Should I have a tooth extraction before holiday or wait until after?

[Scrabsqueak]

Hi, I have a tooth which needs to be pulled. It is tender when I bite on it, but not at any other time. At dentist yesterday, was told there is an abcess under it, root canal not appropriate, tooth needs to come out. No problem, I’ve known for a while I might lose it.
However, I am going on holiday in 2 weeks and dentist has space this Monday. I am worried about causing an issue , like dry socket, or other infection and spoiling my holiday, when at the moment the tooth is not really a problem.
Am wondering if I should postpone the extraction till after holiday, or if I’m being a bit of a doom merchant and should just take the quick appointment and be grateful?
Any opinions?

I probably would wait if you think it’s unlikely to suddenly flare up and cause you problems and you’re happy to chew on the other side. No reason to poke the sleeping dragon.

Are you on ABs for the abscess? I had the same dilemma before flying to Australia for three weeks. I chose to leave tooth in . I didn’t want to risk dry socket which is higher risk when flying.
All was fine .I took local anaesthetic gel which I applied before flying.

It's a tough one.... if it's not hurting my initial thought was to leave it, but an abscess can become excruciatingly painful very quickly so I think, on balance, that I would have the tooth out. Unless, of course, your dentist would be willing to prescribe antibiotics to stop it getting any worse while you are away.

I had excruciating dry socket after an extraction once, I would be tempted to leave it until your return in case it happens and ruins your holiday.

You have enough time to get it out and recover so I would do that. You need at least a week to 10 days clear.

After.

Don't travel without antibiotics for swelling/infection and strong painkillers just in case but an extraction can hurt after the anaesthetic wears off.

You should do it now. If it gets unbearably painful, which it will at some point if there's an abscess and you're on holiday it will ruin your trip. You'll be scrambling round for an emergency dentist in an unfamiliar country. It's not a case of if the pain gets worse, but when. So don't leave it any longer.

I would have it pulled. I had a dodgy tooth that got infected very fast and was very painful. Extraction was straightforward and no issues.
If it's 10 days before you fly won't the risk of dry socket have passed?

Oh just seen you gave 2 weeks, in that case you probably do have enough time but i probably would still wait just in case if there's no swelling/pain.

Get it over with. Dry socket is not as bad as infection pain (I've had it twice). Also, god forbid, if it happens the dressing they use is incredibly effective.

As someone who had a freak jaw infection during a long haul flight I would do anything to avoid the chance of that happening again.

I would have it done before you go away, if dry socket develops, it is usually 48 hours or so after extraction. There's a chance the abcess could become more painful if left.

Definitely get it out now while you can! It will almost certainly flare up whilst you are away. It's just how things tend to go. You won't get dry socket if you look after the clot properly (no drinking through a straw for example). It'll heal very quickly and you'll enjoy your holiday!

I think get it done now. You really don’t want an abscess to get worse while on holiday. Happened to a friend of ours and she was in terrible pain until she managed to get a local dentist to deal with it.
You have long enough that the tooth socket will have healed over by the time you go.

Do it asap. I was in same dilemma but mine was 2 days before a flight. It was no brainer for me as the infection was horrific so I had it pulled. I had a slightly painful holiday but it was nothing compared to the pain before it was pulled. You have enough time to recover as well before you go and you won’t feel you’re sitting on a ticking time bomb waiting for it to kick off.

I would have it out.

I would have it out as there is already an infection and it is already starting to become sore. I would’ve thought the dentist will give you antibiotics if you are not already on them so it’s unlikely you will develop a new infection

2 weeks is plenty time for it to heal. I would prefer that than risk a full blown abscess especially if you're flying.

I would be worried about the abscess. Dental pain can stay low level, then suddenly it’s excruciating. Going by my own experience of tooth extraction, I didn’t have any problems afterwards and was back to normal within a few days. But I realise it’s not always straightforward. In my case, one of my teeth was cracked right across (unbeknownst to me😬) and by the time it was removed I probably would’ve let her chop my head off. The other one was the only wisdom tooth I ever grew and it went from ‘oh, best keep an eye on that wisdom tooth’, following an x-ray, to unbearable pain within a month. Just keep in mind the potential for escalating pain.

Another in the Do It Now camp.
You have time for recovery.
Infection can flare up really quickly and on a plane, or travelling is not ideal.

Ask about reducing the risk of dry socket. And an emergency pack of abx if you need them .
I'd snap up the Monday appointment and get it over.

I'd get it done, worse pain of my life when had abscess/infection under wisdom tooth, and I've had babies with no pain relief 🥴 I've had quite a few removed over the years as I'm old and they usually pain free after 7 days. Never had dry socket but I am meticulous in following instructions and salt washes.

Ok, seems majority in court of getting it out.
Will go for it and just keep my fingers crossed. Not on any antibiotics yet, but will mention my fear of infection to Dentist.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input

Hope u ok. Op get it out no point you being worse away. My wisdom was removed fri our flight was monday!!

I used to get abscesses fairly regular at one time
dentist offered extraction ,I took antibiotics it settled down , still got tooth and haven’t had problems with it for years
wait till after holls

DH had this. After second lot of ABs (had one lot just before going away and it flared up again soon after), he said he was in agony and just wanted it out. It was hard to remove, but he said he had immediate relief - obviously area was a bit sensitive but nothing like it had been. No follow-up problems.

You have time now to heal even if you get dry socket. I would definitely get it out.