I can get rid of this infection without antibiotics, right?

[PoisonRain]

I have a gum infection. Not a tooth abscess, just a bit of gum over a partially impacted wisdom tooth that has become irritated then infected.

I've never had a dental infection before - my dentist gave me metronidazole but I don't want to take it. Everyone I've mentioned it to pulls a face and says it makes you feel dreadful. I've been rinsing frequently with warm salty water, using a cold compress and taking paracetamol - it's unpleasant and I don't feel great, but it's bearable (not like a toothache).

If it's no better in 48 hrs I suppose I'll have to woman-up and brave the drugs, but it's not unreasonable to see if I can clear it myself first is it?

Metronidazole is fine aslong as you don't drink alcohol while taking it. You won't even notice your taking it. I'm guessing people who feel unwell is probably due to the infection rather then the antibiotic

I have had this a few times. I have taken antibiotics for it maybe for 40% of my cases. I find it agony and just horrible to cope with, but after two long weeks it does clear up. Maybe up to three weeks. It doesn't clear up after a just a couple of days, or there'd be no need for antibiotics. Even with antibiotics it can take up to a week.

The reason I don't always take antibiotics for it is because I don't always have a dentist and doctors wouldn't help me because it's in the mouth. When I don't get antibiotics then people tell me it can spread and I will die. I thought the point of antibiotics was that they were to stop you from dying, and if you can beat something on your own, you should try. Isn't it too many antibiotics what caused all these superbugs? I think it can spread and kill you but it's not that common.

How I fight it without.. get a strong mouthwash like Corsodyl. Swish with that as well as salt rinses. Make the salt rinses as hot as you can bear. It's important to remove the debris which caused it. Buy a water flosser or a spiky pick thing the dentists have, and really have a go under the gum. It will hurt like mad but at least any debris will be gone. Be prepared for the awful pain to last up to three weeks though. But your body can fight it. Obviously if you feel it getting worse and spreading then seek help.

I had them last summer for a dental infection. No side effects and it knocked the infection on its head. You only tend to get sick with them if you drink alcohol while taking them (also for a few days after). Also remember to follow any advice around when you take them in relation to eating.

Thanks for all the replies, I started out replying individually then got distracted - now there are so many! But I have read them all and appreciate the input.

Yes, I do understand how serious these things can be - I've been very fortunate in my 52 years and have only had mild toothache once, I've never had a gum infection despite this wisdom tooth being impacted all my life. It HAS threatened once or twice, interesting what a PP said about it always flaring when flying. Whenever we go away for a few days I leave my electric toothbrush at home and take a manual - and the day after we get home, that corner of my mouth regularly feels sore. I keep buying different shaped brushes thinking I'm just brushing badly and grazing the gum - and in the past the soreness has always disappeared after a day or two. Perhaps I'm actually not cleaning under that gum flap very well with the temp manual brush and THIS time it's not messing around. Strike 1...

Thank you for the positive stories about metronidazole and how people take it regularly with no major issues - it's too easy to focus on horror stories isn't it. Historically, it's only been anti-depressants that ever caused me violent diarrhoea or strong nausea - the worst I've had with antibiotics is vicious griping pains from erythromycin (along with every other average human), gnawing but mild/manageable nausea with Trimethoprim, and hospitalisation with breathing difficulties from nitrafurantoin. 😁

I suspect I will be fine (I don't drink alcohol anyway), but I'll still be a bit jittery about starting. I was given it for suspected giardia years ago but the infection was already clearing on its own so I didn't take it - I think I might have been given it post-gallbladder surgery, but that would have been via IV with all the other drugs presumably...?

Anyway. I waffle. Thanks again everyone for the positive stories and sage advice, much appreciated. For anyone reading this thread in future years for the same reason, I will update.

I have an impacted wisdom tooth that gets infected every few years.

Same for me. At least twice in the last year.

Can I ask why you guys aren't getting the wisdom teeth removed?

Thanks - well, if I let the paracetamol wear off I feel a bit rubbish and it hurts, yeah. But nothing too serious, just under par!

I had that AB recently (alongside a second one) and it was fine. Just zero alcohol for this one including in food, so not wine in sauces etc.

As an emetophobic, I recommend you getting some antiemetics in, like cyclizine, ondensatron or buccastem.

Not for this in particular, necessarily, but in general.

No idea about the gum infection but I've been on metronidazole for the past 10 weeks and have had no side effects at all. Just remember not to drink any alcohol if you do take it.

I would definitely take them. I did feel absolutely awful on them but I had one small glass of wine. I felt awful for a week!

I have side effects to everything even bloody herbal stuff. Worst I have had with Metronidazole is diarrhoea and I feel quite sleepy with it. You must leave 72 hours after your last dose before drinking alcohol or anything with alcohol in it - otherwise you will be very ill!

OP, as an ex-ITU nurse, please take the antibiotics. Infections in the mouth can very quickly lead to abscesses which can very quickly cause airway issues, have seen it multiple times in young people.

I've had Metronidazole umpteen times because of soft tissue infection elsewhere and a penicillin allergy. I've not had any unpleasant side effects with it, but I hardly ever drink and infections for some reason, put me off alcohol anyway.

A few years ago, I needed a biopsy on my nose. When I had my check-up, the nurse practitioner thought the area looked a bit inflamed and put me straight on antibiotics. I should stress that it just looked a bit pink and it wasn't sore - nothing that would worry a layperson and certainly nothing on a par with what you're putting up with. But the NP said that because of where it was, any infection could easily travel to my brain and he wasn't taking chances. Clinicians are increasingly wary of putting people on antibiotics because of bacterial resistance, but there are times when they are necessary.

Coincidentally I suffer from chronic migraine - it's now well controlled by medication BUT I do still have a supply of metaclopramide (and a few Prochlorperazine) if things are desperate!

I'd just take it

I think if you were going to get side effects it would be diarrhoea rather than vomiting. It upsets the good bacteria in your gut.

Gum infections can turn nasty very quickly so I wouldn't mess about. But equally I hate taking antibiotics and tend to leave it as long as possible to see if my body can clear it first.

Yeah, diarrhoea will be the most likely effect (personally speaking) if there is one...will just have to make sure I'm not going anywhere for a few days! We have got a lot of visitors next week though...

I've just finished a course of it and was absolutely fine. I was worried as I get a dodgy tum very easily but was ok. I even avoided alcohol in mouth wash!

But equally I hate taking antibiotics and tend to leave it as long as possible to see if my body can clear it first.

That isn't a good idea as it can be harder to get the infection under control - the sooner the better OP.

For goodness sake, just WHY did you bother your dentist and waste his time if you are going to self-medicate regardless??? He has years upon years of meticulous training - but no, you know better! Wake up OP

Salt water rinses and corsodyl gel

Your visitors will like it more if you're not in hospital with sepsis caused by an untreated infection.

Get on with it.

Just to reassure you, my 3year old has been on a massive dose of metronidazole and my husband has been on a course too this week (giardiasis!) and neither have had any side effects at all. People tend to post online and remember bad experiences with medications and not when it all goes straightforward.

It's different for everyone, of course. But I would take the metronidazole (and not have a drop of alcohol) if I were in your position.

Fair

Infection in your gum can travel straight to your heart. I wouldn't mess around with it.