build up. It might be you have some calculus there and it just needs a scale by the dentist

Do you have a diagnosis of gum disease? Could you post a picture?

Generally peridontal disease is a long slow process, an inflammed pocket isnt going to cause damage if left for a few months, just clean it the best you can.

[Carpathian2]

It's an old remedy, but warm salt water mouthwashes are the way to go. You can do it hourly if you want to, it won't hurt. If you have a clean syringe, you could try squirting the warm salt water straight into the pocket. Just don't have it too hot!
Your dentist should've given you some metronidazole, can you phone tomorrow and request some?
( dental nurse here)

Hope that helps

[TooSadToSay]

Thanks so much for the help. I'll call tomorrow and ask for an antibiotic. The pic doesn't show things too well, hope it posts.

[TooSadToSay]

I do have a diagnosis of gingivitis, it came on during my pregnancies but it's usually quite under control. Sorry for the awful pic! Glad to hear that it's okay to be left for a while. It was giving shooting pains up into my nose but that's stopped now.

[TooSadToSay]

There's no pus at the moment. At the beginning some blood gunk came out but nothing for 3 weeks or so. It's been bothering me for about 5 weeks now.

[SpillTheTeaa]

Not a dentist but a dental nurse.
Carry on doing what you're doing but you definitely needs antibiotics.
Any pain in your mouth is bloody awful.
Also try gengigel

[DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon]

If theres no pus you dont need antibiotics. I cant actually see anything in that picture of concern.

Your gum between your incisor and your canine looks a little red, and a bit puffy but it looks more traumatic than inflammation.

Keep doing what your doing, Id probably use floss actually rather than interdental brushes as you have healthy gums. Id use peroxyl as I said above.

Your gums generally look really healthy though OP. It maybe you got some food stuck, or it maybe you need a little scale in the area, but theres nothing going on there to worry about!

[TooSadToSay]

Thanks for the reassurance @DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon. It's much appreciated. Sorry the pic is so terrible - there's a definite dark section in real life - more than just irritated red.

I've had a tough few years with some sad things happening and I think my resilience is a bit low. Probably I'm over-reacting.