Dental extraction in a week, abscessed gum, will I make it?

[AbeLinkedIn]

Hey all! I hope everyone's been weathering the storm that is 2020 reasonably well.

I'm gonna cut to the chase: I made an appointment to have one of my upper molars taken out since it broke and is infected. Could be poor dental hygiene, genetics since my family has a history of bad teeth, but I haven't been able to be seen in months because of Covid and lack of insurance. I got dental insurance and made an appointment but due to my dentist taking less patients to sanitize the exam room between procedures, they're booked solid until next Monday, so I have to keep this bugger for one more week.

This is my dilemma: I heard stories about abscessed teeth being bad news for people and causing a host of other health problems or even death by sepsis or heart attacks. I've had this thing since March when I was going to originally have it addressed but Covid took over and most dentists were closed up, meaning I had to take a couple of courses of antibiotics at first to buy time. I've had this tooth bothering me for a couple of weeks but just yesterday was when I felt what they call a gum boil, which means abscess.

To make a long story short, will I even live to see my dentist and have this problem sorted, or am I as good as gone? That's not even counting Covid fears, as I've only made trips when necessary and even then, wearing a mask and keeping my distance. This will be the first extracurricular, if you will, I've done since quarantine.

The procedure is scaring me too as I've never had a tooth extracted, not even my wisdoms. I hear horror stories about the after-care and dry socket, face symmetry and such being out of wack, my bite being off, etc.

All in all I'm a wreck. What are the odds I die from this? How can I overcome my fears?

 

[mia23]

I'm not too familiar with tooth abscesses but honestly I'm sure you won't get sepsis or anything like that. just how bad is the tooth?? I can definitely relate to your fears because plaque sadly has a tendency to develop on my bottom teeth and I'm terrified the bacteria from there is gonna travel to my heart (assuming my heart isn't already clogged from it :/) Just try hard to not focus on your fears, because soon the week will be over and you'll get it taken out. Chances of you dying are low I'd say.

 

[AbeLinkedIn]

I'd say it's pretty bad, but I'm not an expert. Part of the molar broke off months ago and like I said, I was going to get it taken care of but Covid made it impossible to get seen, I was just given antibiotics. I'm just now being able to get seen again but not without a little more waiting. I'm praying someone cancels and I can get it sorted sooner but the chances of that are slim.

I know people who've had abscesses for years and survived but there's also stories of people dying of sepsis or some other nasty from bad dental health, one of which was close to my age (I'm 27, the dude who died was 26). My anxiety is so bad, my mother offered to escort me but IDK if they'll let her because of Covid guidelines

 

[Guitarist41]

If you’re on antibiotics, I’m sure you’ll be just fine

 

[AbeLinkedIn]

I had two courses of antibiotics already and a third I started tonight. I don't want to be antibiotic resistant either. What would cause someone to be resistant to antibiotics?

 

[Guitarist41]

I had two courses of antibiotics already and a third I started tonight. I don't want to be antibiotic resistant either. What would cause someone to be resistant to antibiotics?

you won’t. There are some elderly people who are on them consistently for UTIs because they don’t know they have them

 

[AbeLinkedIn]

Update: Abscess seems to have shrunk some but I'm not too sure. I have 6 more days at most before I'm seen, but I have a question: What happens if it ruptures before then? I'd consult Google but I've done that once too many and it'll tell me to start writing my will.

 

[Guitarist41]

I would take some Tylenol for the swelling, or maybe just get some ice water and swish it around as you drink it. Definitely rinse with saltwater a few times a day

 

[AbeLinkedIn]

And that should help for the next 5-6 days? I just have the abscess, no real swelling on my face or elsewhere which I think is a good sign.

 

[Guitarist41]

And that should help for the next 5-6 days? I just have the abscess, no real swelling on my face or elsewhere which I think is a good sign.

If they gave you the antibiotic, that should take care of the bacteria area, which is what is the dangerous part. With something that kills that bacteria, it will be fine, the pain and /or any swelling will go down a bit more with Tylenol and some cold stuff. Saltwater is just a good rinse to help clean your mouth out without using an alcohol based mouthwash.

from a quick search:
Due to its antibacterialproperties salt has long been used as a preservative. Salt kills some types of bacteria, effectively by sucking water out of them. In a process known as osmosis, water passes out of a bacterium so as to balance salt concentrations on each side of its cell membrane.

 

[AbeLinkedIn]

I just took some Tylenol and have been drinking cold water. I took my second dose of antibiotic this morning and like I said, I got 6 days to go. I don't want it to burst on me and the infection get everywhere and I become septic. I'm not even worried about aftercare or the procedure, my dentist is someone I've trusted with my teeth for years. I'm worried about the wait, did I wait too late and used Covid as an excuse to not get it sorted sooner. My last visit was right before Covid and I was initially given two courses of antibiotics then which I had used.

