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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Swelling And Infection In The Lower Gum Be Treated?

I have an infection under a lower tooth on my jaw. I'm taking metronidazole prescribed by my dentist, but there is an apparent increase in swelling under the tooth. Am I in danger of that spreading through my body and making a problem into a nightmare?
Tue, 19 Dec 2017
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Thanks for the query.

Your explanation is pointing towards tooth abscess formation that is due to deep infection in the tooth leading to pus formation below the root tip of the tooth..

It can spread to the soft tissues of the face leading to Cellulitis and Space infection..

So my suggestion is to consult a Dentist and get evaluated and a clinical examination should be done along with an IOPAR [x-ray] of the tooth to confirm the diagnosis..

You can be advised a course of antibiotics and painkillers to reduce infection and along with it the tooth has to be treated..

If tooth can be saved then root canal treatment can be done and if there is gross decay extraction is advisable..

Hope this helps..

Regards..
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Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,  Dr. U.lakshmiprasanna's  Response
hi, thank you for using HCM.
first of all dont worry about it much as normal tooth problems have no danger of spreading through the body. your problem most probably will be an tooth abcess. use amoxycylline clavulunate 500mg twice daily for 5 days along with metronidazole 400 mg twice for 5 days.if you pain then use aceclofenac twice daily for 5 days along with them. even after these swelling persists after taking these take an periapical radiograph and consult a dentist for further appropriate root canal or extraction.
hope i have answered your concern and feel free to ask another.
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How Can Swelling And Infection In The Lower Gum Be Treated?

Hi.. Thanks for the query. Your explanation is pointing towards tooth abscess formation that is due to deep infection in the tooth leading to pus formation below the root tip of the tooth.. It can spread to the soft tissues of the face leading to Cellulitis and Space infection.. So my suggestion is to consult a Dentist and get evaluated and a clinical examination should be done along with an IOPAR [x-ray] of the tooth to confirm the diagnosis.. You can be advised a course of antibiotics and painkillers to reduce infection and along with it the tooth has to be treated.. If tooth can be saved then root canal treatment can be done and if there is gross decay extraction is advisable.. Hope this helps.. Regards..