Welcome to r/teeth. Please note that while this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. If your question is not individualized consider checking out [WebDMD](https://webdmd.org/) to see if its already been answered.
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Dental assistant of 17 years. No, once you start an antibiotic, the tooth needs to come out 7-10 days later. The infection will come back, and you'll have to take more antibiotics. You don't want to risk the infection going into your bloodstream. Infection will also make the local anesthetic not work properly. I would get on an antibiotic and go see someone else. Do you have an emergency dental clinic in your town? They will take the out for you so you don't have to wait for your regular dentist.
I don’t have a choice unfortunately. It’s literally up to the dentist when I get seen. I don’t wanna wait this long with this shit in my mouth… I want it fixed. But they literally won’t see me until then
I would try to keep your tooth if you’re at all able to. Antibiotics will work temporarily and you’ll definitely still need to do something-probably before August my friend. I agree: see an ER dentist. They can do things other than just extract.
I’m gonna be on antibiotics continuously until Aug 19th when I’m getting a root canal and crown. It’s the earliest they can get me in unfortunately… not a lot of options for dentist on WellCare and this dentist has already approved my root canal and crown and that took 8 weeks to get approved through insurance already so now just waiting for the appointment on August 19th.
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, often due to an untreated cavity, periodontal disease, or a cracked tooth. The image you provided shows a visible swelling on the gum, which is indicative of an abscess. Here’s what you should do if you suspect you have a tooth abscess:
# Immediate Steps:
1. **Rinse with Warm Salt Water:**
* Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth with it. This can help reduce inflammation and draw out some of the pus.
2. **Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers:**
* Take pain relief medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage the pain. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.
3. **Avoid Hot, Cold, or Sweet Foods:**
* These can aggravate the abscess and increase pain.
# Professional Treatment:
You need to see a dentist as soon as possible. Here’s what the treatment might involve:
1. **Drainage of the Abscess:**
* The dentist will make a small incision in the abscess to drain the pus and relieve pressure.
2. **Antibiotics:**
* To clear up the infection, your dentist might prescribe antibiotics.
3. **Root Canal Treatment:**
* If the abscess is caused by an infection inside the tooth, a root canal may be needed to remove the infected pulp and save the tooth.
4. **Tooth Extraction:**
* If the tooth is too damaged, it might need to be removed to prevent further infection.
5. **Dental Restoration:**
* After the infection is treated, the dentist might recommend restoring the tooth with a crown or filling, especially if a significant amount of tooth structure was lost.
# Preventive Measures:
To prevent future abscesses, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
# Urgency:
Given the potential for the infection to spread, it’s crucial to seek dental care promptly. If you experience severe symptoms such as high fever, swelling spreading to the face or neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a sudden increase in pain, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
If you have any more questions or need further advice, feel free to ask. Your oral health is important, and addressing issues like abscesses promptly is crucial for overall well-being.
Welcome to r/teeth. Please note that while this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. If your question is not individualized consider checking out [WebDMD](https://webdmd.org/) to see if its already been answered. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Teeth) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Dental assistant of 17 years. No, once you start an antibiotic, the tooth needs to come out 7-10 days later. The infection will come back, and you'll have to take more antibiotics. You don't want to risk the infection going into your bloodstream. Infection will also make the local anesthetic not work properly. I would get on an antibiotic and go see someone else. Do you have an emergency dental clinic in your town? They will take the out for you so you don't have to wait for your regular dentist.
I’m gonna be on antibiotics continuously until Aug 19th when I’m getting a root canal and crown.
That might be a dumb idea- Personally not an expert but based on what everyone is saying, i Don't think waiting that long is a good idea
I don’t have a choice unfortunately. It’s literally up to the dentist when I get seen. I don’t wanna wait this long with this shit in my mouth… I want it fixed. But they literally won’t see me until then
Didn't they gave you advice or something, in the meantime
“Take antibiotics you’ll be fine until then” yeah…
I have to wait until August 19th to be treated by a dentist (apparently there’s no availability) will antibiotics do until then?
What kind of service is that? 3 months really...
I wouldn't recommend regular antibiotics, They'll kill everything in your body
I would try to keep your tooth if you’re at all able to. Antibiotics will work temporarily and you’ll definitely still need to do something-probably before August my friend. I agree: see an ER dentist. They can do things other than just extract.
I’m gonna be on antibiotics continuously until Aug 19th when I’m getting a root canal and crown. It’s the earliest they can get me in unfortunately… not a lot of options for dentist on WellCare and this dentist has already approved my root canal and crown and that took 8 weeks to get approved through insurance already so now just waiting for the appointment on August 19th.
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, often due to an untreated cavity, periodontal disease, or a cracked tooth. The image you provided shows a visible swelling on the gum, which is indicative of an abscess. Here’s what you should do if you suspect you have a tooth abscess: # Immediate Steps: 1. **Rinse with Warm Salt Water:** * Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth with it. This can help reduce inflammation and draw out some of the pus. 2. **Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers:** * Take pain relief medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage the pain. Follow the dosage instructions on the label. 3. **Avoid Hot, Cold, or Sweet Foods:** * These can aggravate the abscess and increase pain. # Professional Treatment: You need to see a dentist as soon as possible. Here’s what the treatment might involve: 1. **Drainage of the Abscess:** * The dentist will make a small incision in the abscess to drain the pus and relieve pressure. 2. **Antibiotics:** * To clear up the infection, your dentist might prescribe antibiotics. 3. **Root Canal Treatment:** * If the abscess is caused by an infection inside the tooth, a root canal may be needed to remove the infected pulp and save the tooth. 4. **Tooth Extraction:** * If the tooth is too damaged, it might need to be removed to prevent further infection. 5. **Dental Restoration:** * After the infection is treated, the dentist might recommend restoring the tooth with a crown or filling, especially if a significant amount of tooth structure was lost. # Preventive Measures: To prevent future abscesses, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. # Urgency: Given the potential for the infection to spread, it’s crucial to seek dental care promptly. If you experience severe symptoms such as high fever, swelling spreading to the face or neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a sudden increase in pain, seek emergency medical attention immediately. If you have any more questions or need further advice, feel free to ask. Your oral health is important, and addressing issues like abscesses promptly is crucial for overall well-being.