Tooth Abscess Query!

[NiallsMama]

Hello AB, not been on here for ages, but thought my shy ass would be helped here!
I have an impacted (I think) wisdom tooth on my bottom right jaw, on Thursday my face was a little swollen too....Thinking I may have a dental abcess
Its still the same now
.....The Hubby hasn't noticed it until this evening whilst cooking tea.......
My question is, do I really need to visit a dentist? I haven't seen a dentist properly since I was 18 when my useless braces came off + have an abhorrent fear of them since!
I am dentist phobic for sure and am sure I would need several large vodka's to let the dentist look in my mouth!!!!
Any self help would be massively appreciated xx TIA

[boxtops]

Yes, absolutely you do. If you have a dental abscess and it goes untreated, the infection can spread.

Please be assured that the dentist experiences of our youth is very different now. I too was dentist phobic, my teeth needed attention, I didn't go for about 12 years. Nowadays I still don't like it but I go, and modern anaesthesia means there is no pain. You need antibiotics to reduce the infection before they can do anything, anyway. Please go - you'll not do yourself any favours by staying away.

[Prudie]

Boxtops has told you the 'right' thing to do but I have had several abscesses in the past and not gone to the dentist. The infection will probably settle down on its own BUT it will return or your tooth will die and then crack and break eventually. So you could ignore it for now (I'm amazed you're not saying your screaming in pain though).

[rosieapple]

There is some good advice on the NHS choices http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dental-abscess/Pages/Treatment.aspx page but it's best to see the dentist if you're in any doubt. I hate the dentist too but it's never as bad as I imagine when I get there!

I agree with Prudie though - I was crying in pain and couldn't even open my mouth. I also had a massive lump on the gum of the affected tooth.

Good luck :)

[NiallsMama]

Thanks guys, I'm not in any pain, as such, I just can feel it there if you know what I mean! It does throb it I press my jaw, but otherwise no pain! I was hoping just to nip the Drs + get some antibiotics, for some reason, letting a Dr look in my mouth is much less scary that walking into a dentist's!
I am very tempted to 'see how it goes', although I know at the age of 34 I should fight my phobia!
Weirdly, I have no problems taking the children for their check ups....I should learn my their example!
Thanks again for your answers guys xx

[Peter Pedant]

.

No you need to go to a Dentist, you silly silly gairl

If you have had no dental care since 18, there is bound to be stuff done.

It sounds as tho (altho like the fella in Airplane: 'I need to do an examination.' Go next door and take all your clothes off...) you have a gum boil where a root is sufficiently near the surface of the bone that it has come out there.

Nonetheless you need DENTAl treatment - not a doctor, GP's scrip.


and as for the person above who has had THREE abscesses and still hasnt learnt to go to a dentist, words fail me for a change.

[mazie]

I'm the same Niall. I hate them, but if needs must, it's best to go. If you have a little one to look after, it's always best to look after yourself. Just tell your dentist how you feel and I'm sure they'll understand, mine did and he was great. After he did my treatment (which was painless) I took him two jars of home made jam. He rang me to say he and his wife had enjoyed them. I'm only saying that so you know that they are only human and will understand your fears. Please go xx

[Peter Pedant]

Sticking things in your mouth and getting a vomiting sound is called a 'gag reflex' and mine was so strong that the Dentist started called me Linda Lovelace.

we got over it.

oh and you breathe thro your nose when it all going on - it took me about fifty years to learn that one

and now I have almost all my teeth !

[bloaterbum]

Iahve suffered untold pain over the years due to a phobia since chldhood and inevitably had some pretty mind blowing treatment as a result.
Ater 20 years on and off I now have a dentist who I have attended for 14 years and have had abcesses crowns root filings done iwth little discomfort. i still get nervous but it beats suffering in silence. Go and see your dentist and explain your fear and Iam sure if they are any good they will be kind and patient