I just now have dental insurance and dentists are opening up again, albeit with less patients to keep in lockstep with Covid guidelines cleaning after every procedure. Usually they'd see me right away but in this instance I have to wait until August 3rd or in the event someone cancels which is unlikely. I just don't want things to get worse and the abscess is what made me in the state I'm in. I'm going to do the saltwater rinses, take those Tylenol and antibiotics, and drink cold water until I see him. But since this is a molar, I'm worried about what I can/can't eat. I know a couple of things I can eat like ice cream and scrambled eggs, maybe consomme or soup or ice pops, but once the gum heals I'll be short one molar and implants/replacements are expensive even with insurance.

 

[Guitarist41]

You’ll be fine, you didn’t wait too long, if so, you would be very sick right now, and it sounds like you’re perfectly fine. I have several missing teeth from getting them pulled (I do not have dental insurance) so I just get them numbed up, and pulled out lol. Implants will go down later on, so don’t worry about it.

 

[AbeLinkedIn]

That's reassuring. Were any of yours abscessed?

 

[Vincent]

When you made the appointment, I assume they asked you some questions about the abscess. If they thought you were at risk for the kinds of things you're worried about, they would have gotten you into the office sooner. Keep following the dentist's instructions, and call the dentist if something arises that concerns you.

 

[AbeLinkedIn]

The abscess didn't come until after I made the appointment though. I'm assuming they're doing the best they can given the current circumstances.

 

[Jgriffin]

Hey all! I hope everyone's been weathering the storm that is 2020 reasonably well.

I'm gonna cut to the chase: I made an appointment to have one of my upper molars taken out since it broke and is infected. Could be poor dental hygiene, genetics since my family has a history of bad teeth, but I haven't been able to be seen in months because of Covid and lack of insurance. I got dental insurance and made an appointment but due to my dentist taking less patients to sanitize the exam room between procedures, they're booked solid until next Monday, so I have to keep this bugger for one more week.

This is my dilemma: I heard stories about abscessed teeth being bad news for people and causing a host of other health problems or even death by sepsis or heart attacks. I've had this thing since March when I was going to originally have it addressed but Covid took over and most dentists were closed up, meaning I had to take a couple of courses of antibiotics at first to buy time. I've had this tooth bothering me for a couple of weeks but just yesterday was when I felt what they call a gum boil, which means abscess.

To make a long story short, will I even live to see my dentist and have this problem sorted, or am I as good as gone? That's not even counting Covid fears, as I've only made trips when necessary and even then, wearing a mask and keeping my distance. This will be the first extracurricular, if you will, I've done since quarantine.

The procedure is scaring me too as I've never had a tooth extracted, not even my wisdoms. I hear horror stories about the after-care and dry socket, face symmetry and such being out of wack, my bite being off, etc.

All in all I'm a wreck. What are the odds I die from this? How can I overcome my fears?

I've had all my molars removed unfortunately. One last week. The worst pain afterwards isn't the tooth socket it's just discomfort in my jaw. After about 4 days I'm always about healed. all the issues you have discussed I have never had. Don't use straws or anything that requires a sucking motion like smoking for a couple days. the day after just make sure when you rinse your mouth you let the water fall out of your mouth instead of spinning it out because you don't want to lose the blood clot that is in the tooth socket that causes dry socket. Dry socket is rare. I personally would never use the term pain when it comes to getting a tooth extracted but maybe some might. I would just say slight discomfort within the jaw area for a few days. It's a really quick procedure. Also if you have a gumboil it has happened to me one time. Out of the blue you may feel a wretched taste in your mouth. Usually they pop on their own and that is the infection you're tasting. I know it sounds gross but trust me you are making it way worse in your head. As somebody with a lot of experience in this you will be glad you got it done and behind you. Before the numbing wears off just make sure you are using ibuprofen. Using that around the clock for about 3 days you probably won't feel much of anything in terms of discomfort. I hope any of my information helps and after you have your extraction you can reach me if you have any questions

 

[AbeLinkedIn]

Thanks so much for your insight, it helps more than you know.

Question though: How soon after I get it pulled can I start eating normally again? I have things that I can eat that are soft or require little if any chewing (Ice pops, ice cream, eggs, soups and broth, tea, etc.)

 

[Jgriffin]

I was careful the first day with soft foods, next day pretty much back to normal just eat on opposite side
Don't do soups. The hot broth could ruin the blood clot you need to heal. I did butter noodles and pudding and popsicles

 

[AbeLinkedIn]

Good call, thanks for that one.

 

[Jgriffin]

Good call, thanks for that one.

Are you experiencing pain?