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My gum just exploded, help

7 replies

EwwwGross · 24/09/2025 18:59

I have a lot of gum recession on a lower front tooth due to over brushing. Every so often it flares up and gets a bit inflamed and pus-y because however hard I try to keep it clean, stuff gets caught underneath. The dentist gives it a good clean and usually it's fine.

Just over a week ago exactly that happened so I made an emergency appointment to get it sorted (I'm immunosuppressed so have to keep on top of any infections). Dentist said you're good to go, call us back if it gives you any more problems. That was last Thursday.

The gum has been largely fine - lovely and pink and healthy looking - but the pus has carried on draining. No pain from the tooth itself and the dentist tapped it to check for infection but that was painless too. However I was just cleaning it and area in the gum from where the pus has been draining 'popped' like a spot and loads of yellow goo poured forth. Absolutely disgusting.

I did call the dentist again yesterday but they said as I have a check up appointment next week they can't really do any more, but if it gets unmanageable to call back. I'm terrified it's an abscess - I've had them before and it was agony, but this isn't. But I've convinced myself that's because it's draining.

What do I do? Wait until my appointment next week? Call back? I have health anxiety so I'm convincing myself I'll get sepsis. I've been doing regular salt rinses/cleaning with single tuft brush/corsodyl etc as advised. Shall I just carry on with that until my appointment next week?

Any advice so gratefully received, tia 💐

OP posts:
Bumdrops · 24/09/2025 19:02

well they said call them
back if it gives u more problems - so do just that
if its out of hours call 111
f you feel really unwell - fever / intolerable pain - A+E

EternalSunshine19 · 24/09/2025 19:12

Call them back. You need antibiotics.

EwwwGross · 24/09/2025 19:17

EternalSunshine19 · 24/09/2025 19:12

Call them back. You need antibiotics.

I think so too. I asked when I was there last week if I needed them and she said no. I even explained that I'm immunosuppressed and had to be careful but she was insistent there was no infection, it was just bacteria from food caught under the gum. I believed her in the end because there was no pain.

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EwwwGross · 24/09/2025 19:18

Bumdrops · 24/09/2025 19:02

well they said call them
back if it gives u more problems - so do just that
if its out of hours call 111
f you feel really unwell - fever / intolerable pain - A+E

I'll call them in the morning because I'm not sure what 111 could do, although I really think I need antibiotics. All the pharmacies near me are closed now anyway so I'd not be able to get any even if they prescribed some.

OP posts:
Vitriolinsanity · 24/09/2025 19:24

Go to a pharmacy first thing that can prescribe antibiotics. Meanwhile, warm water and salt sluice every 2 hours.

EwwwGross · 25/09/2025 10:39

Thanks all.

About an hour after I posted I ended up in A&E with a broken/dislocated toe. I was there most of the night and now have to rest my foot completely for a week, so going to the dentist isn't happening today. Luckily I have my appointment next Thursday and it does seem a lot better this morning anyway. I'm salt rinsing every two hours and Corsodyl four times a day. I'm on industrial level painkillers for my foot but as far as I'm aware there's still no pain and definitely no tenderness or inflammation in the gum itself. It seems to have stopped leaking gross stuff too.

Thoroughly miserable this morning but at least I have an excuse to literally put my feet up and read!

OP posts:
Vitriolinsanity · 25/09/2025 18:49

Blimey! You are in the wars as DM would say. I hope you’re better at both extremes soon.

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