Is there a dentist who would please help?

[cinnabuns]

Are there any dentists who might be able to reassure me? I have either a gum infection (pocket?) or an impacted wisdom tooth infection, have spoken to dentist who I also saw at the end of March and had an X-ray, although I have had two courses of penicillin antibiotics already I am collecting metronidazole tomorrow. I am terrified that it won't work and the pain and discomfort won't resolve until whatever the underlying problem is which could be weeks or months before dentists reopen. I am struggling with everyday life, small children and pain and pressure in my face and at the moment literally cannot think about anything else. I don't even want to wake up in the mornings anymore and am having some scary bad thoughts. Can anyone offer any reassurance or help?

It took about ten days before it went down significantly. I was very tired too. I think I had never truly realised how infection can exhaust you. Yes the codeine seemed to make me worse- I didn't seem to tolerate it well.

@mondaywine
Thanks. Mine is more very uncomfortable now than actually painful so it's more bearable but I feel like I've been run over. Absolutely shattered and so emotional, I just keep crying all the time. And totally off food. I am only eating so I can stomach the strong antibiotics. I don't want anything. I'm very anxious about the fact there are no dentists and I'm sure constant worrying is making it a lot worse. Thanks for sharing, good to hear that your similar experience did shift eventually. Thank you for sharing x

This is fairly normal for an abscess related to a wisdom tooth, so its nothing especially concerning. And its unlikely to be exaccerbated by anxiety. So dont panic!

If it doesnt fully clear then you need to comtact your dentist again. Its worth an unrgent care referral as just because its impacted doesnt necessarily mean its difficult to remove, also abscesses really need draining and this is something that can be done. It may also be the gum pocket needs cleaning out. With abscesses it is the pressure that causes pain, if you can drain the avscess no pressure = no pain.

In terms of A&E, if it affects your breathing/swallowing or you cant open your mouth this is indication for A&E. Or if your temperature is raised

However if it gets severe again it would be worth going to a&e as it sounds like it would be severe enough to be treated. I actually think your dentist should have contacted the hospital initially

How many days left of metro do you have? You might need a longer course than 5 days.

However it sounds like its done its job, which is good. It is working.

Now the acute swelling has gone down keep the area really clean, use salt water mouth rinses or corsodyl. Even if the gum is sore really clean it well with a soft toothbrush to remove any plaque/food and prevent further infection.

@UncleFoster
Thank you so much for taking the time to post. Really appreciate your advice. I'm still not sure if it's a gum issue tho. But the good news is I have an appointment to be seen this afternoon which is great.

Thats good @cinnabuns! Hopefully you get it sorted

@cinnabuns Just catching up! how did you get on at the emergency dentist? Mine is a lot better than it was but not totally back to normal yet. I feel I am still recovering from the antibiotics too. I'm being slightly obbsesive about it as I'm so worried about it getting infected again so I'm still using corsodyl despite the possibility of staining. Because mine is a partially erupted wisdom tooth is soo hard to clean properly but I'm trying as best I can with a small toothbrush. Hope you're starting to feel better now.

Hi @OhWhatAPalaver

Glad you seem to be doing better. I totally hear you about the fear. I feel really distressed by this and it's genuinely taking over everything at the moment. Like you also terrified it will come back.

I'm ok thanks (sighs) long story but had a very thorough chat with a dentist instead of the face to face appointment who talked me through everything. He's sure wisdom tooth. He's extended my metronidazole as @UncleFoster thought might be helpful so I'm now on day 6 of 10 in total and actually think it's making a difference now. Really really slowly but it isn't as bad as it was it's crossing a line into uncomfortable and annoying and sore to brush. I've tried to really look after myself too.

For me it isn't the pain anymore it's the constant worry that everything is shut and this will happen again. Frightened of being in pain forever. Next step for me tho will be an urgent hub.

I seem to be craving cheese and apples and not fancying anything sugary, i always think our bodies make us have what we need!! A leftover belief from pregnancy cravings.

Sending all best wishes to you and your poorly tooth and come back and let me know how you get on. Xx

Hi @cinnabuns, sadly mine has come back. Maybe I should have had the metronidazole extended rather than switch to amoxicillin but who knows! I've now been referred to the urgent hub for an extraction though. It's not until next Thursday because I'm not in agony and there's no facial swelling or anything so although I'm a priority it's not urgent urgent. I'm hoping it won't get too much worse and I'll be able to manage it for a week. They actually don't want to give me any more antibiotics so I'm hoping I can keep it at bay at home.
How are you feeling now? Is the metro doing it's job? Hope you are feeling better. X