Dentist won't prescribe antibiotics...

[kooll]

I am prone to gum infections and get them quite often.
Last November I was having pain in my gums,sore constant throbbing.
They did a x ray on my teeth and found no cavities or sign of decay etc
So she said it sounds like gum issues and prescribed amoxicillin.
Within 4 days the pain went away and has been fine since.
The last few days it's been sore again and today really painful (exactly the same pain ) so today I rang dentist.
The next available appointment is July and the next available emergency appointment is June 16th (sit and wait from 2pm)
So I explained the situation and said it's the gums again and asked if the dentist would prescribe the amoxicillin again.
She said no not without looking (even tho during covid all they were doing was giving antibiotics without consultation)
Rang 111 and the only place nearby who they refer me to is my dentist and like I say. Have to wait till June 16th
When I will go and they will just give me antibiotics anyway.
I'm not sure how I will manage in pain like this till June 16th
I'm not being over dramatic but this is a bit silly isn't it?
Especially as it's on my records about previous gum issues

Any suggestions ?

might your GP help in the interim? Alternately salt water rinse a few times a day.

I'd get a Dr's appointment if I were you or keep at your dentist every day about your pain.

Try your doctor, say you can't get in to see dentist. I've had antibiotics from a gp for dental issues before as a quick fix until I saw the dentist, not ideal but you can't go that long with an infection

GPs aren’t trained in dentistry and are already insanely overworked.
i think your dentist is right not to prescribe antibiotics over the phone - antibiotic resisted a very serious problem.
Can you try Corsodyl mouthwash and paracetamol? Keep ringing the dentist to see if any earlier slots up.
Oh and make sure never to vote Conservative as they have run NHS and dentistry into the ground.

I know that our dentist won't prescribe without seeing the patient. That has got stricter in the past few months. I was told it's not the dentist making the decision, but is a new rule from higher up.

My gums got sore recently but it settled down with really good brushing and flossing and use of mouthwash so that might help you too.

GPs are not trained/ licensed or paid to cover dental work. If your dentist won’t prescribe why should your GP? Sorry it sucks, but please don’t bother the Gp with this.

Get some chlorhexadine mouthwash and use that a few times a day.

I've tried paracetamol/ibuprofen/salt mouthwash /corsodyl mouthwash
It's all well and good saying not to bother GP with this but when you have constant toothache /painkillers not touching it
What do you do ? Just wait 3 weeks not sleeping
I'm going away on Thursday too

I use an online GP service and have had antibiotics twice. Once for UTI, once for infected bite.
They send the prescription to your pharmacy and you pay for it there.
It's around £15 for the online consultation and about £10 to buy the antibiotics at the pharmacy.
They cover dental absess etc and will send the prescription straight away.

i-gp.uk/diagnosis

Superdrug online GP. For £25 you get a pretty much instant appointment. I used it when I knew I needed antibiotics for a recurring infection and it was Saturday and I couldn’t face waiting. Really helpful - booked appointment at 8 am had collected the prescription from my local Superdrug by 11.

ignore the "don't bother the GP' types. sounds like a serious medical issue that needs attention. It's not our fault the tories have razed all services. Use them as you need to.

When you do your teeth, do you do your gums as well, with the little brushes?

I've had antibiotics from my gp for a mouth absesss, speak to your surgery.

The online GPs sound like a good option OP. I get gum problems, and the thing that helps me is corsodyl mouthwash held/swished over the infected areas for at least 2 mins 3 x daily, and tepe brushes dipped in corsodyl (or use corsodyl gel) a couple of times a day. I've shifted a couple of infections that way. Hope you manage to get antibiotics soon

It is a serious medical issue, but for dentists to resolve, not doctors. Doctors are not trained to deal with dental issues.

friends in Kent have used Dentaline, is there something similar in your area?

dentaline?

if not, I would use pester power and/or speak to the dentist practice manager.

Yes it is ridiculous that you have to wait 3 weeks for an emergency appt. The clues in the name. Dental infections can turn nasty and shouldn't be left for weeks at a time.

Unfortunately we don't have enough dentists.

I think your only option is to try your GP. I've her. Refused once and been prescribed once by a GP for dental issues do is v hit and miss. If not it's the private options details above.

More and more people are having to go private because if inadequate services/waiting times. It's private healthcare by stealth.

Metronazole is OTC here. I always bring shitloads over for friends and family. Its an antimicrobial not an antibiotic and sadly its high demand

What time does the practice open tomorrow OP?
You ring the minute they open and say you've got severe pain which isn't controlled by 4 hourly alternated paracetamol and ibuprofen. You say it's disturbing your sleep.
Emergencies are seen on the day/ every day in dental practice, often sit & wait, but the patients have always rung up first thing and have either pain as described above or swelling or trauma or bleeding. They're also registered patients too.

Metronidazole is an antibiotic !

As a GP I can tell you for free that GPs are neither trained nor indemnified to treat dental issues. You wouldn't want a plumber doing your house rewire - and you don't want someone unqualified treating a dental issue. Your GP may be able to prescribe pain relief at a push, but should not give you antibiotics (unless they happen to be dual-qualified as a dentist!). This is an urgent dental issue. You need to keep ringing your dentist, or attend an emergency dental service (we have one local to me which sees lots of patients face to face - I know someone who works there).

If it's impacting on your sleep then salt washes and cordosyl aren't going to cut it. GP.

Did you try an emergency dental appointment did you say? There's a local nhs number you can call, or there used to be. I think this counts as emergency, being in pain, and have known people who receive needed antibiotics this way.

I'd bother 111 again and say 3 weeks wait for an emergency dentist isn't good enough