Can anyone answer a few gum abcess questions for me please?

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First time ever having a gum abcess, now on second full day of antibiotics. Thankfully not too painful but dentist didn’t give me masses of advice only that he would ring to check on my progress next week and a hygienist appointment in a couple of weeks.

How long should I expect the lump to be there?

Anything else I can do to help heal it? (Have been doing salt water rinses)

What signs would there be if it hadn’t healed? Apart from high temp?

TIA

Hopeful bump

Hi, I had one a few weeks ago. I did not notice much change for several days and was worried that the antibiotics were not working but by day 6 of antibiotics everything had improved and my lump was gone. Hopefully you will feel better soon.

Thanks for the reply. I think that’s my concern is that antibiotics are taking a while to do anything
That’s reassured me

When I had one it did take quite a few days for the antibiotics kick in. I thought they weren't working but after a week it was fine.

We were told for my son that the bump should go down in two to three days and it did. I would call them if it isn’t going down toward the end of the third day (presuming 3 doses a day, by the time you’re taking the ninth). They won’t mind a quick phone call.

I also had one for the first time in my life recently, bad timing or what with covid - 19.
Basically the lump had been there months since before the dentist's were shut due to the virus. I had been to the dentist late last year due to toothache but the dentist said nothing was causing it.
It turns out mine was the self draining kind and the dentist refused to prescribe antibiotics as that would heal the holes, stop the drainage and make the problem worse since I was actually in no pain.
My only option was wait until they could perform root canal whenever that ould be or opt for extraction. I opted for the former in the end as I was worried we could go back in to lockdown before I actually got treatment.
Antibiotics wont resolve the problem, have you been offered root canal treatment?

Hi, just spoke to dentist as only on a 5 day course and not really showing any signs of improvement
They have said to call Monday to maybe switch to diff antibiotics.

crimsonlake - no mention of root canal, just cleaning under gums from hygienist and tips to improve my gum health
Got to wait 2 weeks to see hygienist though

It depends if it is caused by a tooth or your gums. It sounds like your dentist thinks its related to gum disease as theyve booked you in with the hygenist? What did the dentist say caused it?

Antibiotics take 2-3 days to kick in, however really dental abscess need treatment

If its caused by a tooth, the tooth will ther need root canal or removal, the infection wont clear completely until the tooth is treated one way or another (although it may find a path to drain like crimsons)

If its caused by gum disease it needs a really good deep clean by the dentist/hygenist. From your end plenty of salt water and excellent oral hygeine. You could try some peroxyl mouthwash or some corsodyl mouthwash on the area

I've got one too - first time ever. Just took my third dose of amoxicillin. I'm also using corsodyl mouthwash. I was given 5 days and told to phone back if it's still there after that.

Hi DishRanAway yes def gum related, he said there is some gum shrinkage round that tooth which obviously needs addressing when abcess has cleared

I will invest in some different mouthwash as well, Thankyou

Honeysucklejasmine hope yours clears quickly
Nightmare and expensive as had to pay to see them privately

In which case you just need to have it cleaned, the dentist should be able to do this for you if its a 2 week wait for the hygenist. You dont need to wait for the infection to clear as it probably wont clear until its properly cleaned.

Are you seen on the NHS?

Hi DishRanAway it’s my normal nhs dentist but they would only see me privately

I’ve paid to see hygeniest upfront but no appointments unless they get a cancellation for 2 weeks
Dentist is ringing me so I will ask whether he can clean it out prior to hygeniest appointment

Thankyou for your advice