Docs or Dentist
 

Bit of a problem

I've got an infection in my gum, it not killing me as such but has made the bottom part of my face swell up to the size of a golf ball.

Right so do i go docs get some antibiotics & hope it isn't a prob with any teeth which i don't think it is.

Or do i go to the dentist, which could end up needed a tooth rip out or something to which i can't afford right now, as all my monies this month have gone on getting the car sorted ie new clutch and Clutch Master Clyinder & don't need a massive dentist bill on top of what im already paying out.

Dentist, they're doctors too you know. You either need a root canal, or if it's a result of a broken tooth that can't be fixed you need a tooth extraction.

Docs will send you to the dentist like they did with my abscess. Some hospitals have their own dental surgeries though but dentist is first call. He'll probably give you some amoxcillin and take it twice or thrice a day. I've had one twice and second time didn't take anything and went down on its own just as quickly, however.

Also he may suggest coming back after a couple of days to have it drained.

Dentist won't take your tooth out whilst you got abscess I don't think. Especially if you're private = more fees.

First thing to do is ring NHS direct on 0845 4647 and let them assess you. If you have an infection bad enough to cause face swelling you probably will be advised to get to the dentist immediately. If your dentist can't make an emergency appointment they will probably tell you to ring the ring the local emergency dentist. Do you have a boil on your gum? If so it's more than likely a tooth abscess. If it's clear they will be able to pull the tooth on the spot, if it's gone brown they will need to put you on antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Having a tooth out will be your cheapest option at £17 but an infection in the gum is potentially very dangerous and can cause a lot of problems.

Source: Been there, got the t-shirt.

FFS http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo.../rolleyes1.gif you need an URGENT appointment with a dentist - you don't say which gum it is but, if sepsis sets in, you could be looking at a potentialy fatal blood infection and, if the upper gum, people have been killed by infections making their way into the brain area.

Don't leave it till tomorrow, don't stress about what it cost, get on the 'phone NOW!
It could save your life! At the least, it's going be less expensive than if you leave it!

Jesus Gordo, are you going for an award in melodrama? You haven't even seen what it looks like yet you're ready to measure him up for a wooden overcoat??

lol the melodramatic comment of the day goes to gordo

And you take the 'idiot of the day' award - perhaps you should just keep it as you win so often?

I guess you haven't had a friend with the described symptoms end up in IC because they left it and ended up with blood poisoning, huh?

Sure, it could be a local infection from a bit of food being caught under the gum, could be a damned sight more serious!

Gordo, I'm going to buy you a car so you can get to the point occasionally...

Sure, he needs to ring the dentist but saying "OMG you're going to die NOW!" is hardly helping, is it?

Ixon - call the dentist , they can prescribe antibiotics like any other doctors , and ofc unlike a regular GP specilise in the area you have problems with ;)

UK doctors will just refer you to a dentist for a gum problem anyway.

You won't even get a chance to see the doctor; the receptionist will tell you first. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/wink1.gif

amazingly - a dentist , is a doctor that specilises in the oral cavity and maxfax area anyway ;) - they have to do a 5 year course after which is a further 2 years post grad foundation training

Was just a joke :/

If it hurts, and is swollen and nothing else, go to the dentist NOW.
If it hurts, is swollen, and you have a fever or feel ill, go the the emergency room NOW.

It sounds like you have an abscess. If it is, it will NOT go away, even with antibiotics... it would not go away, even if you were getting IV antibiotics. You could lose multiple teeth or have damage to your facial structures from an expanding abscess if you ignore it. Not to mention the fact that even in a young and healthy person you could ultimately get very sick from the infection if it spreads into your bloodstream. Dental infections are notorious for causing heart problems, and ultimately any uncontrolled infection can be life-threatening if you let it go long enough without medical care.

Not seeking care in a timely manner is one of the most dangerous and stupid things you can do. Please don't do it.

That's very generous of you, but as I've already got two cars, some petrol vouchers would be preferred - unless it's one of the 4 litre GT3 Porsches.
I didn't say he was about to die - anyway, I thought you'd started to read what I said? [no]
However, it can be argued I was a bit strong in stressing the importance of treatment rather than just leaving it, although I'd disagree http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/cool1.gif

In short, leaving it may result in it getting a lot more serious, including the potentially fatal blood poisoning and brain infections mentioned. I didn't say he was going to die either now or later (well, he will eventually) - just that it is potentially a serious, even fatal, problem and faffing around can make a relatively minor problem a lot more serious!
As I also said, it may just be a minor infection - but counting on that is plain stupid!

If someone posted with the symptoms of menigo-encephalitis (sp?) you'd certainly advise them to see a hospital immediately as the bacterial form can kill in 24 hours, from first symptoms, if not treated, and can result in brain damage (cue smartass remarks ;-)) - fortunately the version I had was 'only' the viral form and resulted in just under 3 weeks in the intensive care ward (definitely the cutest nurses, IMO) and another month off work. If the GF hadn't made me see the doctor, it probably would have resulted in more time off and potentially more damage than just some balance and co-ordination issues.

So, you may consider it an over-reaction, I consider it being careful. My friend's blood poisoning would have been avoided if he'd seeked earlier treatment and I'd've been a lot sicker if I hadn't.

That is technically true, but as he said the bottom part of his face is swelling up I presume it is a lower jaw abscess (or other infection) and it's only the upper jaw infections that spread into the brain. Lower jaw infections can cause Ludwig's angina and other breathing difficulties, but again that's very rarely fatal. Hugo Boss died of tooth abscess complications decades ago, but these days you'll have to try pretty hard to leave it long enough to kill you before going the dentist / A&E (emergency room).

Besides, putting the fear of God into people just makes them even more worried to see a professional in a lot of cases.

His most immediate worry is if it's an infected abscess (has gone brown) and it bursts into his bloodstream rather than externally, but even that won't kill him unless it's spread to multiple teeth (although he could feel pretty ill for a few days). He'd be in too much pain not to go to the dentist before that happened though.

Anyway - the whole point is that yet again you don't actually know what you're talking about but you're happy to tell someone you know exactly what they should do. You really need to learn the phrase "I don't know".

However I would be willing to bet money that is IS just a minor infection as opposed to a BLOOD POISONING BRAIN EATING DEADLY INFECTION

You really can't guess that. This could be an on-going condition where an abscess has got worse and worse. Unless you're his doctor or dentist it's not worth even hazarding a guess as to what it is.

Nope I am not guessing anything I just said if we were to put money on it I would bet that it wasn't as serious as being made out... Although it might be I don't know... But probably not... I agree he should go to the doctor or dentist asap