HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Is It Safe To Go For Swimming After Treatment For Abscess On The Gums ?

Hello, In January, I had root canal treatment on a premolar (number 25?). When I went back to have the crown fitted, my dentist decided she needed to do a root canal treatment on the adjacent molar (number 26), which had caused the problem in the first place (cavity spreading from that molar to the premolar). As I live abroad, and could only go back to have the crown fitted at the beginning of March, she put a heavy-duty temporary dressing on. Unfortunately, I was unable to go back in March. At the end of March, the dressing was beginning thinner, and one evening, the cap sealing the tooth moved: I had to yank it back on. Over the course of the next days, the gum above that tooth became tender and I eventually developed an abscess , the size of a molar. The lymph node under the same side of the jaw was also swollen and tender. I managed to see a dentist where I am (hard work!). She removed what was left of the dressing, cleaned the inside of the tooth, put a new dressing on, and, after some hesitation, lanced the abscess (not very easy as you had to press very hard to get something to come out, and then it was more blood than pus, yuk!). She gave me a prescription of amoxicillin 250mg, 3 times a day for 5 days, and told me to do mouthwashs with salt water, and to keep pressing the abscess to try and evacuate the pus if I could. I did as told, except for the abscess pressing which did not seem to work very well. The antibiotic worked like magic and the abscess had completely disappeared by the end of the 3rd day. It s now been 5 days since the end of the treatment, and I m wondering whether I could start going to the swimming pool again, before I see my dentist in 2 weeks time. When I had my wisdom teeth extracted, I was banned from swimming for 2 weeks when all went well, and a whole month when the wound for one of them didn t heal and became infected. I feel well now, the molar is no longer wobbly and the gum has healed where the dentist lanced it. Thanks in advance. Regards.
Fri, 13 Apr 2012
Report Abuse
Dentist, Orthodontics 's  Response
What has happened is retrograde infection due to prolonged dressing after the start of the RCT. Usually it is best to complete the root canal treatment with a couple of days in between dressing. Dressings are usually done to make sure there is no remnant infection. What has happened is Periapical abcess because of not getting the RCT completed. Now you can go swimming but you have to end the RCT with permanent filling and go for a crown. The tooth was mobile because of infection. Now that the infection is under control so it is become tight. Please do not take it easy and get the RCT completed otherwise the infection in all probability will be back.
I find this answer helpful
Dentist, Endodontics Dr. Himanshu Govil's  Response
Hello,


Firstly, Swimming is not related to your Root Canal Treatment.

Secondly, get your Treatment finished as early as possible to prevent the formation of periapical abscess again.Because that will subsequently increase the total treatment duration.
Also continue the mouth washes with salt water, that will help you. Don't forget to get it crowned.


Get well Soon.


With Regards,

Dr. Himanshu Govil
I find this answer helpful
Dentist Dr. Vishal Jain's  Response
Hi,

I am very happy to see your long and elaborated dental history.

Swelling and mobility in the tooth appeared due to the acute exacerbation of chronic infection in the tooth.
once dentist puncture the abscess and put you on antibiotic thats why you got the relief.

About swimming there is no contraindication but the precaution you have to take is get your treatment finished as soon as possible. so that such periapical infection will not occur again.

Thanks,
Dr. Vishal jain.


I find this answer helpful

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Abscess


Loading Online Doctors....
Is It Safe To Go For Swimming After Treatment For Abscess On The Gums ?

What has happened is retrograde infection due to prolonged dressing after the start of the RCT. Usually it is best to complete the root canal treatment with a couple of days in between dressing. Dressings are usually done to make sure there is no remnant infection. What has happened is Periapical abcess because of not getting the RCT completed. Now you can go swimming but you have to end the RCT with permanent filling and go for a crown. The tooth was mobile because of infection. Now that the infection is under control so it is become tight. Please do not take it easy and get the RCT completed otherwise the infection in all probability will be back.