To wonder if there are any doctors, dentists or chemists on here please

[Iminagony]

I had a failed tooth extraction last week and have to wait for a surgical extraction now. I'm in agony. Not least because I now have an infection because of it. Been back to the dentist this morning and given amoxicillin, (21 x 500mg) to be taken 3 times a day for 7 days. Reading the leaflet it says for dental infections take 2 x 3g doses (take 6 tabs with 8 hours between each dose).

Why would the dentist not go for the, presumably, more aggressive treatment option?

I realise the best person to ask would be my dentist but I want an opinion other than hers and am unsure whether the gp would advise rather than also telling me to go back to the dentist. So please if there's any dentists, doctors or pharmacists that could help me understand please help! Thanks.

(I'm in a huge amount of pain. Can't eat much, can't chew, can't sleep, and having non-stop migraine now too)

You need to query this with the dentist again - GPs aren’t qualified or indemnified to advise on dental issues. Hope you feel better soon. Dentists can also prescribe strong pain relief.

2x 3g Oral amoxycillin dose is a loading dose for someone presenting with a huge facial swelling who is also generally unwell.
It's very rarely used anyway, because if someone is that poorly they'd be admitted to hospital with a maxilla facial unit for IV antibiotics +/-.
Before the guidelines for antibiotic cover for dental procedures was revised about 10 years ago, 3g Amoxicillin was the standard dose to be taken 1 hour before scaling /extractions.
I hope this reassures you that your dose is an appropriate one. Things should settle down for you soon.
What pain relief are you taking and how long do you have to wait for a surgical extraction? Are you doing your hot salty mouth washes ?

Thank you for the replies.

Usernom1234567890 that has reassured me so thank you. I just wanted the infection gone asap. I suffer with chronic migraine as well and the tooth pain and infection have just caused horrible non-stop migraine since (which is why it's taken me so long to respond) so I was feeling desperate.

I'm taking paracetamol and ibuprofen, both full doses daily (but would love to take another couple of doses a day!). It takes the edge off enough to tolerate existing eating soup and porridge but I'm looking forward to this whole thing being over.

My extraction should be today, though they originally said the end of the month 😢. After asking for a recommendation for somewhere to try to be able to get it done sooner they said they could squeeze me in today. Though I never got the confirmation msg so that's why I say it should be today.
Yes I'm doing saltwater rinses. The dentist also recommended clove oil but I haven't found it to be any help.
Thanks again for the response. It really was helpful.

I'm a pharmacy technician. As far as I know, the 3g dose is given before and after treatment, for patients with cardiac problems; so that they don't develop a cardiac infection.

It's done. It's out. No 'surgical' part required.

Love the extra strong local anae! But wish I had more. Not loving the pain now it's worn off. Fingers crossed for less pain tmw though. These migraines are unbearable.

Well done OP!