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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I can get rid of this infection without antibiotics, right?

171 replies

PoisonRain · 15/02/2025 19:23

I have a gum infection. Not a tooth abscess, just a bit of gum over a partially impacted wisdom tooth that has become irritated then infected.

I've never had a dental infection before - my dentist gave me metronidazole but I don't want to take it. Everyone I've mentioned it to pulls a face and says it makes you feel dreadful. I've been rinsing frequently with warm salty water, using a cold compress and taking paracetamol - it's unpleasant and I don't feel great, but it's bearable (not like a toothache).

If it's no better in 48 hrs I suppose I'll have to woman-up and brave the drugs, but it's not unreasonable to see if I can clear it myself first is it?

OP posts:
Original poster
PoisonRain · 15/02/2025 19:36

MumChp · 15/02/2025 19:32

Only a doctor can tell you after a consultation. Not MN.

👍

OP posts:
TimeForSpring · 15/02/2025 19:35

If the infection has bothered you enough to seek medical advice, I think you should probably follow the suggestion of the expert.

Original poster
PoisonRain · 15/02/2025 19:35

NewNameBridget · 15/02/2025 19:31

I have an impacted wisdom tooth that gets infected every few years. And each time I am prescribed metronidazole. I've always found taking it fine... no side effects, just knocks the infection on the head. But I don't drink, so I don't have that to consider.

Really? This is the first time for me, dentist said more than another 2 or 3 times and I'll have to have it out at hospital. I'm 52 so it's done pretty well.

I don't drink either.

OP posts:
ClioMuse · 15/02/2025 19:34

But it might not be the worst antibiotic for you...

arcticpandas · 15/02/2025 19:34

I always listen to my doctor/dentist. They know better than I do (and you!) what treatment is needed.

Borborygmus · 15/02/2025 19:34

It doesn't make everybody feel dreadful. I had metronidazole and amoxicillin (at the same time, and the first dose was a double dose) for a dental abscess a while back, and barely noticed I was taking it.

Original poster
PoisonRain · 15/02/2025 19:33

Cantbebotheredwithausername · 15/02/2025 19:29

If you're in good health, I suppose there's a reasonable chance you can clear what sounds like a minor infection without antibiotics, yes. I'd probably try the same in your situation.

If you do start your course of antibiotics, though, you absolutely must stick with it. Otherwise you may end up with an antibiotics-resistant infection, which is way worse. So absolutely no starting and then stopping again.

Yes, I appreciate that - hence nervous to start as I can't stop!

I hate to roll out the usual trope of being emetophobic, but I genuinely am. The more positive stories of taking it with no effects are very helpful, but the background fear is still there. I'm actually having therapy for the contamination OCD that comes hand in hand with emetophobia, and when I mentioned metronidazole to my therapist yesterday she said it was the worst antibiotic she knew of!

Not helpful.

OP posts:
TwinklyRoseTurtle · 15/02/2025 19:32

A dental infection if left untreated has the potential to either travel upwards to your brain or downwards to your heart both causing serious infections that could result in ICU- happens more often than you think, I would take the antibiotics

MumChp · 15/02/2025 19:32

Only a doctor can tell you after a consultation. Not MN.

NewNameBridget · 15/02/2025 19:31

I have an impacted wisdom tooth that gets infected every few years. And each time I am prescribed metronidazole. I've always found taking it fine... no side effects, just knocks the infection on the head. But I don't drink, so I don't have that to consider.

Suzuki76 · 15/02/2025 19:31

Sorry! Sounds scary but basically it means it might spread.

ClioMuse · 15/02/2025 19:31

I feel for you PoisonRain - it must be sore. Are you not feeling well in yourself either?

NotMeNoNo · 15/02/2025 19:31

I had several infections of that type and last week had the wisdom tooth removed. If you have recurrent infection you can get it done on NHS. But then needed antibiotics again because of a post surgery infection. Hopefully that's the last of it! I wouldn't delay as it will just get worse and take longer to clear up.

Cantbebotheredwithausername · 15/02/2025 19:29

If you're in good health, I suppose there's a reasonable chance you can clear what sounds like a minor infection without antibiotics, yes. I'd probably try the same in your situation.

If you do start your course of antibiotics, though, you absolutely must stick with it. Otherwise you may end up with an antibiotics-resistant infection, which is way worse. So absolutely no starting and then stopping again.

Original poster
PoisonRain · 15/02/2025 19:29

I don't mean you're talking bollocks, I mean, oh bugger!

OP posts:
Original poster
PoisonRain · 15/02/2025 19:28

Suzuki76 · 15/02/2025 19:28

If it's bad enough for that particular drug then you are risking necrotising gingivitis.

Oh, bollocks.

OP posts:
Original poster
PoisonRain · 15/02/2025 19:28

ClioMuse · 15/02/2025 19:27

If salty water was thought to work without antibiotics then I think the dentist would have you try that. I used salty water after having my wisdom teeth out but was also prescribed antibiotics.

If it was me, I'd take the antibiotics even though I'm prone to thrush and can wind up sore for a month!

Deffo don't drink on those antibiotics though

Fair point!

OP posts:
Suzuki76 · 15/02/2025 19:28

If it's bad enough for that particular drug then you are risking necrotising gingivitis.

Original poster
PoisonRain · 15/02/2025 19:28

I'm allergic to penicillin 😕

OP posts:
ClioMuse · 15/02/2025 19:27

If salty water was thought to work without antibiotics then I think the dentist would have you try that. I used salty water after having my wisdom teeth out but was also prescribed antibiotics.

If it was me, I'd take the antibiotics even though I'm prone to thrush and can wind up sore for a month!

Deffo don't drink on those antibiotics though

Tiswa · 15/02/2025 19:26

How bad is it - I have had them (fine but you can’t drink) but for a serious skin infection - for similar myself and DD have had penicillin

it isn’t a usual first line antibiotic for tooth infection

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