Tooth root abscess

Some on you have suffered so much and it scares me having anything wrong with my teeth. I've had problems but nothing like some of you. I would never leave an abscess, never, certainly not for a holiday, I am not undermining how our looks matter to all if us, but health comes first. . How could you enjoy a few days away knowing something awful might happen. The dentist gave his opinion, but that's not cast in stone. Health is wealth.

I was in the same situation last year- about to have 2 weeks in Spain with an excruciating abscess. I got 2 different types of antibiotics from the dentist- amoxicillin and metronidazole and had the tooth out when I returned. The tooth never felt quite right during the holiday, and the antibiotics affected my digestion so badly I had to get very expensive probiotics for 3 months after. In addition, the dentist made me a little mouthguard with a fake tooth, so when I wore it, you couldn’t see that the tooth was missing. I had to take it out to eat, but it was great for photos.

Couldn't he have given you antibiotics just in case anyway.
I realise you would have to pay for them.
Anyway hope it's all OK.

Thanks everyone. Especially Madmeg, who I send good wishes to.
I have been through cancer treatment myself, so I understand all the anxiety etc.
Have visited dentist today and was calmed down!
I am having the the two fron teeth extracted and immediate denture. It will take 4 weeks, so just have to hope for the best with my holiday, which is only a few days and fortunately in the UK.
Dentist says the abscess is very small but could erupt very quickly and advised a visit to an emergency dentist for antibiotics if it comes to the worst! Not ideal but I would lose £400 if I don't go. I'll judge the risk the day before I leave.
My dentist is private, so it's costing an arm and a leg anyway!!

Antibiotics don't akways clear infections. Your dentist can take an impression prior to you having the extraction and should be able to have a denture fitted before your holiday. Would strongly advise extraction before your holiday (insurance probably wouldn't cover if you became ill as known problem).

Definitely postpone your holiday and get the Absess sorted, I have just been there and had the tooth out after treatment, now have a huge gap from 2 missing teeth in the front. I am thinking implants very expensive but don't fancy a plate, at the moment I am dithering and is is only 2 weeks past having it out. No one ever says anything about the missing teeth but I am very aware of it. Just too vain.

I had a tooth abscess last year. My dentist missed it and I ended up with quite a serious infection. It took three different antibiotics, two taken at the same time to knock the infection on the head. Amoxicillin was not effective. It spread throughout the soft tissues of my lower jaw and my cheek and into my TMJ. It was really very, very painful.

Part of the problem I had is that my dentist is private, and dental practices are not really set up to give you ongoing medical advice. I had to pay for private prescriptions, appointments to see the dentistand I couldn’t get any support for pain management. My GP surgery flatly refused to have anything to do with a dental issue, in spite of allergic reaction to one antibiotic and adverse reactions to another (which gave me hallucinations). Apparently standard medical insurance doesn’t cover dental issues.

I would advise you to make sure that you get adequate antibiotic treatment to r resolve the infection before you go away. The last thing you want is for the abscess to flare up while you’re on holiday. But my dentist wouldn’t extract the tooth until the infection was clear. So I wouldn’t worry about having to wait to have the tooth extracted.

Ask for a prescription for a different form of penacillan ti start off with. Amoxicillian does not work for everyone, and do get it treated as soon as possible. The pain is likely to get worse, and you do not want that.

How could she have had them 'sorted'? I had mine professionally cleaned, a thoroughly unpleasant experience which hardly made any noticeable difference.

My mum's teeth went very stained just before my sister's wedding, in all the photos she's doing this peculiar smile with her top lip stretched to cover her brown teeth. If she'd had them sorted out earlier, she wouldn't have felt she had to hide them.

I'd do anything to get rid of the pain of an🤞🏻 abscess! After that, I don't think the tooth gap would worry me.

Best of luck.

Look on amazon for 'JMoldable false teeth'.
Not useable for eating, but acceptable for cosmetic reasons (after a lot of practice).
Several different options.

What a nice post Madmeg
I'm very pleased you can "smile again" and hope the cancer is thoroughly vanquished.

I hope they sort you out OP... 🤞

All the best OP.

I had to have radiotherapy last year for oral cancer so my long-standing lower front denture had to be left out. After treatment my gums were too sore to wear it and by the time they had healed the existing teeth had moved so my old denture would not fit.

The whole process of getting a new denture took about two weeks, so maybe that would work for you, but in my case I hadn't just had any extractions in that area.

Obviously beating oral cancer was my number one priority, not my appearance. I just got used to not smiling broadly in public, and joked about it with the GC!

I'm not suggesting you shouldn't be concerned about your appearance cos I'm now delighted to have my bottom teeth looking good again, and I hope you will too.

Thank you for all your comments.
I am seeing the dentist tomorrow and feel sure the tooth will have to be extracted in the next week.
i spoke to the dentist's receptionist yesterday and as I am going to get a filling in another tooth tomorrow, my appointment has been extended so the dentist can go over my options with me.
I have a phobia about dentists but she is very gentle, so I am going to be brave about it all!
I don't know if I can get a denture very quickly, but obviously I'll have to wait for the extraction to heal. At least it is a bottom tooth.
Just hope the top one which is getting the filling is ok. .

Forget vanity.
Your health is more important.
And if anything flared up while away it can be more complicated getting help.

NotSpaghetti easily done, thanks for the apology 🤗

I had a similar problem with pain in upper front tooth when pressed. Dentist x-rayed and found abcess, but tooth was in good enough condition for dentist to suggest root canal and crown. That was in Nov 2023. However, appointment for treatment wasn't until Feb 24 and I was going away in meantime. Dentist thought it should be fine but gave me prescription for antibiotic, only to be used if it flared up. All was fine!
Very different from a few years previously with an abcess on back tooth - needed immediate extraction. Be guided by dentist!

I would have any treatment as soon as possible. You say it is your lower front teeth that are the problem now if the tooth is extracted you will obviously notice but most people won’t so I wouldn’t worry about being toothless for your holiday.

I copied the wrong name - sorry.
Was really referring to silverlining (who knew someone who developed sepsis).

...V3ra - how horrible.

Oh! It was meant to be a helpful suggestion ☹️

Don’t delay.
Check with your dentist but my experience would suggest that
your gum will be sufficiently healed for a temporary denture after a week.

Everdene and V3ra - how horrible.

My problem is that I am going on holiday (UK) in 4 weeks time and I don't want to go while not having front teeth. Vanity!

Would it be possible to postpone your holiday until after all the treatment is finished?
Have you got travel insurance that would cover you, eg through your bank account?