Any dentists about worried I've been given wrong advice?

[PennyForTheme]

I have an impacted wisdom tooth that's growing sideways. Underneath that tooth is a big olde infection. Dentist has said that the tooth needs to be removed. It needs to be removed at dental hospital and they can't reach the roots. They haven't prescribed antibiotics though even though they showed me the infection on the xray. They said that it would build up resistance to antibiotics which I might need if it becomes a worse infection that they still can't remove. Is that right? My mum died of sepsis so I am worried. Mt dentist is normally great though. So I feel like it's me not understanding the risks involved?

Sorry to hear about your mum and I understand your concerns. Your dentist is right, if you have only localized infection around the tooth with no systemic involvement then you don't need Antibiotics.Your body should be able to fight it. Keep the area clean, warm salty rinses every couple of hours and painkillers as necessary. If the symptoms get worse by all means contact your dentist and they will do the needful.

Thanks I suppose my only worry is that dentist said infection had probably been there a while and it doesn't seem to be going. Will it just stay infected (hopefully localized) until whenever the dentist can see me?

*Whenever dental hospital can see me I mean.

If you have a chronically infected tooth it wont heal on its own, the localised infection will always be present until the tooth is removed. Equally it doesnt need antibiotics. You only need antibiotics if you have facial swelling or systemic involvement.

What you can do from your side is keep the area clean with corsodyl moutwash or salt water daily, using a syringe or a small single tufted brush dipped in it.

How dangerous is to be left? The Internet is full of articles about how dangerous it is to just leave infected teeth and the risk of sepsis/ cellulitis. Dentist called it a "time bomb" which is why it needs removing. Didn't help my anxiety but does that mean it is bound to turn into a worst infection at some point?

Keep an eye on your temperature and any increased swelling.
I've known lots of people have ongoing infections whilst waiting for extractions. It's quite common unfortunately but miserable. Hope you get sorted soon.

It needs to come out. Most of the time these things will just rumble along until they are removed and be totally fine apart from occasional pain

Occasionally you will get an abscess - so a collection of pus. If that happens you see your dentist for antbiotics and have it drained. The majority of abscesses are completely treatable in a dental setting.

You can get serious infection from a tooth, however there is almost always a preceeding swelling, and it is still rare. Generally you will have a good few days from initial swelling to anything not treatable in the dentist.

Basically if your tooth has a worrying infection you will know about it, and can easily get it treated.

If you are really worried the alternative is to pay to see a private oral surgeon to get it removed sooner.

Thank you @DishedUp so even though it's a big infection it's not necessarily an abscess? And if it becomes an abscess then it can be drained? Even though the tooth itself is growing on its side so not easily accessed?
I asked my dentist about going privately as I would love the worry to be over. I just don't have the money though.

I had an infection for years ive lost three teeth to it in the end sort it sooner rather than later

An abscess is when there is swelling basically. It is just a chronically infected tooth, many people have many chronically infected teeth for years! And yes if it becomes an abscess it will be treatable.

You won't loose additional teeth because of an infection in one tooth

Thank you @DishedUp for your time. You've explained everything so well I understand much more of what's going on now.

Just coming back to this as all today and yesterday I have had a horrid bitter taste in my mouth but the pain has subsided. Am I still OK to leave it or do I need to consult dentist again? I now have a dental hospital appointment for 19th January.