Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Swollen Face And Tooth Abscess
Question: Hi, my mum has a tooth abscess. She saw a doctor 2 days ago and got amoxicillin and ibuprofen. This morning she woke up and that side of her face was swollen. Her cheeks down look swollen. Noticeably swollen but not huge. She can't see the doctor today as she can't find one here open on Sunday. She went to a pharmacy and they told her that the amoxicillin may take about 3 days to start working so its ok to wait till tomorrow to see the doctor. Is this ok? Is it possible that the infection can spread really quick and affect her seriously before tomorrow? Is it possible that within a day it an become really bad?
Brief Answer:
Diabetes ? What about other symptoms ?
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Read and understood the history and problems about your mother.
She has got a tooth abscess and taking Amoxicillin and Ibuprofen since 2 days - face seen noticeably swollen this morning - but not huge - today being Sunday - can not see a Doctor as can not find one open on Sunday - someone from Pharmacy said Amox may take 3 days to start working - Wants to know - is it OK to wait till tomorrow to see a Doctor - can infection spread quickly to affect seriously before tomorrow -
I would like to know few details :
-Is your mother diabetic ?
-Is there increase in pain / redness / fever / difficulty in opening mouth / or any other problems?
-Or the symptoms other than swelling have reduced ?
-What is the dosage of Amoxicillin and Ibuprofen is she taking ?
-Do you / Mother have any leftover antibiotic at home (which suits her)?
The answers to above questions have inbuilt answers in them.
Amoxicillin does not take that much time as told to you by the Pharmacy.
If the other symptoms other than the swelling have been reduced , I hope nothing serious may occur.
If there is increase in any of the symptoms, she may need an additional antibiotic.
Since the face has to much of the loose connective tissues, the edema / swelling may be apparent in spite of proper response.
Or there is a possibility of abscess formation, which may need drainage.
Since your mother is already under an antibiotic cover, it is expected that nothing much serious can occur overnight. Yet in a few patients the bacteria may not respond favorably or an additional bacteria can increase the problems as the tooth-abscess is connected to the oral cavity which is a store of all sort of bacteria.
If you think it necessary, it may be possible that you take her to the Emergency room (ER) or nearby hospital for getting examination done and get another / additional prescription, get blood : CBC, sugar and creatinine checked.
I hope this answer helps you to clear some doubts you have; please feel free to ask for further relevant questions or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
I am waiting for your feedback.
Diabetes ? What about other symptoms ?
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Read and understood the history and problems about your mother.
She has got a tooth abscess and taking Amoxicillin and Ibuprofen since 2 days - face seen noticeably swollen this morning - but not huge - today being Sunday - can not see a Doctor as can not find one open on Sunday - someone from Pharmacy said Amox may take 3 days to start working - Wants to know - is it OK to wait till tomorrow to see a Doctor - can infection spread quickly to affect seriously before tomorrow -
I would like to know few details :
-Is your mother diabetic ?
-Is there increase in pain / redness / fever / difficulty in opening mouth / or any other problems?
-Or the symptoms other than swelling have reduced ?
-What is the dosage of Amoxicillin and Ibuprofen is she taking ?
-Do you / Mother have any leftover antibiotic at home (which suits her)?
The answers to above questions have inbuilt answers in them.
Amoxicillin does not take that much time as told to you by the Pharmacy.
If the other symptoms other than the swelling have been reduced , I hope nothing serious may occur.
If there is increase in any of the symptoms, she may need an additional antibiotic.
Since the face has to much of the loose connective tissues, the edema / swelling may be apparent in spite of proper response.
Or there is a possibility of abscess formation, which may need drainage.
Since your mother is already under an antibiotic cover, it is expected that nothing much serious can occur overnight. Yet in a few patients the bacteria may not respond favorably or an additional bacteria can increase the problems as the tooth-abscess is connected to the oral cavity which is a store of all sort of bacteria.
If you think it necessary, it may be possible that you take her to the Emergency room (ER) or nearby hospital for getting examination done and get another / additional prescription, get blood : CBC, sugar and creatinine checked.
I hope this answer helps you to clear some doubts you have; please feel free to ask for further relevant questions or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
I am waiting for your feedback.
Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
