Page 2 | To give antibiotics for dental abscess?

NImumconfused · 2025-03-20T20:07:51+00:00

Any dentists about? DD16 is in agony with a dental abscess, painkillers aren't helping much and her face is swelling. This happened before a few years back (the tooth is damaged), same symptoms, so we're fairly confident that's what it is. Last time the dentist drained it and gave amoxicillin. We have an appointment tomorrow with the dentist but in the meantime I'm concerned about the infection spreading. We have amoxicillin in the house (it was prescribed for DH a couple of months back but he reacted badly to it so they took him off that and gave him a different antibiotic). It's been stored properly and is well in date. WIBU to start her on it tonight?

MaverickSnoopy · 20/03/2025 22:17

DH has just been to OOH and been prescribed antibiotics but nowhere open (apart from hospital pharmacy) until morning. Doctor said it wouldn't make a difference whether he took them now or in the morning and DH gets regular infections quite seriously with past hospital admissions.

That being said 1) he is an adult and if it were my child and I had access to antibiotics, I would strongly consider it and 2) SIL had a dental absess recently which turned nasty very quickly

Watch out for her temperature and if she starts getting swelling up to her eye. In the meantime salt water. Hope she's okay.

Onlyvisiting · 20/03/2025 22:23

I would and have!

Is she using anything localised? I haven't had a proper abscess but have had minor infections from time to time and I would be swilling salt water, plus in desperation I also tried oil pulling and I did feel that eased the symptoms. I know it's an anecdoteal treatment and not proven, but I don't know if it would be considered safe, with an actual abscess (not working is fine, don't want to make it worse)

Original poster

NImumconfused · 20/03/2025 22:29

We have tried the salt water thing, and have been to ask the pharmacist earlier, who recommended paracetamol with codeine and orajel extra strength, none of which have really helped. Dental pain is horrific, and she's not good with pain/illness anyway (she has ASD and OCD and is very prone to catastrophizing leading to panic attacks). Just trying to get through to tomorrow morning now till she can get treatment!

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aliceinawonderland · 20/03/2025 22:33

Not sure why she wouldn't take them if she's had them before?

Why do you think it would be harmful? If anything, I'd be terrified of the infection getting worse/leading to facial swelling

Original poster

NImumconfused · 20/03/2025 22:39

I have given her the antibiotics, I was concerned by the swelling and taking her to A&E is an absolute last resort - her ASD makes it really difficult to tolerate the crowded waiting room, I had to practically physically restrain her from bolting the last time we were there and with the state of things in NI health service at the moment we'd probably be waiting till tomorrow morning before getting seen anyway. Fingers crossed it helps and I haven't done the wrong thing.

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aliceinawonderland · 20/03/2025 22:59

NImumconfused · 20/03/2025 22:39

I have given her the antibiotics, I was concerned by the swelling and taking her to A&E is an absolute last resort - her ASD makes it really difficult to tolerate the crowded waiting room, I had to practically physically restrain her from bolting the last time we were there and with the state of things in NI health service at the moment we'd probably be waiting till tomorrow morning before getting seen anyway. Fingers crossed it helps and I haven't done the wrong thing.

I had a horrendous abscess a few years ago and I found that within a couple of hours of taking 1000mg amoxicillin, the pain definitely calmed down.

It's a terrible kind of pain so i do feel for your daughter.

In some ways if it's less inflamed, it will make it easier for the dentist to see what's going on

Good luck!

Bubblesoffun · 20/03/2025 22:59

Pinkandcake · 20/03/2025 20:47

Could popping the abscess be an idea? I’d be inclined to get a needle and burn the end on the gas hob to sterilise it then to pop it to take the pressure away and that will hopefully take away the pain and prevent the infection spreading.

I’m no doctor or medically trained it’s just my DC had one that had a little hole in it and it drained itself continuously and the dentists said it’s good it’s draining naturally.

Edited

not do this.

maw1681 · 20/03/2025 23:19

I would. If you ring and ask a pharmacist they’ll always say no to cover themselves but actually it’ll be fine

BurgundyZero · 20/03/2025 23:28

Poor little sweetheart. I hope she is feeling better ASAP.

I'd also give cocodamol if you have anyone the house. Or paracetamol + ibuprofen together. Helped my husband a lot.

I would have given her the antibiotics too

Original poster

NImumconfused · 21/03/2025 13:06

We had a fairly rough night, we were up playing cards at 4 in the morning to try and distract her from the pain, but we got to the dentist this morning and got it drained and a prescription for 500mg amoxicillin, so I'm happy I made the right decision. She's not feeling much better yet, but hopefully will soon.

Thanks for all the advice.

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JanglingJack · 21/03/2025 13:14

She's 16. I would.

Even if dentist changes prescription. - mine did to give me a stronger one. Then amoxycillin is the generic go to.

I wouldn't post on Mumsnet about it though.

I hope she gets some relief soon. Mine had gone in to top and bottom jaw and I only asked about it as daughter had appointment and he saw me. I definitely would have taken any antibiotics to calm it before appointment!

JanglingJack · 21/03/2025 13:15

D'oh. Replied to late 😂

There's honestly nothing worse. Hope she feels better soon!

Tetchypants · 21/03/2025 20:42

NImumconfused · 21/03/2025 13:06

We had a fairly rough night, we were up playing cards at 4 in the morning to try and distract her from the pain, but we got to the dentist this morning and got it drained and a prescription for 500mg amoxicillin, so I'm happy I made the right decision. She's not feeling much better yet, but hopefully will soon.

Thanks for all the advice.

Was the dentist bothered by you giving her Amoxy the night before?

Hopefully the draining and the meds will make her feel a bit better by the morning.

Original poster

NImumconfused · 22/03/2025 21:29

Tetchypants · 21/03/2025 20:42

Was the dentist bothered by you giving her Amoxy the night before?

Hopefully the draining and the meds will make her feel a bit better by the morning.

Show quote history

He didn't seem bothered, TBH.

She's feeling a bit better but her face is still pretty swollen.

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teap0t13 · 22/03/2025 21:45

I’m glad you gave her the antibiotics. I’ve suffered with tooth pain and abscesses my whole life and I would have jumped out of my bedroom window to stop the pain at one point