The toothache pain decreased but do i need antibiotic treatment ( Expert opinion only please )?!
Question: The toothache pain decreased but do i need antibiotic treatment ( Expert opinion only please ).?
I am an allopathic doctor.I had bad teeth since childhood.So i got multple caries. My second molar became caried. Then i had a filling done but i feel that the tooth was slightly cracked then.After several treatments, I had a metallic crown placed over it. Recently the crown came off, about 5 months ago. But the silver filling is stll there. I havent had a root canal operation done yet.
Now 4 days before , i had a tooth ache. it was persistent, though not exactly throbbing in nature. I didnt take pain killers to decrease the intensity of pain so that if the pain increased i knew i was dealing with something serious. also my brother ( who is also an allopathic doctor ) suggested not taking Antibiotics so that i dont form a dental abscess ( due to the pus formed after treatment ). I tolerated the pain and the pain subsided. I used to feel that it was a gingivitis though it used to pain severely when i used to press my tongue on it. I feel the pain was due to the crack in the tooth but i may be wrong here. The pain decreased in intensity everyday since the last 4 days. Today however i have minimal pain on pressing my tongue on the tooth ( which i feel suggests that the nerve is still alive ) but i have a swelling of my gum on the lateral side. I tried pressing it but it doesnt look fluctuant. Pressing on it suggest its firm. The pain has decreased in intensity considerably but this swelling has arose. I am concerned about this swelling.I have a slightly tender submandibular Lymph node ( 1 cm in diameter ) which i feel is only a reaction to the acute inflammation.
My questions are
1) Is this dental abscess ( even though pain has decreased and i feel that nerve is still alive , or just a body reaction to an inflammation resulting in swelling )
2) I know i need to go to a dentist soon but i have an exam in 8 days. And i will be returning to my home country in 2 months. I dont have a insurance here in US. Can i wait for this much time using conservative treatment.
3.) Can i take antibiotics now .? I am concerned if there is any infection i am overlooking. I dont want a dental abscess at any cost. also i cant afford to go to a dentist soon enough because of my exam of 2 days and i dont want a nagging dental pain before my exam. ( My pain is already of less intensity ). If i take antibiotics now then will it develop into a dental abscess .? I dont have any fever now.
4) The swelling wasnt there for 3 days but suddenly when i woke up today, its there. Whats the reason.
For your reference i am attaching a picture of the swollen gum
http://i37.tinypic.com/2ztbpq8.jpgHealth Question & Answer
Now 4 days before , i had a tooth ache. it was persistent, though not exactly throbbing in nature. I didnt take pain killers to decrease the intensity of pain so that if the pain increased i knew i was dealing with something serious. also my brother ( who is also an allopathic doctor ) suggested not taking Antibiotics so that i dont form a dental abscess ( due to the pus formed after treatment ). I tolerated the pain and the pain subsided. I used to feel that it was a gingivitis though it used to pain severely when i used to press my tongue on it. I feel the pain was due to the crack in the tooth but i may be wrong here. The pain decreased in intensity everyday since the last 4 days. Today however i have minimal pain on pressing my tongue on the tooth ( which i feel suggests that the nerve is still alive ) but i have a swelling of my gum on the lateral side. I tried pressing it but it doesnt look fluctuant. Pressing on it suggest its firm. The pain has decreased in intensity considerably but this swelling has arose. I am concerned about this swelling.I have a slightly tender submandibular Lymph node ( 1 cm in diameter ) which i feel is only a reaction to the acute inflammation.
My questions are
1) Is this dental abscess ( even though pain has decreased and i feel that nerve is still alive , or just a body reaction to an inflammation resulting in swelling )
2) I know i need to go to a dentist soon but i have an exam in 8 days. And i will be returning to my home country in 2 months. I dont have a insurance here in US. Can i wait for this much time using conservative treatment.
3.) Can i take antibiotics now .? I am concerned if there is any infection i am overlooking. I dont want a dental abscess at any cost. also i cant afford to go to a dentist soon enough because of my exam of 2 days and i dont want a nagging dental pain before my exam. ( My pain is already of less intensity ). If i take antibiotics now then will it develop into a dental abscess .? I dont have any fever now.
4) The swelling wasnt there for 3 days but suddenly when i woke up today, its there. Whats the reason.
For your reference i am attaching a picture of the swollen gum
http://i37.tinypic.com/2ztbpq8.jpgHealth Question & Answer
Answers:
go to a dentist immediatelyHealth Question & Answer