I am a 25 year old female. I had a terrible toothache with slight swelling of the gums roughly 4 weeks ago. I went to the dentist who said I had an infection in my upper wisdom tooth and that it should be refered to a specialist and be removed. He gave me antibiotics and anti-imflamatory pain pills. The pain pills didnt work and I got stronger ones from the pharmacist. I went to the specialist just after the antibiotics had finished and the pain had gone away. He said to make an appoinment to have all my Wisdom teeth out. I have made the appointment but the earliest date I could get is the 10th of November. Over the last 3-4 days there has been a dull ache in that tooth and the tooth in front of it. It is not exactly painful just sensitive if I bite on that side.
My questions are these. Do you think it is another infection? Will the dentist refuse to operate if there is an infection? Must I see the dentist before my operation to remove the teeth to maybe get more antibiotics? I really cant afford this but I will not be able to afford more time off work if he refuses to operate because there is an infection? Please help I am hopelessly lost and confused as what to do.
– Jennifer from South Africa
Dear Jennifer,
It’s not essential, but it’s a good idea for the infection to be under control when the tooth is extracted. Some dentists will want the infection to be under control before the extraction. But more important is that this infection could get really nasty if it’s allowed to come back. Yes, your infection is coming back and you need to get back on the antibiotics and take them from now until you’re done with the extractions.
You should be able to call your dentist that gave you the prescription and tell him that you ran out and you need more, and that you need enough to get you to the time of your appointment and four or five days past. And he should be able to just phone that in without your needing another office visit. But if he won’t do that, you should go to the specialist and get that done. And I would do that as soon as you can.
These infections in your back teeth can travel to your brain or down your neck, and can cause swelling that cuts off your breathing. I wouldn’t trifle with them. And antibiotics alone will only control them – they never eliminate an infection when it comes from a tooth – you have to eliminate the cause or you still have the infection, even if the symptoms aren’t active.
– Dr. Hall
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About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.
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