I noticed a small abscess on my lower gum at the end of June. Red, a bit pussy and tooth only slightly sore when touched.
Called dentist, couldn't see me but prescribed antibiotics (metronidazole) with follow up appointment in 2 weeks. Infection cleared by the time I went to the follow up appointment and xray showed no onvious cause, so he sent me away with a next appointment for a filling booked for early September.
Last week, I noticed the abscess reappearing so managed to get in and see dentist who took one look, prescribed amoxicilin to only take "if necessary" and he'll "sort the tooth out at my next appointment in September."
I've been rinsing with corsodyl and salt water and I'm not in any real pain but there is an abscess in my mouth that is surely only going to get worse?!
We go away for a fortnight next Saturday and I'm worried incase I do start with pain whilst away. I know I could then start the antibiotics but then it will take the antibiotics even longer to work as the infection would be worse, surely?
We're going on holiday in the UK so I suppose I could access emergency dental care if necessary but, like everyone, I'm really in need of this break and don't want it ruined by potential toothache.
My theory is.. take the antibiotics now, infection should go down, even if it reappears again, I should be at the end of the holiday/closer to my next appointment and dreaded root canal treatment I'm likely to need.
Wise folk of Mumsnet, what would you do?