I have anxiety disorder and a dental phobia. I waited to see a dentist until I had a serious problem with a tooth and needed a root canal. I got the first installment of the root canal and it wasn't that bad. However, about a week and 1/2 later, I started getting pain again until my face was swollen and I was in terrible pain. I always worried about the actual visit to the dentist, never about complications from a procedure. Now, here I sit in pain and scared and just want someone to hold my hand and tell me it will be alright.
While visiting my daughter across the country this past week, I started having problems with the treated tooth. It started with just a feeling a pressure and then progressed to a swollen face. I called my dentist and he prescribed antibiotics and pain reliever that I could get while on vacation. He asked me to call him when I got back in a couple of days. Thank God for Vicodin! It got me through the plane ride home, which my dentist was concerned would be painful because of the change in pressure in the cabin. It wasn't too bad, but the swelling increased last night and today. I saw my dentist today and he said he wanted the antibiotics to do their work before he opened the tooth and cleaned it. My gums are swollen and there is no hard area like I've read about, but tonight, now that the swelling is starting to recede, I do notice a very large blister on my gum. Does anyone know if I should call my dentist again to let him know or should I wait the five days until my appointment? Even my neck is swollen - the glands are all sore. He did tell me that it's because they are "doing their job." I don't think he noticed the blister when he looked.
Having the pain and swelling is bad enough, but with anxiety disorder, it's a real nightmare for me. Any words of comfort?
The white bump is actually the infection making its way out of your jawbone which is actually a good thing. Root canals can often have that delayed effect of acting up days after treatment. Often if a tooth has been infected for a long period of time the bacteria present can become more resistent to treatment. It is important to stay on the schedule of appointments your dentist suggests.
The antibiotics take a few days to kick in so make sure you don't miss one pill and take them until they're finished. Use warm salt water rinses. Is the bump draining on the gum? Do you see any pus coming out of it? I would call him and tell him about your swollen face. Let him see you, sometimes they change the antibiotic but let him decide.
Thanks so much for the replies. There is one big, long blister and I think I saw a white bump, but no hard spot. It's hard to tell because it's all the way in the back. Today, I actually got by on Advil instead of Vicodin until around 5pm. It always seems to hurt worse at night. The salt water rinses help, as well as putting a hot, wet face towel on the area. I just can't wait for this to be over!!! It feels like I've been in pain forever. I did feel well enough to vacuum and take the dog for a slow walk today, so it is getting better.
The dentist actually did see my face when he did his evaluation yesterday. The swelling is going down and it's hurting less. I'm so relieved. I was so scared. Your replies helped alot.
Abcess after root canal 
