Infected wisdom teeth

[Crunchymum]

Yes teeth, plural.

Both my bottom ones. I get an infection like this every few years.

Going to plead with my Dr to give me some AB tomorrow [not had AB for years so I hope they won't object] but what can I do tonight?

Diclofenic helps but I've had my full amount of it now.

Can't eat, can talk, can barely open my mouth. No abscesses (yet!)

And yes I will sort out getting them removed, did have an appointment booked but got pregnant / baby in NICU etc.

I was going to come on to say Diclofenac! What dose have you had?

When I struggled to open my mouth with the pain, I had an abscess. I would contact the GP.

Cocodimol for the pain and keep rinsing your mouth with salt water to help draw the infection out

Your dentist should still be able to give advice and prescribe antibiotics over the phone.

My dentist hasn't got back to me !!

Diclofenac is slow release 75mg. Took middle of the night and again this afternoon so cant take anymore until about 2am.

Call 111 and see if a doctor will prescribe co-codamol for the pain

I have cocodomal but it doesn't do much for me. Neither does dihydracodiene or Napraxen (I have arthritis and whilst I'm currently well, I have a stash of medication)

Diclofenac was always the one that worked

Ps thanks everyone, sorry my responses are snappy!! I'm just in so much pain.

Are they through or just partially erupted? If they're through, floss them viciously, going as deep under the gum line as you can. Rinse with salt water every few hours and if you can get it, apply Anbesol to the gums. It is antiseptic and also numbs.

Ps, they will bleed when flossed. That's fine.

Oh and if you call them, your GP will prescribe antibiotics as long as you are also seeking dental advice, just explain that you can't get a call back from.your dentist and they are clearly infected. They might be a bit put out but they will prescribe. I've had to do this before when I couldn't get my dentist to give me any.

Thank you.

They are partially erupted, but not impacted or anything.

I have renewed sympathy with teething babies

My dentist is a bit of an odd set up. Its NHS and if you want a check up (existing patients) or it's an emergency (existing and new patients) then you have to go as a walk-in and wait for as long as it takes but you will be seen, they turn away people once they reach capacity.

So every check up I've had has been with a different dentist, if I've needed a follow up I get booked an appt with the dentist who did the check-up.

My kids are all with a much more normal dentist (NHS also) who just book appointments check ups. I was meant to switch to them but I'm still with the weird dentist practice!! So I left a message today but imagine it's a hub of people like me and new patients with emergencies.

Well it's a bit different currently due to covid. I doubt you'll get seen 😬

Oh I dont even mean about getting seen. I mean even getting a call back may take some time.

That's why I'll try GP. They'll know the dentist surgery and set up and hopefully understand why I've come to them?

My sister [same surname and dentist] ended up having to go to GP [different GP's] when she got a gum infection in early lockdown.

I have recurrent infections around my wisdom teeth. It’s hugely tedious!

I’ve found that giving the area a good brush (even though it absolutely canes) frequently and using very salty warm mouth washes and paracetamol can sometimes get me through it without it getting as far as ABs.

Well getting AB is like pulling teeth (excuse the pun)

GP won't prescribe for dental issues, 111 couldn't decide if I needed AB (spoke to a call handler and then a dental nurse) so now they have asked a surgeon to call me back.

I hate to waste resources but its even worse today.

Ah, so sorry. The only thing that worked for me aside from AB was a lot of warm salt water rinses. Towards the evening, one with whisky instead sometimes but that was brutal so salt's gentler, and possibly more effective (though yuckier).

Could possibly try www.babylonhealth.com/
I haven't myself, but have heard good reports from colleagues, especially in instances of repeat illnesses like ear/chest infections where early intervention can head off a longer decline.

Sounds like pericoronitis which hurts like hell. I suffered till I got mine removed and I found the following helps.

Hot as you can bear water with salt and really swish at the area, so this after eating and every half hour.

Do not use heat on the face as it draws infection into the facial tissues. An Ice pack feels nice though,

Colgate fizzy mouthwash helps lift out the trapped debris causing the pain it helped me a lot-it’s calked peroxyl.

Corsodyl medicated mouthwash is also useful, and my dentist recommended Corsodyl Gel. I feel for you, have had dental infections during lockdown, and have had three rounds of antibiotics. I'm now doing a saltwater rinse five times a day, plus two rounds of Corsodyl to keep further infections at bay. A tsp of table salt in a mug of boiling water. Make sure mug very clean. Leave to cool to lukewarm, take large sips and hold over the area for at least 30 seconds, repeat until mug empty. My current infection is not a wisdom tooth but did have them when mine came through, I was told AB essential for wisdom teeth infections as can easily spread and become quite serious. Usually prescribed a 7-day course of Metronizadole alongside Amoxicilin. IME some dentists won't prescribe the Amoxicilin, which stops spreading infections, and make patients get those from a GP. Good luck and be insistent!

Crunchymum call a local NHS practice even if you're not registered there. Explain your dental practice aren't responding to contact and 111 couldn't decide. Lots of practices are advising non-registered patients too.

Finally got someone to prescribe me some AB. Wont get them until Friday though as the prescription has to go to the hospital (they can only prescribe there) and the hospital pharmacy are going to post them.

So annoyed - if my GP dispensed them, I'd have them already. I know there is a good reason my surgery don't deal with dental issues but in the current situation you would hope they'd be flexible?

I cant get to the hospital to collect the script, I wouldn't want anyone to go on my behalf. Surgeon who eventually prescribed was aghast that my surgery have been so unhelpful.

I couldn't get the Peroxyl but I have Corsodyl and I'm dipping an inter dental brush into it periodically and cleaning the teeth. I'm also rinsing with salt water.

You poor thing, Crunchy! I used to get this before I had mine taken out. It was rotten