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What Causes Trouble Opening Mouth And Painful Swallowing After Draining Molar Abscess?
Question: I have a lower molar Abcess, drained in emergency procedure. Due for extraction in 2 days. On strong antibiotics. Have trouble opening my mouth, painful swallowing and swollen large area under my jaw. I'm concerned re: the mouth opening and swelling. Will the antibiotics cure this?
I am currently on antibiotics, amoxicillin, metronidazole. Painkiller, co codamol. Can't take ibruprofen due to asthma. Pain is receding but swelling and mouth opening(lack of) is concerning
I am currently on antibiotics, amoxicillin, metronidazole. Painkiller, co codamol. Can't take ibruprofen due to asthma. Pain is receding but swelling and mouth opening(lack of) is concerning
Brief Answer:
amoxicillin, chlorzoxazone, extraction.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query. I have gone through the query.
As far as the pain swelling and limited mouth opening is concerned, it is because of the spread of infection to involve the soft tissue spaces(cellulitis). Nothing to be panic, you need to take a course of antibiotics like amoxicillin along with metronidazole (if you are not allergic. You can also take muscle relaxant like chlorzoxazone to improve the mouth opening.
The swelling should come down in 2 days. If there is no reduction in swelling and if there is any difficulty in breathing, then immediately consult a oral maxillofacial sugeon and get the tooth removed. Antibiotics will reduce the swelling and improves the mouth opening but it's a temporary solution. So the tooth has to be removed for a permanent solution.
I hope I have answered your query. If any queries are there, then reply me back. Take care.
amoxicillin, chlorzoxazone, extraction.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query. I have gone through the query.
As far as the pain swelling and limited mouth opening is concerned, it is because of the spread of infection to involve the soft tissue spaces(cellulitis). Nothing to be panic, you need to take a course of antibiotics like amoxicillin along with metronidazole (if you are not allergic. You can also take muscle relaxant like chlorzoxazone to improve the mouth opening.
The swelling should come down in 2 days. If there is no reduction in swelling and if there is any difficulty in breathing, then immediately consult a oral maxillofacial sugeon and get the tooth removed. Antibiotics will reduce the swelling and improves the mouth opening but it's a temporary solution. So the tooth has to be removed for a permanent solution.
I hope I have answered your query. If any queries are there, then reply me back. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you, I am scheduled to have extraction tomorrow. I live in UK. Will the dental surgeon be able to give me muscle relaxant so I can open my jaw?
Brief Answer:
Muscle relaxant, get the tooth removed
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your reply. The limited mouth opening is secondary to the pus formation leading to protective co contraction of the masticatory muscles, so this contraction results in pain. Once you get the tooth removed the pus will drain through the socket and the pressure over the muscles will come down. Later you will be able to open your mouth normally.
Dental surgeon can prescribe the muscle relaxant and it is not given as injection, it will be prescribed in the form of tablets.
With the tooth removal along with these medicines you will be able to open your mouth normally. So go ahead with the treatment. I hope i have answered your query. Take care.
Muscle relaxant, get the tooth removed
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your reply. The limited mouth opening is secondary to the pus formation leading to protective co contraction of the masticatory muscles, so this contraction results in pain. Once you get the tooth removed the pus will drain through the socket and the pressure over the muscles will come down. Later you will be able to open your mouth normally.
Dental surgeon can prescribe the muscle relaxant and it is not given as injection, it will be prescribed in the form of tablets.
With the tooth removal along with these medicines you will be able to open your mouth normally. So go ahead with the treatment. I hope i have answered your query. Take care.
Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Answered by
Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S
Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Practicing since :2007
Answered : 3377 Questions
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