Abscess flare up. Need urgent advice from a dentist.

[Ireland77]

Hi, I had an abscess back in February that I was prescribed amoxicillin for, the antibiotics worked perfect, after a week I had no pain and all swelling had completely gone. I was fine all the way up until 4 or 5 days ago where I had a flare up off the same abscess. It has gotten bigger as the days have went on, swelling in lower left cheek/jaw. I’m extremely terrified off getting the tooth taken out as I suffer from an anxiety disorder paired with severe dental phobia. I was wondering if a dentist could tell me if I need another course off antibiotics for this, or can I just use over the counter pain killers to keep the pain down until it eventually ruptures? I have a box off amoxicillin there that I purchased from an online pharmacy, but I’m terrified about taking them because I’ve read stories online about them causing resistance. So I’m really looking to see if a dentist could tell me if I’m ok to take another course off amoxicillin now because I haven’t had a course since February. Thank you in advance, I’m extremely worried and hope I can get a quick reply.

 

[Gordon]

You'd be better off with a different antibiotic such as Metronidazole, but it's OK to take the Amoxyl now, it's been long enough since the last course.

 

[Ireland77]

Appreciate you as always Gordon. Do you think I should get some Metronidazole over taking the amoxicillin? I’ve already taken 2 Amoxicillin so far, and if so, can I just stop taking the Amoxicillin and switch to the Metronidazole instead?

 

[Gordon]

No, if you've started the Amoxyl you should continue with it. If the abscess doesn't get better then switching to Metronidazole might be useful.

 

[Ireland77]

@Gordon just keeping you updated, my abscess exploded yesterday, a lot off disgusting tasting fluid and blood came with it. Immediately rinsed my mouth with salt water after. The pain has completely subsided and I was able to get a full nights sleep last night for the 1st time all week. Have one antibiotic left too take also to complete my 5 day course. Ordered that course off metronizadole and they should be here tomorrow. Do you think I should take them or just leave as is for now as the abscess has ruptured? Look forward to hearing back from you, hope your well.

 

[Gordon]

Leave it for now, especially if you're still getting some draining.

 

[Ireland77]

@Gordon sorry to bother you again, I’m trying to get the courage up to finally go and have this infected tooth extracted. It’s my lower left pre molar, closest to the actual molar. Could you give me an idea off what type off injections I would receive for the extraction and give me a pain rating off those on a scale off 1-10? My dentist doesn’t offer gas and air or any form off sedation either so I’m going to have to white knuckle my way through it.

 

[Gordon]

2nd premolar is the posh name for it. I'd do it with a mental nerve block, plus a drop or two on the gum area on the tongue side to catch any wandering nerve fibres from there.
I'd be really disappointed with myself if you felt much of anything, given some surface anaesthetic and injecting slowly.
Would the dentist be prepared to write you a prescription for some pre-surgery sedation to take the edge off things?
See here: https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/help/sedation-dentistry/oral-sedation/

 

[Ireland77]

Really doesn’t sound too bad seeing as you said you would be disappointed if I felt much off anything, that’s reassuring, thank you Gordon. I’ll ask my dentist and see if there is anything they can prescribe me, I may not be able to take anything with the sertraline I already take but hopefully there is something they can give me. How long would it take to remove that tooth?

 

[Ireland77]

Also, they abscess seem to be around the area where the mental nerve is located and can be tender to touch in that area, would they still give the injection there if that is the case?

 

[Gordon]

Hard to say without looking, probably yes though.
Start to finish to remove a premolar? About 30s or less. Much less time than people think, most of the time