To take this medication

[Patbutcherismyhero]

Back in March before lockdown I had a dental abscess. I saw the dentist who said I have a flap of skin around my back tooth that can sometimes come loose and get food trapped in which leads to infection. He gave me antibiotics. I then was given a second course because I didn't think it had fully got better. However I never actually took the second course because it did start to improve.

I'm now starting with the same sort of pain and wondering if it would be ok to take the second prescription that has been sat in a drawer for the past 8 months. Do antibiotics 'go off' at all? Given the situation and how hard it is to see a dentist at the minute It would be easier to just take them rather than try and get a new prescription. But I'm not sure if it's safe. Help!

Bump

They usually have a long shelf life plus will have an expiry date in the package.

There's an expiry date on the box and strip.

I had the same with my wisdom tooth; make sure you are brushing the 'flap' (even if it is painful), and use mouthwash or warm salt water to keep it clean.

Check the expiry. Could you ring and speak to dentist, mainly so it is recorded you have had 2 infections, not one. If it is ok to do, the dentist will say so!

They don't expire until 2023 so that's good. I will try and hold off taking them unless it gets really bad but it's reassuring to know I have them in case :)

Pericoronitis most if the time doesnt need antibiotics, it is mostly just inflammation. So yes you would be unreasonable

If you think you need antibiotics because you have an infection then you need to see your dentist. It needs treatment and then your dentist needs to teach you hoe to clean under the flap to prevent this happening

This is called Periocoronitis google it. Keep it super super clean and you may not need the antibiotics. Corsodyl mouthwash for a week no longer as it will stain your teeth. See a dentist. Bob's your uncle 😂

Have had that more than once and it might settle without the antibiotics - rinse with warm salt water 3 times a day 👌🏻

Basically theres 2 options, either you have pus in which case you need to see someone because pus from a wisdom tooth can be dangerous.

Or theres no pus in which case you dont need antibiotics.

I wouldn't take antibiotics yet as it's prob just sore and inflamed, try corsodyl first

Google says it usually is treated with antibiotics. I was seen by the dentist last time it happened and given antibiotics then and this feels the same but not as bad just yet. I will only use the antibiotics if it gets bad again. At the moment it's just sore, last time I had swelling, headache and terrible pain in my jaw and ear. I'll keep using mouthwash and hope it sorts itself out!

Dont take the anitbiotics unless youve seen your dentist and theyve been prescribed or told you to take them

Im a dentist, antibiotics should not be used for simple pericoronitis unless theres pus. If a dentist has seen you and thinks theres pus then by all means take the antibiotics.

But if its just basic pericoronitis then it needs local measures. Antibiotic ressistance is a big issue and no one should be taking antibiotics they dont need, or that havent been prescribed. Your tooth needs cleaning under the flap, for which you need to see your t.

Its also important that if you need multiple courses of antibiotics for pericoronitis that its recorded by your dentist as if you need repeat antibiotics then the tooth needs to come out.