Wisdom Tooth

[toothachessuck]

Hi
I had my two top wisdom teeth pulled when I was 18.My dentist told me at the time that my bottom wisdom teeth would probably never come in.Well,they are.I have had extreme pain for about two weeks.Just the past couple of days i've noticed that it's causing my ear and jaw to hurt.Today I woke up and my gland in my neck,directly under my ear is swollen and it kind of hurts.I have a bad smell and taste coming from the tooth.Plus it is so swollen that it feels like I have a hard bump on my gum underneath that tooth.My question is.Does this sound like it is infected or abcess?I'm very worried because I am hearing all these crazy stories,like the infection could go to your brain.Is that true?I am going to go in to the dentist soon.But I figured I would take a antibiotic for it before hand to save money.I am taking clindamycin.Will this help.The doctor I work for prescribed it to me.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

You need to have these teeth extracted. Stay on the antibiotics and see an oral surgeon asap.There is an infection but it is very rare that it will cause a brain abscess but the infection can not be ignored.

[mike1105]

you need to see an oral surgeon as soon as possible. it sounds like there is an active infection. the antibiotics may or may not work. you are taking a health risk by waiting.

[toothachessuck]

Thank you for the quick response.I think that the antibiotics are working.I'm not sure.I am on vicoprofen for the pain so i'm not sure if it's that or the antibiotics.I have a appt for monday.I just hope they will pull it the same day,and not give me the run around.Cause I want to be pain free and worry free.Thanks again.

[McDentist]

The patient should see his general dentist and discuss treatment options.  May his own dentist provides this service...

[toothachessuck]

Well I had my wisdom tooth pulled on Monday.It had to be the worst experience.After 2 1/2 hrs of grinding,pulling,pushing and cutting,the doctor gave up and had to send me to someone else.My appt was at 9:00 and I left at 12:30.The next dentist couldn't get me in until 3:00.By the time I got to that appt all the numbing shots wore off and they had to numb me all over again.That dentist took another 1 1/2 hours to get it out.It was so infected and impacted that he was suprised that I waited that long.I do have a question.Is it normal after all that to have swelling still in the gums?It's been about 48 hours.I am on antibiotics again.I'm just glad it's over.I'm just scared the infection is going to come back.