Antibiotics - how long to take effect? Swollen face

[SealSong]

I went to the dentist yesterday after a few days of tooth pain and slightly swollen cheek, I've got a gum infection and was prescribed metronizadole and amoxicillin, started yesterday lunch time and had 2x doses yesterday and so far 2x doses today with a further dose to have shortly.
My cheek has swollen up loads today though, and feels warm, and I don't feel great although that could be due to the antibiotics. I don't think I have a temperature. How long for antibiotics to take effect before I need to be worried and ring 111 or something?
I don't want to ring 111 unless absolutely necessary as I think their default position would probably advise to go to A&E. I'd go to A&E if its really needed but really don't want to unless I have to. I have a fear of catching covid in hospital.

The pain. This is unmanageable. When do you get to a point where you wail in A&E for intravenous painkillers. Worse than childbirth without a doubt

I'm in a similar boat, except I'm only on amoxicillin because I'm pregnant. I'm in agony, I haven't slept all night. I'm exhausted and sore. It's been 20 hours since my first dose and I am praying for relief soon

Oh green
I was literally wailing at 1.30am. I'm not a crier. I'm no wimp. But I literally felt like someone was twisting the root of my tooth and stabbing my whole gum and cheek.
Let's hope today is our day for improvement 🤞

@NotYourHolidayDick

Oh green I was literally wailing at 1.30am. I'm not a crier. I'm no wimp. But I literally felt like someone was twisting the root of my tooth and stabbing my whole gum and cheek. Let's hope today is our day for improvement 🤞

I hope so too, this is worse than my section with DS. At least I got the good hospital painkillers after that. I've been swilling water round my mouth literally constantly because it seems to soothe it a bit, I've drunk litres and litres. Anbesol and clove oil seem to irritate my gums even more.
But the good news is misery love company so at least we're in it together

Can you still open your mouth? My teeth won't open very far- i can barely get a fork into my mouth. So hungry but can't eat! Also doing the water thing.

I'm doing better today I am relieved to say. Face is still puffy but the infection is going I think.
I hope everyone else has improvements today.

I'm not doing too bad today either. Still not as brilliant as I should be after a week of antibiotics and painkillers tho. My partner has bought me Syndol....never heard of it before, but has most definitely numbed the pain a lot

I ended up begging my neighbour to drive me to A&E. They turfed me back out within 20 mins loaded with codeine. This fucking sucks

At least you got codeine, Not.
My dentist wouldn't prescribe anything for the pain which I thought was a bit harsh...or are they not allowed to?

I've not heard of Syndol before, Whywontetc, but they look quite good for an over the counter painkiller.

Glad to hear you're doing better @SealSong and @Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername!
Giving me hope that tomorrow will be a better day! I seem to be ok for now as long as I'm fully dosed in pain relief and not moving AT ALL.

What a great Valentine's Day

How is everyone today? I've had a bit of improvement now 48 hours after my first dose - managed a full nights sleep last night - woke up pain free but brushing my teeth really irritated my gums and hurt severely so I'm sore again now but the pain seems to be manageable with painkillers which is more than I can say for yesterday.

Thankfully atm, I seem to be doing ok. But this this happened yesterday.....had a pain free morning and a diabolical afternoon . Fingers crossed I'm over the worst. Glad you're feeling a bit better today @GreenSlide

I've been taking metronidazole 400mg 3rd day and my face is still swollen. The pains not so bad but there is still some pain. I hate this antibiotic it's the only one that makes me feel like crap.

So glad you managed a night's sleep Green. I managed a good 3 hour chunk of sleep which is more than I've had since Thurs night, so feel a bit better today. Savage pain when I woke up but since 11am I've been comfortable so feel on top of the world

I also bought some mouthwash from the chemist, cheap as chips, about £1.50, and its AMAZING. Chlorhexadine. Will numb your gums a bit.

Oh interesting that you can get cheap chlorhexadine mouthwash, Not. It's the same ingredient as Corsodyl which is around a fiver. Just be aware that you can get temporary stains on your teeth if you use it for a long while and also drink tea/coffee/red wine.

My gum infection has largely gone and my cheek is going down but still puffy. Teeth still feel sensitive and raw, just got to get on with the dental work now.

I'm sad today. Last night it came back savagely and tried to kill me around 2am I thought I'd turned a corner but obviously not

@NotYourHolidayDick bless you! Can believe you about early hours, have you a dental appointment booked?

I feel your pain @NotYourHolidayDick. I'm still in agony, albeit nowhere near as bad as last week. Thankfully the bastards coming out tomorrow. I sincerely hope you have a better night tonight

@NotYourHolidayDick

I'm sad today. Last night it came back savagely and tried to kill me around 2am I thought I'd turned a corner but obviously not

Ah no. The healing doesn't seem to be progressive in the same way other illnesses heal and you just gradually get better. This comes in waves of pain and feeling a bit better. Having said that I've had a great improvement today, although my teeth are still sensitive on the bad side and gums still a bit swollen so my teeth aren't lining up properly. Need to make an appointment to see what's happening in there.