To think my dental abscess can’t wait until Monday?

[TeaBoots]

I have what I think is a dental abscess (hard lump at top of gum and awful pain when tooth is touched). I called my dentist this morning and all but begged for an appointment. They said that the next appointment they can give me is Monday afternoon.

AIBU to think that’s not really good enough when you are in awful pain? And any tips on how to get through the next 3 days?

NICE guidelines state:
In the absence of immediate assessment and treatment by a dentist:
Provide appropriate self-care advice to reduce the pressure and pain of the dental abscess:
Use a soft toothbrush to reduce discomfort. Avoid flossing the tooth with the abscess.
Consume soft foods and try eating on the other side of the mouth to reduce discomfort and irritation to the abscess.
Avoid food or drink that may be too hot or cold.
Advise the use of an analgesic to relieve symptoms.
Ibuprofen, or paracetamol if ibuprofen is contraindicated or unsuitable, is recommended first-line. For more information, see the CKS topics on Analgesia - mild-to-moderate pain and NSAIDs - prescribing issues.
Advise the safe use of analgesics:
Warn not to exceed the recommended or prescribed dose.
Remind the person that analgesics should not be used to delay appropriate dental treatment.
Inform the individual that many over-the-counter preparations contain similar analgesics. The person should avoid taking combinations of analgesic products at the same time without first checking with a healthcare professional or the packaging.
Antibiotics are generally not indicated for otherwise healthy people at low risk of complications when there are no signs of spreading infection. In the absence of immediate attention by a dentist, only prescribe an antibiotic:
For people who are systemically unwell or if there are signs of severe infection (for example fever, lymphadenopathy, cellulitis, diffuse swelling).
For high-risk individuals to reduce the risk of complications (for example people who are immunocompromised or have diabetes).

I have utmost sympathy on the pain of a dental abscess as I have had complicated dental history but to all the people recommending demanding or buying antibiotics - please don't do this! Without assessment who is to know it actually NEEDS antibiotics and even if it does, you need the correct ones or you are just increasing the potential for antibiotic resistance. OP, you have had some great advice on how to self care for the tooth/gum over the weekend and hopefully these give some relief. I would also try gently exploring the area with an interdental stick if the abscess is near to the gap between any teeth

Oh, and I can highly recommend cold white wine.. obviously not after taking any paracetamol or co-codamol etc though!

Another one who recommends salt water rinsing. It really, really helps with the pain (also for sore throats as a side note!)

I understand your pain, i had the same thing a couple of years ago, saw an emergency dentist on the sunday who said there was no infection and just told me to take paracetamol, the next morning i woke up and the side of my face was swollen so badly (about 4 times normal size) i could barely speak, went to a&e who took one look and sent me straight to another hospital in a different county (im in kent, was sent to sussex)

The doc at the other hospital looked in my mouth and admitted me straight away to have an op the next morning under GA, im not saying this to scare you, but just to make you aware of what can sometimes happen, so your not to be afraid to go to a&e if needs be

Clove oil helps a bit.
I had an abscess once on a trip away in remote Cumbria. I could barely even drink it was so painful.
I did thankfully survive and demanded to be seen by dentist on the Monday. After that I cried to my boss and had to go home from work. Antibiotics sorted it though.

I had to wait for dental treatment for an inflamed gum (oh my days the pain....!) and I found Orajel and corsodyl gel applied with an interdental brush helped the most.

Another for salt water . So fresh boiled water left to cool enough for you to swill it . Do that every hour or so .
Once I had one so bad I nearly passed out . My mum had to take me to an emergency dentist and on the way to get antibiotics I was waiting in the car and I pushed it with my tongue and it burst .
The relief was immediate!

I used I-gp when I had an abscess and they sent the prescription to a pharmacy of my choice. I chose Tesco as they don't charge a dispensing fee only the cost of the antibiotics was around £2.
The I-gp fee was £10 and I had the script in less than a hour x

You have my sympathy op. I had the same last year and spent my days crying and swallowing painkillers. I couldn’t believe how long I had to wait for an appointment.

Thanks for self care tips. I’ve been salt water rinsing etc. Just need to get to Monday.

You’ll be fine, really. I had one in November (same symptoms as you) and I didn’t get the root canal done until January. I did have antibiotics prior to that which took some swelling down, but it was absolutely fine. You’ll be ok for a few days.

My mum bad one years ago that nearly killed her. It was absolutely huge though and she waited ages before going.