Abscess problem - Dental Health Message Board

crjcat982 · 01-18-2008, 10:08 PM

I have an abscess tooth and now there is a boil underneath the tooth in my gums. Thursday I went to the dentist and he drilled into the back of the tooth to allow the infection to drain, but does this mean that he didn't drill deep enough? Also, I was prescribed Clindamycin which is now giving me hives, which is the only side effect that is obvious so far. I called the office for emergency care at 11:06pm tonight but apparantly they don't take calls after 11:00pm... But I was able to leave a message for them to return my call in the morning. I'm a little worried about going to sleep with my gums swollen like this, I have heard horror stories. Any advice would be great.

bergerbaby · 01-19-2008, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crjcat982

I have an abscess tooth and now there is a boil underneath the tooth in my gums. Thursday I went to the dentist and he drilled into the back of the tooth to allow the infection to drain, but does this mean that he didn't drill deep enough? Also, I was prescribed Clindamycin which is now giving me hives, which is the only side effect that is obvious so far. I called the office for emergency care at 11:06pm tonight but apparantly they don't take calls after 11:00pm... But I was able to leave a message for them to return my call in the morning. I'm a little worried about going to sleep with my gums swollen like this, I have heard horror stories. Any advice would be great.

when he done this, didnt he give you a course of anti biotics? well ,for now if you cannot get to doctors who will give you anti biotics, gargle with warm salt water ,and get some cordysil mouth wash and some pain killers,hopefully that will ,sort you out until you can get to dentist,but they wont do nothing though until the abcess has gone ,but generally they give you anti biotics to get rid

i wish you luck ,

willybrown · 01-19-2008, 12:33 PM

If you have 'hives' you are allergic to Clindamycin. Do not ever take it again, because the result could be life -threatening. You should notify the dentist of this reaction.
Large infections, Abcesses, take some time to resolve. Usually 2-3 days before results are seen... this typically should be done before the tooth is accessed for 'drainage" or a root canal treatment is given. But draining the infection will allow it to clear up faster, especially if the correct antibiotic is prescribed.
No need to worry about sleeping in this condition. Horror stories from other patients are just that. They do not apply to everyone. It is an individual thing...
Hopefully the dentist opened the right tooth.. And hopefully that entist offers good follow-up care.

Good luck with it. And be careful about the suggestion that you may need a crown on that tooth after root canal treatment is completed. It is just not necessary in all cases. It depends on each case indiviually...
You should have been informe of all these things before the tooth was cut into. Ask a lot of questions before and during your dental procedures. You have the right to be informed before you make decisions.
Again, good luck with it.