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Hello, I Have An Appointment To Remove A Oral Lesion
Question: Hello, I have an appointment to remove a oral lesion and a few teeth that are infected. I am experiencing somehow of a stiff neck if that normal? My tooth infections are on the right side of the lower jaw and the soreness (not so much pain) is on the right-hand side of my neck.
Brief Answer:
This seems like a muscle spasm, advises given
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
The only risk with teeth infection and stiff neck would be spread of infection in the meminges and development of meningitis (infection of the layer around the brain). This would cause neck stiffness but a headache, fever and nausea and vomiting as well.
By what you explain it does not seem to be meningitis in your case due to lack of many other important symptoms. In your case very likely is a muscle spasm causing the stiffness.
I would recommend you to take antiinflammatories in high dose to help with pain and inflammation. Aleve is an antiinflammatory drug, I would recommend ibuprofen instead.
You can take Ibuprofen 800 mg every 6-8 hours after food to help with the symptoms. Take after food to prevent problems with the stomach.
You can combine it with acetaminophen 500 mg every 8 hours.
You can use local warm compresses 15-20 minutes few times a day
Exercises are helpful as well but have the best effect if they are given by a physiotherapist so you can stretch or strengthen the right muscles in the right way.
If you develop headache and nausea, it still may be muscular related but is best to see a doctor to rule out other more important infection as explained above, especially if fever develops as well.
I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
This seems like a muscle spasm, advises given
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
The only risk with teeth infection and stiff neck would be spread of infection in the meminges and development of meningitis (infection of the layer around the brain). This would cause neck stiffness but a headache, fever and nausea and vomiting as well.
By what you explain it does not seem to be meningitis in your case due to lack of many other important symptoms. In your case very likely is a muscle spasm causing the stiffness.
I would recommend you to take antiinflammatories in high dose to help with pain and inflammation. Aleve is an antiinflammatory drug, I would recommend ibuprofen instead.
You can take Ibuprofen 800 mg every 6-8 hours after food to help with the symptoms. Take after food to prevent problems with the stomach.
You can combine it with acetaminophen 500 mg every 8 hours.
You can use local warm compresses 15-20 minutes few times a day
Exercises are helpful as well but have the best effect if they are given by a physiotherapist so you can stretch or strengthen the right muscles in the right way.
If you develop headache and nausea, it still may be muscular related but is best to see a doctor to rule out other more important infection as explained above, especially if fever develops as well.
I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
I appreciate you taking the time to answer and address my concerns. I think I may be overthinking about stressing out due to this surgery. The pain does subside when I take Alieve, Tylenol or Ibuprofen. I started taking baths with Epson salt and already feel more relaxed. I do have anxiety so the internet is probably the worst place to turn to searching for answers. (sources other than this of course).
Hopefully, after my surgery, all these issues will be resolved. I will be sure to consult my doctor if the pain persists post-surgery.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer and address my concerns. I think I may be overthinking about stressing out due to this surgery. The pain does subside when I take Alieve, Tylenol or Ibuprofen. I started taking baths with Epson salt and already feel more relaxed. I do have anxiety so the internet is probably the worst place to turn to searching for answers. (sources other than this of course).
Hopefully, after my surgery, all these issues will be resolved. I will be sure to consult my doctor if the pain persists post-surgery.
Brief Answer:
Pleasure to help you
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is a pleasure to be able to help you. I am glad you are feeling better.
It is true that internet can be very misleading and can cause excessive anxiety so it is best to relax and discuss your medical problems with a doctor instead.
Please feel free to let us know if there is a way that we can assist you.
I wish you good health and success with the surgery.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
Pleasure to help you
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is a pleasure to be able to help you. I am glad you are feeling better.
It is true that internet can be very misleading and can cause excessive anxiety so it is best to relax and discuss your medical problems with a doctor instead.
Please feel free to let us know if there is a way that we can assist you.
I wish you good health and success with the surgery.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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