Comments on: is this swelling bad news?

Question: is this swelling bad news?

Flitcraft — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:07:12 -0800

My partner is being treated with antibiotics for an infected root canal but has developed a tender, golf-ball sized swelling between his jaw and his cheek. Do we need to go back to the emergency dentist before flying home?

We're on holiday in Israel, due to fly back Friday. My partner developed severe tooth pain which led to an emergency dentist prescribing antibiotics. We thought (as the pain had lessened) that that had taken care of things - but now there's this swelling - we can't get dental advice now till office hours tomorrow morning. Other people who have had this problem - is this a bad sign likely needing emergency action? Could it get worse on a plane? Or are we panicking needlessly?

By: univac

univac — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:16:58 -0800

I don't think there would be air pressure issues with flying, but don't go scuba diving.

Seriously, though, I would have him checked out ASAP. Sounds like the antibiotics are not working. Golf-ball sized swelling sounds highly abnormal, and maybe he has a serious abcess. IANAD.

By: cholly

cholly — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:20:32 -0800

Seconded. That sort of swelling while on antibiotics can't be a good thing at all.

By: teem

teem — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:22:39 -0800

Do we need to go back to the emergency dentist before flying home?

Yes, I'm afraid you do.

By: bilabial

bilabial — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:45:37 -0800

I am not a dentist, but I can say, definitively, "Yup, you do need to go get dental care ASAP for your partner. Dental infections are a particularly awful kind of pain when they are painful, and painkillers don't even begin to touch the pain of a dental infection."

But don't panic.

By: thinkingwoman

thinkingwoman — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 17:42:11 -0800

i would go to an all-night emergency room if you can find one, frankly. swelling = bad always.

By: rmhsinc

rmhsinc — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:07:12 -0800

This can be extremely serious--post haste to an ER--had a very good friend who ended up on life support and continuous IVs for post root canal infection--absolutely not negotiable if there is any elevation of temperature--GO

By: docpops

docpops — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:14:00 -0800

The other benefit of the ED is they may be able to fast-track you into oral surgical care, since the ED doc can request a consult and you won't be left to chance trying to convince someone on the phone the urgency of your situation.

By: gramcracker

gramcracker — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:24:40 -0800

Yes, go to an ER immediately.

By: clarkstonian

clarkstonian — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:37:15 -0800

Agree with all. This is not supposed to happen AFTER the root canal - the infection can spread quickly. Go now.

By: Huplescat

Huplescat — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:43:13 -0800

Of course it sounds like a dental abscess. It also sounds like the dentist tried to head it off with the antibiotics, and it may or may not be cause for alarm that that failed. I dont know. Im not a dentist. In fact, I cant even afford to see a dentist.

If you can get to a dentist... do it. If you cant there are some pretty good workarounds.

Gargling with the standard over the counter solution of hydrogen peroxide can do wonders for the average abscessed tooth. Dont just gargle. Hold in the area, tilting your head as needed, and try to forcibly swish it into the infection. Provided you arent consuming alcohol, and have a healthy liver, ibuprofen will make the pain go away if you take a lot of it. By a lot I mean 3 to 6 times the recommended dosage.

Ive done this myself a couple of times, was pleased with the results, and lived to tell the tale.

By: Huplescat

Huplescat — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:00:13 -0800

So sorry... I missed the root canal part. In any case, I dont think that hydrogen peroxide will do any harm and it may help.

By: watsondog

watsondog — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:03:47 -0800

Avoid all workarounds like gargling. This can be life-threatening and it would be folly to waste time going to get hydrogen peroxide just to save a few bucks if the alternative is DYING.

Go to the ER. Now.

By: Flitcraft

Flitcraft — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 05:45:50 -0800

We saw the emergency dentist. It turned out to be an abscess that needed draining. That seems to have helped. Thanks.