Teeth!

[Fern Hopper]

I recently developed a very obvious abscess under a tooth. Dentist didn't want to prescribe antibiotics. So I accepted that I would have to have the offending tooth extracted. However, at the subsequent visit, dentist thought tooth could be saved, and it was drilled and filled. Within 2 weeks, during which time I could not chew that side, my face swelled rather alarmingly. Dentist was then unavailable and I had to beg GP, by using my elderly card, then using my type 1 diabetic card and eventually using my recovering from cancer card to prescribe antibiotics. Within 48 hours swelling had gone down, I can now chew that side and I am feeling better.
I am now wondering what to do next? Trust dentist to remove tooth? Get a 2nd opinion? Leave it?
Very annoyed that for the sake of some very cheap antibiotics I have had to suffer for 4 weeks.

 

[Fern Hopper]

I ran out of cards!

 

[Outlier]

If it were my experience, I'd first off let the dentist know and see what he offers by way of amends. It is really bad that you have had to go through this, but sometimes professionals foul up just like the rest of us, and if he is a decent dentist he will be horrified at what has happened. If he isn't and doesn't, you know to start looking for a better dentist.

Good for you for persisting and getting the ABs required. Honestly, the way some medical professionals fight shy of prescribing them, when clearly they are very much needed, is a disgrace. I've had this happen with an eye infection.

 

[TheSecretCarbAddict]

I've had a similar experience about 3 or 4 years ago. Was being passed around between dentist, 111, and GP for a couple of weeks and ended up in A&E with a massive double chin when I normally don't have one. Had to be scheduled for an emergency operation as the infection had gotten that bad due to lack of timely intervention with antibiotics. The tooth had to come out, and I still have a scar on my chin to remind me of the related abscess that had to be drained.