Dental Abscess - very worried

[MiladyDeWinter]

It started on Friday and I got some antibiotics on Sunday evening, Amoxicillin 500 mg and Metronidazole 400 mg. The tooth affected has a filling and at first the pain was concentrated there.

Since Sunday the infection has moved downwards, giving me a very swollen and tender jaw and neck. The pain in my tooth is better but still bad. I now have co-codamol to take alongside Nurofen which is bringing it under control - just.

My dentist's receptionist said that they won't see me until I've finished the AB course (finishes Saturday and I have an appointment for Monday) but I'm getting really worried because it doesn't appear to be clearing the infection up. Also, if I have to have a tooth out it has to be done in hospital as I bleed a lot.

Is this a normal amount of time to see what is very little improvement? I'm petrified that it'll be weeks until I can get an appointment to take the bloody tooth out and terrified that the infection will spread to my jaw in the meantime.

Just wondering if I should ring again and ask to be seen and checked by an actual dentist.

TIA

I would definitely ask to be checked. Don't be fobbed off. The doc presumably gave you the anti-bs, maybe you need to tell the doc that the infection is getting worse.

Go straight back to the dentist, if the infection has moved and is affecting your neck it is important that you get seen ASAP. Does it feel as though it affecting your swallowing at all?

If your dentist still refuses to see you, go to A&E, they should have an on call maxillofacial doctor who will be able to arrange to take to tooth out in hospital.

Definately go back to the dentist, even if it is for reassurance. Ive had an absess, its extremely painful and you just dont know what to do with yourself. But; you have to finish the antibiotics before the dentist can do the root canal (I assume thats what they will do?) otherwise it will be too painful and the infection has to be gone before he can build a new tooth. Good luck and hugs to you xx

My neck is painful but just under the jawline and I can swallow and breathe OK. I do want to go to the dentist to have it checked out.

It won't be until later on though that I can get childcare.

I'd rather have the tooth out if possible, it's at the back. I just wish it didn't have a filling - it might have burst otherwise. I have been Googling and reading with considerable envy of the relief people have had when this happens!

Thanks for the advice and sympathy

In my experiance with dental abscess, it has settled right down on the last day of the antibiotics.