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Suggest Treatment For Abscess In Upper Jaw And Swelling In Face

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Posted on Thu, 23 Apr 2015
Question: I took my husband to an urgent care center 1st thing this morning due to symptoms of extreme facial swelling. The PA said it was a textbook case of tooth abscess. He prescribed penicillin. Later this afternoon he fell asleep on the affected (swollen) side of his face for a few hours, and when he awoke the swelling is much worse than this morning. Could the worsened swelling be attributed to the added pressure applied while he slept on that side? Or must we allow more time for the antibiotics to take effect?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Abscess in the upper jaw requires more attention

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome. I understand your concern.
If possible please upload a picture of the face and let me know the name and doses of the medicines to enable me to give a better opinion.
If the lesion is in the upper jaw, infection is spreading and if he has fever, it would be better to see a dentist. If the abscess is in the lower jaw, it is less dangerous and one may wait for sometime for the antibiotic to take effect.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (23 minutes later)
he started taking the prescribed penicillin vk 500 mg at 11am then again at 5pm then again at 10pm, all today. the affected area is mostly upper jaw, and now, (after he has slept on the swollen right side), seems to have become swollen up to under his right eye. skin is tight and painful. we will will make appt to see the dentist but how long must we wait until we do that?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
See a dentist ASAP

Detailed Answer:
Since it is in the upper jaw and spreading to the eye, it is in the dangerous area of the face.
He requires stronger antibiotic and I think he should see a dentist without waiting.
Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Noble Zachariah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 2319 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Abscess In Upper Jaw And Swelling In Face

Brief Answer: Abscess in the upper jaw requires more attention Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome. I understand your concern. If possible please upload a picture of the face and let me know the name and doses of the medicines to enable me to give a better opinion. If the lesion is in the upper jaw, infection is spreading and if he has fever, it would be better to see a dentist. If the abscess is in the lower jaw, it is less dangerous and one may wait for sometime for the antibiotic to take effect.