Wisdom tooth pain - will I need antibiotics?

[NedZeppelin]

Typically my wisdom tooth has flared up and my gum has been very painful for about a week now, helped by painkillers. I'm avoiding a trip to the dentist as I suspect I will be given metronizadole which means no alcohol over Xmas... should I sit it out or should I really go to the dentist?

My wisdom teeth are hit and miss, but last time I went the dentist told me to swill warm salt water for a couple a days first to see if that kills off whatever is causing the problem, then ask for antibiotics if no luck.

Typically, I haven't had a flare up since then so I can't tell you if it works or not...

Thanks, someone at work advised this too, maybe I'll do that as even if I leave it until later in the week I'll still have to take the antibiotics over Xmas anyway.

Where do you think the pain is coming from? Is it within the tooth itself, or flaps of gum around it? Is your tooth partially erupted?

Partially erupted wisdom teeth are susceptible to something called pericoronitis. It can sometimes need antibiotics if it's really bad, but if not Corsoldyl is fantastic at sorting it out. Had it a few times myself, and the dentist recommended Corsodyl.

I think it would be wise to go to the dentist now, rather than wait a few more days and end up with a swollen face and in a lot of pain over Christmas.

To avoid a prescription of Metronizadole, tell them the last time you had it, it made you really really sick, so there wasn't much point you taking it and the GP gave you something else! That's what I did when I had an abscess, because it made me feel so bloody poorly, so they gave me erythromycin.

I had a wisdom tooth removed recently. Lots and lots of pain before it was extracted, but no infection.

Yes yes Corsodyl will help

I'd cover both possibilities to be honest - use salt water and corsodyl now to see if helps, corsodyl mouthwash and also gel (I had a partially erupted wisdom tooth which regularly got infected, dentist recommended the gel but also use a cotton bud to push the gum slightly back and make sure gel getting right in there).
AND go to dentist now, if they prescribe antibiotics then you can keep trying with the rinse/gel and see if that works, but if not then at least you have the antibiotics ready and don't have to try and arrange an appointment over Christmas.
If the infection gets worse, as much as you'll want to be out celebrating the festivities you may not feel up to it and have to give in to the antibiotics.
Hope the gel/rinse/mouthwash works for you though!