Can I get rid of gum infection without dentist?

[Darkroot]

I’ve woken up this morning with a swollen and sore gum near my wisdom tooth (it’s impacted and decayed, I was supposed to have it out years ago but put it off, the dentist said it was fine as it wasn’t immediately next to any other teeth and to just leave it as it wasn’t causing me any bother 🤷‍♀️)

I’ve taken some ibuprofen for the swelling and have been doing hot salt water rinses

You should be able to get antibiotics in lieu of a dental appointment. I did a private telephone go phone appointment and after promising to go to dentist they gave me a prescription. I had hideous infections which thinned the bone underneath. Not trying to scare you! I had them whipped out and now all good. Shame kept me away to be honest, but dentists have seen it all before.
good luck

Salt water, Corsodyl, soft foods.

Thanks for replying 😊

…how do I know if it’s bad enough to require antibiotics?
I know I should just phone the dentist but they won’t give out antibiotics without an examination and I just don’t have time today (though I will obviously fit it in if I really have to)

Gengigel might help too

Curasept gel is good (I use it daily on interdental brushes)

Be very careul - I had a gum infection from a wisdom tooth, my dentist advised keeping it clean with salt water and Corsodyl. It got worse and turned in to acute necotising gingivitis and I ended up in A&E in the early hours with a temperature of 102.

I got emergency antibiotics but still had to go to the dentist where they proscribed metranidizole - which is a beast of an antibiotic that is reserved for soft tissue infections.

Is it the gum behind your wisdom tooth?

@Ginmonkeyagain 😮 that sounds awful!

@Foxgluv I think so… though the sides of the tooth itself seem a bit inflamed also. Well, what’s left of the tooth.
I feel like I can’t fully close my mouth, I certainly can’t clench my teeth together.
It’s uncomfortable and fairly sore but I definitely wouldn’t say I’m in bad pain so I don’t know if antibiotics are needed?

It was pretty vile and progressed quite quickly. I was warned it could have turned in to sepsis. So please go and see your dentist.

I had that ‘can’t fully close my mouth’ feeling and I had an abscess under my tooth. Please do see a dentist.

Small piece of cotton wool soaked in Listerine or Cordysil wedged right next to the inflamed gum.

There's sometimes a little gum flap there where debris can get trapped and becomes painful and swollen. It will need a good clean and then it will heal. Let the dentist have a look at it and they can clean under it. Continue with your salt rinses.

OP that has to come out. The infection has nowhere to go except into the bone if the tooth remains in place. And then you’re buying yourself a whole WORLD of problems as that bone will not repair.

It could be something else, get them to have a look so they can treat it and make you more comfortable. Would think that wisdom tooth needs to go.

Oh god 😫 I really didn’t need this today.
Right, will give the dentist a call and see what they recommend… though I know they’ll want to see me!

I hope you all don’t think I’m a scruff btw! I do have my check ups every 6 months and the rest of my teeth are in good nick, I don’t have any fillings, it’s just this pesky wisdom tooth! 😭

Also following my infection I had to have an expensive course of monthly hygienist appointments to ensure the infection had been cleared.

The NHS still won't take my wisdom tooth out though 🙄

I would get to the dentist asap. I'm probably very jumpy as recently had a horrific wisdom tooth infection which blew up my face, squashed my windpipe and meant I needed emergency surgery under general.

I also went to A&E and had antibiotics in the middle of the night. The surgeon said if I hadn't done that I likely would've got sepsis. Teeth are not to be fucked about with.

@Darkroot I feel your pain - crowded wisdom teeth are horrid. I too am very good with my dental hygiene and go to the hygienist every six months- it is just I have one wisdom tooth that is prone to causing infections.

Be very careul - I had a gum infection from a wisdom tooth, my dentist advised keeping it clean with salt water and Corsodyl. It got worse and turned in to acute necotising gingivitis and I ended up in A&E in the early hours with a temperature of 102.

Absolutely this. Be very careful.
If bacteria enter the bloodstream from a gum infection you can end up with some terrible heart problems.

Possibly just needs a really good clean with a toothbrush with a small head, you could have something stuck under the flap. After that clean regularly and use corsodyl/salt water rinses.

Thanks all, have managed to get an emergency appointment for later today.

It’s actually starting to really hurt now 😫 counting down the minutes until I can take some more painkillers!

Well done for getting the appointment ! It’ll all be sorted soon

Good luck OP!

Be brave! Feel better soon :)

Thanks for the nudge to see the dentist everyone! You were right, 7 day course of antibiotics 👍 let’s hope they kick in sooner rather than later, it’s actually really bothersome now.
Ice cream for dinner! 🍦