abscessed wisdom tooth?

Question

I have an abscessed wisdom tooth and wont be able to afford to get it pulled for at least a month. I have about a weeks worth of antibiotics (penicillin 500mg) under direction to take them every six hours. I went to a free clinic and I wasn't told much about my situation. After some research I have found that this can be a serious problem and that the draining of an abscess and the ingestion of the infection can be fatal. Will the antibiotics protect me? Will the antibiotics remove the infection completely? How would I know if it was draining, what symptoms should I look out for that would indicate such? I'm freaking out here ..

Answer 1

Antibiotics have a "tail"...that is, they work or continue to have an effect after you finish taking them.

They do not remove the infection completely; only the extraction will do that, but it can knock it down for at least a month (i've seen people who forget to show up for the extraction, and the antibiotics end up being good for 6-12 months!)

Ingestion is not fatal. The infectious material circulating in your system is not GOOD, but if you have an intact immune system (ie, you don't have HIV or are recovering from an organ transplant) you will be fine. if the material DOES drain into your mouth, while gross, this won't hurt you. it is not fatal; it will get dissolved entirely by stomach acid...

now, sometimes the abx aren't strong enough... if you have pain and swelling after 48 hrs, call the clinic and ask if you need a new antibiotic. the only way the whole thing can be fatal is if the swelling moves INWARDS and closes off your airway. if you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to the ER immediately

otherwise you'll be fine!

Answer 2

It is not a good idea to try and have the tooth removed. The infection in the toothe would cause the tooth area not to be numbed enough unless you go to a dental surgeon. All dentists that I know will give antibiotics for at a week to ten days before the tooth is removed and then an antibiotic after having the tooth removed. If you are taking an antibiotic and using it correctly then I do not feel that you will have any problems with a secondary infection. Do as your dentist instructs, if you have questions ask your dentist, if you do not feel comfortable with the answer you get ask another dentist until you feel satisfied. Remember take the antibiotics faithfully as prescribed and if you have any problems what so ever return to the clinic. At this point, I believe that you are following the correct instructions. Take care. Be informed.

Answer 3

Hate to say it, but you need to find a way to afford it or just pay it off later. It's not something that should be left to sit for that long. I probably had an abscess November of last year with an old fracture that worsened and needed a root canal. Only way they could figure it may have been an abscess was that it hurt terribly, my whole head hurt, especially at night! : (

I ended up on the antibiotics too for a week before they'd even touch it. There is no way I could have waited for another month. Hopefully the antibiotics should clear up the infection, so doubtful that it will get to a harmful stage or anything unless it worsens. I think those who end up in trouble are those that just let it go and get to that point. But do keep an eye on it and get it worked on SOON.

Answer 4

The antibiotics should bring the abscess down. It will give you relief until you can have your tooth worked on. Don't worry about the poison from the abscess. The fact that you have the antibiotics in your system will take care of the infection. Just don't try to press on the abscess if it is visible to the naked eye.

Answer 5

Mouthwash and gently brush several times a day with HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, it is extremely healing and kills pain also.

It is a cheap Dentist recommended mouth wash.