Infected wisdom tooth

[GodlessAstronomer]

Both of my wisdom teeth are impacted, not a big deal, although I intend to get them both removed when I'm working full time. But the one on the right has become swollen and very painful over the last day or two. Thanks to the wonders of the intertubes I have self-diagnosed an infected wisdom tooth.

I intend to see the university docs today to get some antibiotics. Does anyone know how long it will take for the swelling and pain to go away on antibiotics? It's pretty damn painful Clinic opens in 1hr 12mins.

 

[nakedfrog]

1-5 days? Would still need to continue treatment as prescribed so they can take the tooth out of course.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Yeah I likely won't get the tooth removed for a couple of years, it's just too expensive. Impacted wisdom teeth are not a major deal at my age, but infections are an unfortunate side effect of not getting rid of them.

 

[moshquerade]

google up Ludwig's Angina

 

[olds]

It's likely infected because of all the shit you spew out of your mouth.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Try using mouthwash in addition to whatever antibiotics you get.
Will help kill more germs and the alcohol will numb the area a bit.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Try using mouthwash in addition to whatever antibiotics you get.
Will help kill more germs and the alcohol will numb the area a bit.

Thanks for the tip.

Originally posted by: moshquerade
google up Ludwig's Angina

:Q

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Try using mouthwash in addition to whatever antibiotics you get.
Will help kill more germs and the alcohol will numb the area a bit.

Thanks for the tip.

Originally posted by: moshquerade
google up Ludwig's Angina

:Q

yeh, for the dumbest person on this forum (registered remark by you) it's amazing i can come up with some thing like that.

the reason i pointed you in that direction is because, even though you don't think you can afford the extraction(s), i don't think you should wait. it's dangerous to wait especially with the super bacteria we have around that antibiotics don't always have the upper hand with.

maybe just get the infected wisdom tooth out and set up a payment plan with the oral surgeon?

 

[nakedfrog]

I thought you had socialized medicine in New Zealand?

 

[shocksyde]

This used to happen to me, it would only last a day or two.

 

[wiredspider]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
It's likely infected because of all the shit you spew out of your mouth.

this

Though seriously, if they are impacted, health insurance might cover it (which is usually better than dental coverage)

 

[sandorski]

Ibuprofen(some will disagree with that, it's what I use though) or, even better, Tylenol 3 for pain.

 

[soydios]

warm saltwater wash, Advil, and antibiotics are what you should be taking now, or at least that's what I took when the gums over my wisdom tooth got infected. my tooth was coming in straight, but it still had a flap of gum skin on top of it that got really sensitive.

 

[Wheezer]

dude, trust me get it pulled now.....go to a local health clinic if you have to, if it gets any more infected it could possibly get into your blood stream and then you are seriously fucked.

 

[wwswimming]

i had a wisdom tooth removed at the dental school at the SF General hospital
about 15 years ago.

no anaesthesia. sounded like a large carrot breaking. cost $20.

my other wisdom tooth removals were more expensive but less painful.

 

[JS80]

I will pray for you to recover quickly.

 

[RaistlinZ]

You need to get the tooth out. You don't want the infection spreading around your gums.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

I have a friend at work who had an infected wisdom tooth, it has taken her almost two weeks and two courses of antibiotics to recover (she got the tooth out immediately).


Chlorhexidine mouthwashes are pretty good, although you need to do it about half an hour after brushing.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I thought you had socialized medicine in New Zealand?

Not dental.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Okay thanks for the advice guys. Got some antibiotics from the doc and I'm going to get this thing extracted in a week or two when the swelling has gone down.

 

[OCGuy]

Pfffft. If you were GodfearingAstronomer, this would have never happened.

 

[daishi5]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Ibuprofen(some will disagree with that, it's what I use though) or, even better, Tylenol 3 for pain.

Start with this, it is what my dentist put me on for my tooth. Then see your dentist, as soon as possible. It is almost impossible to diagnos these things yourself, the nerves are so close together that you will often make mistakes about the source of the problem. Also, several different problems can all feel like the same things, infections have one symptom that is pretty clear, the gum will swell and your tooth will hit early, causing it to be the first one to make contact with the upper teeth, and it will hurt to an amazing degree.

I was absolutely sure my dentist was wrong, I thought he was 4 teeth in front of the problem. However, I trusted the expert, and I am pain free.

Also, if Ibuprofen works, you need to see your dentist, do not use it for long periods of time to self medicate because long term use can cause premanent damage.

Edit: nevermind I see you already went to see someone.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: daishi5

Originally posted by: sandorski
Ibuprofen(some will disagree with that, it's what I use though) or, even better, Tylenol 3 for pain.

Start with this, it is what my dentist put me on for my tooth. Then see your dentist, as soon as possible. It is almost impossible to diagnos these things yourself, the nerves are so close together that you will often make mistakes about the source of the problem. Also, several different problems can all feel like the same things, infections have one symptom that is pretty clear, the gum will swell and your tooth will hit early, causing it to be the first one to make contact with the upper teeth, and it will hurt to an amazing degree.

I was absolutely sure my dentist was wrong, I thought he was 4 teeth in front of the problem. However, I trusted the expert, and I am pain free.

Also, if Ibuprofen works, you need to see your dentist, do not use it for long periods of time to self medicate because long term use can cause premanent damage.

Edit: nevermind I see you already went to see someone.

Interesting. Your first paragraph describes my situation well, my gums are very swollen and the pain is very bad. The doc took a quick look in my mouth and said he thinks it's an infection and gave me antibiotics (Augmentin) and told me to take ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) for the pain.

What's this about ibuprofen causing permanent damage? I have been using it a couple of times a day for about a month for some unrelated pain. I should probably go do some reading.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

To keep in line with alot of posts by the OP aren't we just all suppose to say who gives a shit?

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: JS80
I will pray for you to recover quickly.

I hope this was intentional, I just cracked the hell up, best post in a LONG time.

touche!

All I have to say about his situation is GOD works in mysterious ways. I had an impacted Wisdom tooth a few weeks ago myself.