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Suggest Remedies For Gum Infection Post A Dental Work

Posted on Tue, 18 Apr 2017

Question: I have a wisdom tooth coming in at the top of the right side of my mouth. I went to my dentist, and she said I had a gum infection. The submandibular lymph node is also very swollen. This is day 4 of clindamycin, and every for the past few days, I have woken up with extreme pain. I have been alternating motrin and tyelnol but these only provide minimum relief. I have also been taking naproxen which also provides minimal relief. I went to the ER and they did a CT of my neck and found it was not an abscess, just a swollen lymph node. The tooth clearly needs to come out, but what can I be doing for the pain? I havent eaten in days. Even taking a pill is difficult because i just cannot open my mouth enough. I have never been in this much pain

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take stronger painkillers.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Thanks for the query..

It is clear from.your explanation that you have Pericoronitis, that is an inflammation of the gum flap over the wisdom tooth..

As of now take stronger painkillers like Tramadol or Ketorolac as they will surely help in pain relief..
Also do cool compresses over the cheek and warm saline gargles.

Let the pain and Infection get reduced.
Once you start feeling better then you can get an x ray of your wisdom tooth done.

If the tooth is impacted then it will be the best line of Treatment to get the tooth removed for permanent resolution.
This is advisable because the gum Infection can recur around wisdom tooth and cause pain episode again and again..

Please write back for more queries..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

I have already gotten a x-ray which showed gum inflammation. I took pain medication. The lymph node has not reduced in size, and I asked a different oral surgeon who told me that the CT scan may have missed an abscess and that I should go get IV antibitoics. Do you agree with this assesment?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Antibiotics will help in resolving Infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Yes, antibiotics should be taken if it is Abscess or even if not..
If go for i.v route of antibiotics it can help in resolving infection faster..
So there is no harm in i.v. antibiotics..

Hope this helps..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

I am on day 4 of the clindamycin... and I have had 0 relief. I was just switched to metronidazole and azithromycin. How long should I wait before I go to the ER again?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Take stronger painkillers as advised before..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
You should take stronger painkillers like I advised you in previous discussion as antibiotics will not reduce pain..

Antibiotics will help in reducing infection that too gradually..

So for immediate pain relief you need painkillers..

Also take the antibiotics for atleast 5 days and even then if you do not find relief consult an Oral Surgeon..

Please write back for more queries..

Regards..

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana