Antibiotics haven't worked - gum infection

[InterstellarOverdrive]

I posted recently about this as I was concerned about the short course of antibiotics given by the dentist. He only gave me a 3 day course of amoxicillin for a gum infection and lo and behold they have done absolutely nothing. He has consequently emailed a prescription of metronidazole to the chemist for me to pick up on Monday but again its only 3 days. Last time I had an infection in the same area both antibiotics did nothing and i had to have my wisdom tooth extracted on order for it to settle. What would be the next course of action if metronidazole doesn't work either? Is there something physical the dentist can do to improve my chances of it healing? I'm starting to get quite concerned that I'll just be given more and more antibiotics until I'm ruined :( the amoxicillin have already given me an awful stomach and diarrhoea after only 3 days. Metronidazole is awful so I'd rather not take it if the dentist can do something else instead. I'm starting to get desperate now, it's so painful.

Are you using Corsodyl mouthwash (not the daily one) and Corsodyl toothpaste?

I am. Corsodyl and salt water rinses and lots of thorough cleaning every day. No change :(

I can buy Metronidazole otc here and usually try 7 days as it's sold

Try Augmentin. If they won't give that go to ED

@InterstellarOverdrive

I am. Corsodyl and salt water rinses and lots of thorough cleaning every day. No change :(

I'd cut out the salt water as it'll be rinsing the Corsodyl away.

@worraliberty or just see someone with qualifications

Augmentin is the brand name for amoxicillin isn't it?

The dentist said that something is likely stuck somewhere around the gum area and I can't get it out. Surely if I can't get it out and the dentist hasn't attempted to get it out then the infection won't go? I feel the dentist should be doing more here instead of just prescribing antibiotics and sending me away. Can they not drain the abscess or something?

Augmentin is Co Amoxicav and is way more potent than others

@Nengineer

I can buy Metronidazole otc here and usually try 7 days as it's sold

Where is "here"? There's a good reason that you can't buy antibiotics OTC on the UK.

I had this a few weeks ago, it healed up though after the AB’s but the dentist had to do an incision and drain it off after the infection had gone there was a line of yuk along my gum I could see it , it tasted and smelled vile when he did it, but healed up after a couple of days doing the salt wash, then I switched to Peroxyl. (which I think is miraculous)
Hope you can sort it out OP

The Incision was really painful as well once the injection had worn off but worth it 😓

@KarlMaldensNose I think this is what I need. The antibiotics seem to have made such minimal difference though. I've just absolutely cleaned the hell out of the area with one of those small head toothbrushes as it's right up at the back. It bled a lot, which I think helped a bit. I just needa dentistto do a proper job now.

If you are private can you see another dentist ?
I would insist on it being drained, in my case whilst the infection had healed the pus had no escape and had to be removed it’s basically a gum boil isn’t it? He may be reluctant to interfere with an active infection I’m thinking (obviously I’m not an expert though )
I absolutely love my dentist though he’s very caring and sensible and does the right thing and always explains everything
I really do hope you get it remedied, nothing worse that]n tooth/gum problems

I don't quite understand why the antibiotics are being prescribed for such short periods. I've always had them prescribed for at least 7 days (I thought this was necessary to prevent antibiotic resistance?) - and often 10+ days for tooth infections. In my experience, there's no way a serious gum infection will be cleared with 3 days' worth!

Yeah, I need a new dentist I think! I'm NHS and cant afford private unfortunately so going to try and get an urgent appointment on Monday.

Oh….that’s a shame.

It may not cost a lot, perhaps £80 for a consult ? And a bit of treatment, a bit extra - so sorry I don’t know your situation but teeth are quite important aren’t they.

I might bite the bullet and pay as a one off but I'm going to see if I can get in somewhere as an urgent appointment first 🤞

bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/oropharyngeal-infections-antibacterial-therapy.html

It looks like your dentist is following the guidelines. I'd take the metronidazole and see how you go after 3 days

@Nengineer by ED I hope you don't mean the emergency department. I'm sure you know this already OP but if you're taking metro do not drink any alcohol as you'll get really sick and take them with food

3 days is the new guidelines for antibiotic prescription for a dental infection

But you need to have treatment. The dentist needs to address the cause of infection. If theres pus it needs draining, if theres something stuck it needs cleaning etc. You need to go back and push for treatment of your infection, if the dentist is saying something is stuck under the gum then they need to remove it!

And what is that? The total lack of medical or dental care? I can use my insurance to see a dentist immediately or if I prefer, wait a few hours for my insurance. Or, if it's even better to save every penny even if it's going to be reimbursed, wait for payment if the dentist isn't an Axa recognized

@Nengineer right. Not very helpful on this thread tho isit.

I will either try and get an urgent appointment tomorrow or go back Monday depending on how things are as its been ten days or so now since it started. I was initially given incorrect advice by an emergency dentist who said she couldn't see any infection and to just do salt water rinses for 2-3 weeks 😳 After a week I was still in pain so went to my normal dentist who didn't bother to actually clean the area at all, just send me off with amoxicillin. I really need a better dentist

Thanks forthe advice everyone, much appreciated.

I cant get my metronidazole prescription till Monday now. The alcohol thing won't be an issue as I rarely drink anyway. I really hope they work as I'm ready to pull my own teeth out at the moment...