Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take the antibiotics (dental infection)?

45 replies

QuestionableMouse · 09/07/2023 11:25

Pretty sure i have an infected tooth - it's painful, especially if i bite on it, i have a bit of a temperature (37.8) and just generally feel rough. It's been infected before and I'm pretty good at knowing the signs now unfortunately. It started on Thur and i've been trying to get help since. None of the local dentists have free emergency appointments - I'm on the waiting list at three practices. Limited to how far i can travel due to a badly sprained ankle which means I can't drive!

I don't have a nhs dentist and can't afford private - i spoke to one on Friday who wanted £120 just to see me, plus any treatment costs on top. That's more than my weekly wage at the moment!

111 aren't helping - because i have a treatment plan they can't offer me an appointment. Only the treatment plan is to remove the tooth which isnt happening for two more weeks. The dentist who is removing the tooth is an oral surgeon and can't prescribe antibiotics - he told me to ring 111 and I'm stuck in a frustrated loop of no one being able to help me.

I was prescribed antibiotics last year for tonsillitis that i didn't take (because i had covid, not tonsillitis, tested positive after i got the antibiotics) and I'm honestly thinking about taking them. I'm genuinely worried that I'm going to end up really unwell if i don't get help soon. Google says they are used for dental infections.

Can anyone please help? Will they work? I just don't know what else to do!

To take the antibiotics (dental infection)?
OP posts:
Thelnebriati · 09/07/2023 13:45

I wish I'd known that last year!

HopelessEstateAgents · 09/07/2023 13:48

I would 100 percent do this. You're a grown adult and you've checked they are suitable for dental infections.

You other option would be to use UK Meds or similar to self prescribe, but why bother, given you already have something suitable

Weedoormatnomore · 09/07/2023 14:06

I only had to take antibiotics 1 3 times a day for 5 days. Can't remember how strong they where. After bad treatment from NHS dentist I went private was wor so had to pay anyway. When I had infection was in and out in 2 mins max £15 for quick look £9.95 for antibiotics that they gave me at dentist. Cost me more when I pd NHS as I worked.

Wheredoistart78 · 09/07/2023 14:47

Take them, I've done the same.

I recently got antibiotics from super drug online for BV but I needed them for a tooth infection.

ApiratesaysYarrr · 09/07/2023 14:49

Your dentist is lying if they say they cannot prescribe antibiotics. There is a dental formulary for drugs which includes antibiotics. It doesn't matter whether they describe themselves as an oral surgeon, if they are providing dental treatment, they are either a doctor or a dentist, and both those professions can prescribe.
NHS England guidance

Advice from the body that regulates dentists

https://www.england.nhs.uk/north/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/09/dental-health.pdf

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 09/07/2023 15:06

Wheredoistart78 · 09/07/2023 14:47

Take them, I've done the same.

I recently got antibiotics from super drug online for BV but I needed them for a tooth infection.

I ordered some metronidazole from superdrug too but it'll be an absolute last resort because it makes me feel terrible!

OP posts:
storypushers · 09/07/2023 15:16

ApiratesaysYarrr · 09/07/2023 14:49

Your dentist is lying if they say they cannot prescribe antibiotics. There is a dental formulary for drugs which includes antibiotics. It doesn't matter whether they describe themselves as an oral surgeon, if they are providing dental treatment, they are either a doctor or a dentist, and both those professions can prescribe.
NHS England guidance

Advice from the body that regulates dentists

Could be a dental therapist who can do fillings and extractions but can't prescribe. They should only be working with a dentist on site though so could maybe ask a colleague to prescribe.

wombat1a · 09/07/2023 15:21

I'd take them, the longer you wait for treatment, or to take them the worse the problem will be and the lonnger it will take to clear up.
I had an infected tooth and within 24hrs of antibiotics I was able to eat again. However if you do take them you must finish the course as people not finishing course is one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance.

Emmamoo89 · 09/07/2023 15:36

Definitely take them

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 09/07/2023 15:42

Take them. I've done the same in the past.

NoHeavenNoMore · 09/07/2023 16:40

Take them x

Furnitureelf · 09/07/2023 16:49

PurpleButterflyWings · 09/07/2023 12:41

@QuestionableMouse

Definitely take them!!! Don't take any notice of the person saying you have the antibiotics for a different thing - other than your teeth ... TOTALLY irrelevant ...

I had a really bad infection a couple of years ago (NOT in my mouth!) and I had a set of antibiotics ... About 3 months later DH had a bad tooth infection - and he had exactly the same antibiotics. A few months later my daughter had an infection (in a different place on her body to me and DH,) and she had the exact same antibiotics.

Most of them are much of a muchness really ... They're basically just all antibiotics under a different name Just take them and I hope your tooth pain goes soon ... it's absolutely vile.

Whilst in this situation I would take them as penicillin is used for dental infections.

Saying they're much of a muchness is so beyond inaccurate. There are aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Some infections are only sensitive to certain medications. Please do your research before affecting our rapidly disappearing weapon against bacteria as bugs grow resistant.
Shocking

AllergictoWerewolves · 09/07/2023 17:17

OP, these will be fine. They're not as strong as the Amoxicillin 500mg that we would usually prescribe for periapical infections, but should help. It may take up to 48 hours to kick in but just stick with it and complete the course.
And I'm very surprised that your oral surgeon has said they can't prescribe! All GDPs can prescribe, both from a limited NHS list and from a more extensive private list. Might be worth giving the practice a call tomorrow.

Spanielsarepainless · 09/07/2023 17:20

Another vote for taking them. But in a similar situation, I explained to my GP and he prescribed for me.

Wonsunwell · 09/07/2023 17:21

My dentist prescribed antibiotics for me a week or so ago. I was surprised by the old style prescription pad, it took me right back.

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 09/07/2023 18:00

storypushers · 09/07/2023 15:16

Could be a dental therapist who can do fillings and extractions but can't prescribe. They should only be working with a dentist on site though so could maybe ask a colleague to prescribe.

Show quote history

She is an oral surgeon who works out of a very large practice in Billingham.

She told me in my appointment to call 111 for help, and the reception team also told me that she is unable to prescribe antibiotics because she's not a general dentist.

OP posts:
Dressydress · 09/07/2023 18:05

Do it. I'm on these now for a combined sinus and tooth infection. 2 tablets every 6 hours for 5 days

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 09/07/2023 18:10

Forget to say that I've taken two, will take another two before bed.

OP posts:
Wonsunwell · 09/07/2023 18:11

QuestionableMouse · 09/07/2023 18:10

Forget to say that I've taken two, will take another two before bed.

Good, hope you start feeling better very soon!

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 09/07/2023 18:47

Me too, thank you!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page