Tooth abscess

I too have dentist phobia,and for many many years had sedation from my GP when the need arose.
However I got a lovely lady dentist who asked my to tell her what had happened to make me in such a panic which I did.
She's been very patient over the last 6 or so years and now I don't need a sedative!
Just try to break it down into tiny steps,and chances are you will need antibiotics for a week at least,that gives you time to go to the dr and get some sedation.Good luck.

Also can I say it does sound as though you're frightened of your reaction and I too understand that.A fully competent woman who panics at the dentist.Try to explain,even write it down and hand the note to them.And ask your Dr for something to keep you calm, just a one off,honestly,it really helps.

Talking from experience you have an infection down on the nerve and will need antibiotics first, then you will ned dental treatment. So get the antibiotics this will at lest get rid of the pain but you will need to follow up with the dental treatment or it will come back. So what can you do? Get an an appointment and admit about how scared you are. You might even be able to sedation and good luck.

keffie that really isn't a helpful response. nanagem has done exactly the right thing by sourcing antibiotics from her GP (who knows her well). She is already aware that she needs to do something.

Hope it goes OK for you nanagem. The dentist will be fine I'm sure, and the chairs go way way down so you will easily be able to slide on from your wheelchair. Just keep thinking how good you will feel without that awful pain. They may want to wait until your antibiotics are finished but they are the best ones to advise you on that.

And remember that you have loads of gransnetters holding your hand when you do get there.

I agree, Nanagem - have been to a hospital A&E on a Sunday years ago with an abscess and, once they'd checked what was wrong, they simply prescribed antibiotics without carrying out any actual dental work which isn't too scary. Good luck!

As somebody who nearly died as child with a undiagnosed n tooth abscess which turned into meningitis, I understand where keffie is coming from even if she is a little harsh.

I hope you get to your dentist ASAP, and how fortunate you have a GP who was willing to prescribe antibiotics. I can see where Keffie was coming from, septicaemia is a very real risk when infection gets a hold. Other posters have explained what to expect and I sincerely hope you take their advice and get to a dentist to have your problem sorted properly. You can take Ibroprofen and Paracetamol alternativly to help relieve pain. Maximum dosage 8x 24 hrs .

Oh my goodness, poor you, this takes me back.

I had an abscess become unbearable on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend 30 years ago, two weeks after giving birth and already in zombie mode from baby feeding every hour and refusing to sleep. In those pre-internet days a friend suggested ringing the hospital and I was able to go in immediately to have the abscess drained. A course of antibiotics sorted out the infection and my usual dentist then did root canal treatment under conscious sedation. Do take different painkillers alternately and I hope you feel better very soon.

So sorry to hear you are suffering, but can sympathise re your fear of dentists. I find nowadays if you are honest and tell them how scared you are, they are usually more patient with you. My last two dentists were great and tried very hard to not cause me any undue pain.

As most folk have said, you probably need a course of antibiotics first, so you should have time to find a sympathetic dentist. Good luck xx

Thank you for all your support, I thought I would let you know that I have been to the dentist, and all is well.

The antibiotics helped by Monday it was painful but okish. I went to the dentist this morning, they were lovely, a young man (alway helps !), who lowered the chair right down and helped me transfer from my wheelchair to the dentist chair with the utmost care and I didn’t feel at all rushed or dare I say pitied which is something I hate. One tooth out, and an appointment to go back in a couple of weeks to do a more detailed examination and follow on treatment.

I don’t know why I got worked up, yes I feel sore now, and rather woozy, a horrid taste in my mouth, can’t drink until late pm, and eat soft food tonight, but I can live with that.

Feel quite please with myself, and I think I owe my DH, and family a treat this weekend for putting up with me.

Good news - well done!
I can still remember the physical relief when I had an abscessed tooth removed .

Nanagem, well done. For years I hated the dentist having come from a drill and fill regime where it was considered unnecessary to numb the area. However, I've found a wonderful dentist who is so careful and has, on occasions, sent me for a sedation.

We are very lucky that we live in a country where we don't have to have a tooth pulled out without anaesthetic or hygiene by an old guy in the market place with a pair of rusty pliers! Many people in the world still have to endure that. We all hate the dentist but let's be grateful

Glad to hear you've got through it all Nanagem

Oh I am sparklefizz, I am. We are very lucky really in many things.

Ok, so I’ve had a bad night, lots of pain, and this morning my face is even more swollen and a lot of pain, it’s a molar in bottom jaw.

Is this normal does anyone know

It's not unusual to have a lot of pain after a tooth extraction. I remember after my wisdom tooth was taken out I was "24 hours rolling in pain" (Beatles - Cold Turkey) in spite of all painkillers, and it took its time to settle even after I could actually get out of bed again lol. But one condition to look out for that can especially cause pain after an extraction is something called "dry socket" which is when the blood clot that is meant to be in the hole has either not formed or has come out. This can be caused by rinsing the mouth too vigorously. All rinsing after extraction must be just a gentle swill around. If you get this, then you need to see the dentist again.

I meant to ask, are you still on the antibiotics? I hope so, because an operation can spread any remaining germs that were still hanging about after the abscess felt better.

Yes I’m still on the antibiotics, which have upset my stomach a little, just to add insult to injury. Not that I can really eat, yoghurt / banana/ is the order of the day, I’m so sick of soup. My daughter has made me a chocolate blancmange bless her.

How are you this morning, feeling better hopefully.
My DD is suffering with an infection at the moment, she had dental work carried out last Friday and over the bank holiday weekend it started to hurt and she had to have an emergency appointment on the Tuesday and take two more days off work she was in so much pain and hadn't slept properly for three nights and was exhausted. When i spoke to her yesterday for a progress report she said it was a lot calmer with the antibiotics and painkillers and she was able to return to work. Hope they sort it for her as she goes on holiday for two weeks next Thursday and the last thing you need is a dodgy tooth when going away.