dental help.

[kelle619]

Hi guys..ok..I need some advice. I have been going to my dentist now for about 10 years. He is a good dentist with a good bedside manner also. But here's the thing. I have a broken tooth that is definitely infected. It is killing me. I know I need antibiotics. Last year I had a wisdom tooth that needed to be extracted. I went to an oral surgeon. The extraction was a piece of cake, but the site of it became infected. The oral surgeon did nothing. I went to my dentist. Crying in pain. The area was blood red. I told him I think I need an antibiotic. He said I didn't. After days of agony I went to my pcp, she looked said it was infected and gave me an antibiotic. Within three days the pain was gone and has never come back. Now this weekend have a dentist appointment who will fix my tooth, but. I do have infection and again he will tell me I'm fine I don't need anything . I discussed this with my pcp who told me this is a dental issue to let him decide. But he will decide nothing .He is anti antibiotics...plus I have a heart condition and need them . Should I stay or time for a new dentist. I am in pain.

[mommyofbhp]

After reading your replies, all I can say is that if you truly believe you need antibiotics it may be worth trying to find a new dentist that agrees with you on this. Sometimes the patient has an unexplainable feeling that they in some kind of danger ("impending doom") and this needs to be taken seriously. At the end of the day, I don't really see a huge problem with just giving you your way and prescribing. I don't necessarily think that antibiotics are warranted in your case, but if you insist upon them I don't see why the dentist won't give in. Try getting a new dentist that isn't so polarized on this issue. Good luck with everything.

[kelle619]

Also the only antibiotic I can take is doxycycline

[kelle619]

Thank you for getting back to me.. As far as the heart condition goes, I'm not sure exactly what is going on. I'm in the process of having numerous tests done to see, it could be something or nothing at all we aren't sure yet, but, to be on the safe side, I think having an antibiotic would be the safe thing to do, and also because I swear bacteria got in. I will admit there is no fever redness or pus, but there is a huge piece of missing tooth. What do you think. I know he will say no, no matter what..

[mommyofbhp]

Hi. I can understand your concern. It sounds like you are worried that the dentists aren't  prescribing antibiotics when you feel you need them.   This can be frustrating.  

I have a few questions for you. First, what specific heart condition do you have? If you have a qualifying heart condition you may need to take antibiotics before and after each invasive dental visits, this includes cleanings. Basically anything that risks bacteria entering the bloodstream would warrant you taking this antibiotic (usually Amoxicillin 2,000 mg) directly before and directly after a dental visit.  Make sure that your dentist and oral surgeon know about this heart condition so that they can decide if premedication is necessary.

Second, I am wondering if you have had a fever associated with these infections? Redness and pain alone don't necessitate antibiotics. We look for other signs/symptoms as well, such as fever, pus, heat, etc.

Dentists and physicians are working hard to prevent bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. This means being careful not to over prescribe antibiotics.  For example, If you've ever heard of MRSA it is a staph infection that has become resistant to methicillin, thus making it life-threatening because it doesn't respond to antibiotics.  So, this is why the medical community isn't handing out antibiotics like candy, as they used to.

I think that they didn't feel you had an actual infection or else they would've prescribed antibiotics.  If you feel you aren't communicating well with your dentist I would change dentists. Find one that explains things better and listens better.

Good luck.