Mouth abcess :(

[leelapops]

Hey all, hope everyone is well, good and happy :)
Seems I have an odd lump on my gum-is it most likely to be an abcess? Will it need antibiotics? And will the doctor give these, or will I have to go to dentist to get a prescription?

I am hugely dentistophobic, so you can imagine the answer I would rather hear!

Thank you. x

[dot.hawkes]

oooo that sounds nasty, have you tried rinsing your mouth out with either an antiseptic mouth wash or salt water? If it is sore, either should ease it, or if you can get to tescos or somewhere with a pharmacy you can get some Bonjela, hope it sooths it.

[sticky vicki]

I thought bon jela was a rock group dot.

[garner]

I think you need to go to your doctors leelapops, if its an abcess you will need antibiotics for sure.Get to the doctors you dont want your Christmas spoiling, good luck.g.

[leelapops]

Hi dot, thank you very much for your speedy reply.

I use an antiseptic alcohol-free mouthwash morning and night, but I think I need to try a salt rinse like you suggested, just to move it on a bit! It isn't painful unless I touch it, but I don't really fancy it developing. What with my phobia, I was kind of hoping it would go away all by itself! But if this isn't the case, I would rather be seen before Christmas, and get it outta the way. I have an ulcer too, but I am very used to those-I think I am just run-down in general!

:)

[leelapops]

garner, thanks for that. I think you're right! Will make sure I am paid on Tuesday first, and if so, straight on the phone!

Cheers

[dot.hawkes]

I was thinking that you may be rundown, but I would get an appointment with your GP as opposed to the dentist, for one thing it would be free and for another if the doc thinks you need a script he will be able to check your medical history quickley to see if there may be any reason for you being run down,

[leelapops]

As the lump seems to have some shape now, the only other thing I can think of is that the wisdom tooth on that side is coming through-as my other wisdom teeth are in varying stages of development. I really hope none of them have to come out-yeech!

My mouth is in a pretty bad state as it is-I really need to get to the dentist, have them knock me out and just do all the work I need doing. I am just terrified. And irrationally so.

[dot.hawkes]

I really hate the thought of anyone having to go to a dentist and pay them hard earned money for emergenct treatment when there is a medical condition like this!! Having regular check ups and treatment ios one thing, but in an emergency it should be free!!!

[leelapops]

That was also my thinking dot-I don't fancy paying unecessarily, given my lack of affluency!
Thanks for your answer. I was just at the doc's last week-ran out of Pill when I was due to start that day, so made urgent appointment, was given prescription, found none of the chemist's had it in stock as there was a supply issue, so had to rush back to doc (quite late in the day) in order to get a new prescription. What a t*t he must think I am!

[Beads]

Mr Beads suffers with those and when he gets one the side of the face it is on swells and he is in terrible pain. He goes to the denitst. I know a kid who had a mouth abcess and again - swollen face and terrible pain.

[leelapops]

Darn tooting! When I was 17, I used to have to travel an hour and a bit by bus to see the dentist, as our local dentists were just crammed. When I moved here, I joined the local NHS dentist. However, on my first visit I was so put off I don't think I will be back-all the equipment was held together with electrical tape, the chair was torn and patched up with parcel tape, the dentist didn't speak enough English to even reassure me...All in all, not a confidence-boosting experience.

When I can afford it, I will definitely pay for private dental care, or for intraveinous Valium.

[leelapops]

Beads thank you. Ouch! My brother and my partner have both had abcesses, and they seemed so much more serious than what I have! Like you say, swelling and a lot of pain. I am not sure if this is the early stage of an abcess, or just my wisdom tooth as I said.

[Beads]

Hi Leelapops. I am sure you'd know all about it if it was an abcess as in boyf and the mates kid - they just flared. No introduction or anything. Potentially could be a wisdom tooth. If it's not hurting only if you touch I wouldn't worry too much and ask a pharmacist in a chemist - but I would book a dentist appt. I remember a few years back at the back of my mouth near the gum I had a little lump which hurt if I ran my tongue over it. I didn't give it a second thought and about a week later it had gone.

[leelapops]

Thanks Beads :)

[bednobs]

nhs dentists onlt have 3 bands of charging nowadays so the most you will have to pay for any course of treatment is around 197 pounds ( i know this sounds a lot but bear in mind this is the top band and includes dentures, brindge work, crowns etc)
most treatment can be given under a band 2 which is something like 45 quid, or check up and xrays are �15,90 and you dont have to pay both (eg if you need a chck up, xrays and 7 fillings it would come under band 2 so you would just oay the 45 quid one, not 15 and then 45) I would go sooner rather than later. you may find you've been deregistered if you havent been for a while and getting a new nhs dentist can be tricky, especially as you reach the end of the financial year. If you did have an abcess i wouls be surprised - usually with an abcess you would have more symptoms than just a lump ie a LOT of pain, or general unwellness and temperature

[leelapops]

bednobs-thanks :)

I was made aware of the new pricing system last year. The reason I had to travel in the first place a few years ago was because I hadn't been for a year, so I had been automatically struck off.

I don't mind paying if I need to, but if it can be avoided, all the better! I think you are right-abcesses sound pretty sore by all accounts, and the only reason this is hurting so much now is probably because I have poked it for an hour! x

[jane1098]

i hated dentists and used to worry myself sick before going.
when i was sixteen i had an abcess on my gum and the dentist pulled the tooth out there and then.
two years later i had another and he did the same also he had to cut my gum to get the tooth out. (i don't go there any more)
they don't do this now.
if you go to the dentist they will prescribe you penicillin (unless you have an allergy to it) before they treat anything else.
i've found a dentist who i feel comfortable with now and i'm not afraid any more.

[looobylooo]

hi leelapops, hope youre not in too much discomfort with your mouth as i know what its like.
i have had an abscass or something in my jaw bone area that rears its ugly head every now and then.
when its at its worst its absolute agony!! unbelievable pain and i get massive swelling and inflamation on that side of my face.
the last time it was like this, a few months ago, i kept bathing the area with a boiling hot flannel out of the microwave and it bought it to a head, on the outside of my face not inside, and eventually burst.
the gunge that came out of it was awfully wonderful lol and the pressure and discomfort eased by the second, it was great!
fingers crossed that little 'outburst' did the trick lol as ive not had any problems since ... fingers crossed!
im like you, i have a dentist phobia.
have you tried anbesol gel? i find it much better than bonjela as its adult strength. it feels cold and has a slightly numbing affect.
try getting some of that from a chemist and rubbing it on, i found it really good for such things including tootheache too.
anyway, i hope it eases for you very soon, and youre pain free for chrimbo :o)

[leelapops]

Hey loooby, many thanks for your answer and your well-wishes. :) I seem to be OK, although I don't want to speak too soon!

What a relief it must have been for you to get rid of your abcess, sounds like a spot-squeezing moment! Let's hope it stays away. Anbesol sounds pretty good-I must say eventually I give up with Bonjela as it doesn't seem to stick around in my mouth all that long!

x

[bigmamma]

Awww leelapops just reading your thread sweets and I do hope you don't get any worse. I too am terrified of the thought of the dentist and would try the gp first for some antibiotics or at least advice as to what it is . Some gps though will not look at anything oral to do with teeth and will tell you to go to a dentist . I hope you will get sorted and better for your xmas food :-) xxx