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?

Ooh I just spotted you're a fellow emetophobe. Hi!

I watched my son like a hawk , worried they would make him sick. Instead they seem to have made him his old self after a nasty infection.

I understand how stressful it is trying a medication for the first time. But as I already said people are always quick to remember bad experiences rather than uneventful ones. Another tip re alcohol is to avoid alcohol mouthwash whilst on metro

Mouth infections can have very serious consequences.

Just take the meds.

I was on this drug for same reason twice for repeated gum infection but i had no side effects. The pain was awful and i knew nothing i tried to do would solve it when raging infection took hold. Ended up being being referred under NICE regulations/Criteria for removal surgery under local anesthetic. Take care op.

I'm also phobic but have never been sick from any antibiotics and I must have had at least 70 courses of various ones by now

Love your username, I just bought a shed load of those 🤣🤣

I get this OP, my dentist said to try Corsodyl gel first, then call for an appointment if that didn't clear it. I was using Corsodyl mouthwash first, then putting the gel on straight after and it normally clears it.

I am allergic to penicillin. I have been prescribed metronidazole a few times. It works.
Eat some yogurt/take probiotics because it does kill gut bacteria.
Best wishes

lol I only ever seem to post about gastro issues or emetophobia so it's a very appropriate name 😅

I've had that a few times for infected wisdom teeth with no issue at all. Can't understand why people are pulling faces at you and saying its the worst etc. I didn't feel anything on it at all. If you're worried get some 50billion probiotic tablets from Holland and barrett and take them at the same time as the antibiotics.

Not had any problems on this antibiotic as I'm allergic to penicillin. The only thing is to ensure that you drink no alcohol or you will be unwell.

I’ve just finished a course of metronidazole for an abscess and there were no side effects. But if you decide to take them do not drink alcohol whilst you are, and for two days after the course has stopped or you will be very sick.

metronidazole Is the antibiotic of choice for dentists when there is an infection ..

No don’t take probiotics with antibiotics. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2178860-probiotics-are-mostly-useless-and-can-actually-hurt-you/

if you do want to take probiotics don’t get them from H&B. Research the strains that you need, that’s the numbers after the name of the bacterium

Dentist here!!
Just explain what’s the point of going for a dental appointment then not following the professional advice given.
Also I’m glad your therapist knows more about antibiotics and infections than your dentist!!

Take the antibiotics - there's a strong link between the health of your teeth, particularly gum disease, and heart health. Don't take chances. I've had metronidazole and felt okay although it took me a while to feel completely myself but then that could just have been recovering from the infection.

I've had metronidazole - I don't recall having any ill effects from it at all. Regarding the diarrhoea you can sometimes get with antibiotics, I find eating bananas helps.

Bonjela is your friend

Equally, antibiotic resistance is a real thing. I'm not saying the op should get in a state where she is severely infected and in pain but sometimes the body can clear these things. If it were an abscess, probably not. But doesn't sound that severe yet.

No, not equally. Do you have any idea how many courses of antibiotics some people depend on, just to stay alive? OP isn't one of them, but this isn't the same as giving antibiotics for vague viral symptoms. You don't mess around with a bacterial infection in a mucus membrane.

If OP has been advised to take the antibiotics by a dentist for an infection she should take them. She is lucky we have antibiotics to clear this infection she would probably become seriously unwell/or die without them.

I get flare ups like this now and again. Sometimes I end up taking metronidazole but I always try using a water flosser, wisdom tooth brush and corsodyl mouthwash first- 9/10 times it stops it in its tracks. The water flosser can be uncomfortable but does work for me!

I’ve taken them a few times and absolutely zero side effects and I drink so that was the only annoying thing!

Have you tried Gengigel mouthrinse?
Years ago it cured my gingivitis and recently hard sore gums during a cold/flu type bug - fixed that too after just a couple of days.

From the website:

Hyaluronic Acid (also known as Hyaluronan) is a naturally occurring constituent of healthy connective tissues, where its central function is to regulate the healing and repair process. Our bodies naturally produce hyaluronic acid, however our requirements increase significantly with age, when we are unwell, and when trauma or infection is present.
The Gengigel range contains naturally-derived high quality, Hyaluronan. Using Gengigel helps both healing and symptom relief (such as stopping minor bleeding and soothing pain and soreness).

Yes if you don't mind developing sepsis

I'm allergic to penicillin and have taken metronidazole several times for dental infections. I didn't know it was supposed to make you feel awful. I've always felt absolutely fine on it.

Just don't have any alcohol when taking them, even mouth wash. My husband was on the tablets and we was out having dinner, he had steak and ale pie. Was very sick after 😱