What am I doing wrong?

I'm sorry if I sound stupid about this kind of stuff. I'm 16 years old, and I'll be honest, I've never had good oral hygiene. 3 days ago I was taken to the dentist because of tooth pain and swelling in my left cheek. I was prescribed penasilin and a painkiller. The first time I took the penailin, the swelling bad gone down significantly and I felt better. The morning after, I awoke to the swelling affecting my eye. I was taken to the endontist and went through I believe an I&D. My face is still swollen and that left my in excruciating pain. I am now taking clindaymicin. I'm just curious if there is anything else I should do and how long it will take before I'm back to normal.

[tschock]

A good salt water rinse can do wonders.
Add some salt ,about a teaspoon or so, ( preferably pickling salt ) to a warm glass of water and swish it around in your mouth, then spit.
Table salt it fine, but not as effective. Do this several times a day. It will help to alleviate the pain, swelling, and infection...and will cut the healing time almost in half.
Keep taking the medication.

It should only take a week or two at most...sorry to say.