Tooth abcess in ds aged 5, anti biotics not cleared it- what to do now?

[CharlieBoo]

My ds had some tooth pain and last Monday the dentist said he had an infection and gave anti biotics. Shesaid he'd need the tooth out and has referred us but the wait is 2 months. Today the tooth is hurting him again and is very swollen. The pain is just when he eats and when you touch it. Today dentist said it looks like it will pop and she didn't want to give another setof anti biotics. She said if pain gets worse to go to gp and get anti biotics fromthem. My ds is alergic to penacillin and she was nervy about giving him something else. The gum is very swollen, should I go to gp tomorrow? Am going to ring the dental hospital to see if we can go private for the extraction but in the mean time do you think I should push for more meds or just wait? Thanks

The GP can't do anything about this, she really does need to go back to the dentist, either this or A&E and see what they say, they might just tell you to take her back to the dentist.

We saw the dentist this afternoon and she said if gets worse go to gp for anti biotics as she has already given one set. She will not want us back there hence my confusion about what to do.

Hmm. You could try your GP, give them a call in the morning.

Did you (or your ds, not sure how old) get self-care advice?

CharlieBoo - I may be a wimp but I have had three tooth abcesses since having my son 3 years ago and I can honestly say it is the most excutiating (sorry about spelling) pain I have ever felt. If he is in agony, he really needs to get back to the dentist ASAP.

I remember giving birth to my son 6 weeks prior to getting the first abcess and commenting on how the pain from the tooth (for me) was worse than going through labour (although to be fair, I did have lots of drugs then).

Sorry to be negative but with the first abcess the dentist drilled through the tooth and drained it, as well as giving me the antibiotics, which really did take way the pain from the build up of pressure, although I did eventually loose the tooth.

I would say he really needs to see another dentist tomorrow if it is swollen because it may help him if it is drained. Obviously I have no medical training but just speaking from 3 terrible experiences.

Thanks for replies. Dentist said put teething gel on it and give calpol and wait for it to pop. If gets worse go to gp. It's just last week when she first saw him she said he needed anti bs or it could damage his big tooth behind it. It is a tooth that he banged badly when he was 2 and had died anyway. He is 5 btw. I have an appointment with our gp this morning so will see what she says and if no joy should I call around other dentists to get 2nd opinion? Thank you

Good luck and hope he is feeling better soon

My ds (4) also has a tooth absess on a front tooth which he bashed as a toddler and am having to take him to a sedation clinic for a root canal or tooth extraction. I think you need a second opionion from a dentist.

I'm not sure if this advice is any good to you given your DS's age, but I also have an abscess that I've had since February and am having it out at the end of September. I've had 3 lots of Amoxicillin (which I see your DS can't have) which reduce it, but it the flares up again. What I have found the most helpful in the last week or so is swilling salt water (boil kettle and dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt into it, then wait for it to cool) round the tooth a couple of times a day. Do you think your DS would be able to do this without swallowing it? It has really taken down the swelling and in turn the pain has reduced. I am going to continue doing this in the hope that it will keep it under control for the next 6 weeks!!

Sorry if it is not appropriate advice for a 5 year old, but though I'd let you know in case it is of help.

I hope he gets it sorted very soon as it is not nice.

Thank you so much again for replies. I rang the clinic who will be taking it out and they have a cancellation for Monday morning. They will do it under sedation. Got to start the anti biotics today. Am sooo relieved as it is much worse this morning, his top lip is huge!!! Thank you again.

Charlie Boo - Im glad you have sorted an appointment out for Monday but just to let you know, if the pain gets really unbearable for him there is usually an emergency dentist you can see over the weekend.

On one occassion I gor a Sunday morning appointment at a different surgery because I couldn't wait until the Monday. I thought I would let you know just in case you need it.

With my usual dentist, if you call the surgery out of hours an emergency number is given to you over the answer phone message. Also, there is a number you can use (its a bit like the NHS direct number) that puts you in touch with a dentist in your area over the weekend. Sorry, I forgot what the number is but I am sure it will be on the internet. Hope this helps a little, should you need it