Dental abscess advice

[Ladyem]

I have had trouble with a particular tooth for a while now. Had to have it filled twice and while I was pg last year the filling fell out. My dentist would only do a temporary filling - which he did by just putting some white putty stuff in the hole, no drilling or cleaning - and said he'd do a proper job once I'd had the baby and stopped breast feeding.

Anyway, long story short, I've been back a few times and they have refused to fix it while I was breastfeeding, so I have changed dentists as I now have a large swelling in my jaw. Lovely new dentist diagnosed an abscess and suggested taking it out at the hospital as I cannot open my mouth wide enough for root canal due to the position of the abscess. All fine with me as I have no pain, just the malteser under my jaw!

I have had one lot of amoxicillin a couple of weeks ago and have been back to my new dentist to get another course this week as the swelling has gotten bigger, but luckily still no pain.

My main questions are (and if you've gotten this far thank you!!!) I keep hearing about how these abscesses should be treated really quickly in case the burst, but I'm not being seen by the hospital for another 2 weeks and that is only the consultation, not the actual treatment. So, how dangerous is it to leave it this long, given that I'm not in pain, just have the large abscess? Also do they have to clear the abscess first before they can pull the tooth? Lastly, is there anything else I should be doing along side the ABs to help? Tried the salt water washes, but hasn't seemed to do anything much!

Thank you in advance!

Bump

Oh god. The worst pain of my life was as a teenager with a dental abscess. Three days of torture.

The abcess is caused by an infection, so I'd have thought they need to clear it sooner rather than later. I was in pain with mine and they drilled the tooth - they had to do it twice as they missed it the first time - and they literally pop the abscess and the gunk comes up into your mouth.

I know this sounds odd, but ever since then I've liked the taste of infection in my mouth - to me, it is the taste of sweet relief.

I don't know what they do when there is a big lump but no pain, sorry. I can only offer sympathy! Btw I think the salt water is only any use after the thing has been drilled, as it's to wash out the infection. Just now, the infection can't be reached with mouthwash.

i would imagine they want the infection to clear up completely before they pull the tooth, this is normally the case in my experience

Thanks for the replies!

Morriszap - I am very lucky that I have no pain with it! Someone I know had one and they were in agony, couldn't sleep etc. I'm trying not to think of the abscess bursting and then it all going in my mouth!! Does it not make you sick if you swallow some of it, being bacteria? I'm hoping that if they need to drain it they will be able to do it from the outside as it is sticking out under my jaw

thisisyesterday - that what I was thinking, so it's probably better that I have taken the ABs before my consultation as hopefully the swelling will be reduced enough for them to contemplate doing it sooner rather than later!

Started the ABs last night and I am now suffering from the lovely side effect of an upset tummy on top of this now!! The abscess has reduced already, though so may be a good sign that they will work this time!

Thanks again!

Ladyem - get some probiotics (activia or similar), they'll help with the upset tummy

Abscesses suck and are regarded as a medical 'emergency' in that they require attention immediately. 'Attention' meaning antibiotics followed by drainage, root canal or removal so you're getting the right treatment, dont worry that it'll be a couple of weeks til they see you, you'll need that for the abs to work properly.

As for the 'gunk' making you sick, its highly unlikely you'll swallow any as they'll be suctioning it away. I had an abcess that burst while I was on abs and was advised to just keep rinsing my mouth with salt water.

Thanks, Pheebes! It's good to know I am on the right course of treatment. I have kept in regular contact with my dentist throughout, but people kept telling me horror stories and I got a bit scared that I wasn't being seen for the tooth extraction fast enough!

Have been doing the yoghurt and will get DH to get me some probiotic tablets from Holland and Barrett. Hopefully it will improve over the next day or so as I've not been able to leave the house!

Right, so keep just taking the ABs and go from there when I'm seen in a couple of weeks!

Thanks again!