swollen, very painful gums

[Gore]

Hi,

from Tuesday of this week, the left side my mouth became very sore and swollen, I first thought it was an abscess, by the next day my neck and the side of my face was swollen too, I am in so much pain I cant even brush my teeth, I am only eating soup as the pain is that bad.

I visited my dentist on Thursday of this week, I had an xray of the swollen part of my mouth-my teeth where fine and they told me I had a gum infection and they have prescribed 'Metronidazole' 400mg 3 x daily, I am finding that I feel probably 10% better, so I am taking paracetimol and ibuprofen as well. I have read the medicine leaflet inside and I can take up to 800mg 3 x daily?

my neck is still swollen and now the infection has spread to the other side of my mouth.

Has anybody any advise for the pain, and has anybody ever had a swollen glands at the side of the neck? my tonsils are ok and I haven't a sore throat, but its not great to swallow due to gums being swollen.

I'm praying that this is just an infection and not gum disease, I look after my teeth and brush twice daily, and visit the dentist every 6months.

Any advice will be much appreciated.

Many thank x

[Missme31]

Hi, maybe go to your Dr and tell him the paracetamol and ibruphen are not working very well and see if he will prescribe Co-dydramol or cocodamol, they are a little stronger and have a mixture of codeine and paracetamol in so if you do get either don't take any paracetamol while taking them

Try some warm salty water to rinse round your mouth that may help with the infection, your gland is most probably due to you having an infection in your gums, also try corsadyl mouth wash too and rinse round your mouth.

I also have very good oral hygiene and was told I have gum disease, i have been advised to use tepe brushes to use inbetween my teeth after I've washed them also not to spit the toothpaste out and to use mouthwash in the afternoon and after tea and not to rinse out as this looks after your teeth, I went for a clean couple of weeks ago and have to go back in January to see how the gum disease Is, hopefully yours will be fine, hope you get sorted with the pain as there's nothing worse than toothache or sore gums.

Take care

[FrancesTT]

Hi sorry to here that your in so much pain, what I don't understand is why your doctor didn't detect it 6 months prior to the now infection, in saying that I agree with missme31 advice to brush day and night, plus floss also use SALT (warm water) gaggles, I strongly recommend CODINE ONLY for pain relief.....I suffer with Gum infection Periodontal (disease) I use a little Tea/ Tree oil on floss and I also us Tea/ Tree oil on my tooth/paste to help control Gum infection along with Salt warm water gaggles I hope things sort out for soon Gore....Best of luck with everything!!

[Hidden]

Hi Gore

Once you are good enough to brush you should fit flossing into your routine as well. Flossing plays a big part into keeping gums healthy. I would also recommend a periodontist taking a look at them. They are dentists that specialize in gums. Hope you are feeling better.

[ettezus]

You need to be seen by a periodontist as a matter of urgency. They specialise in gum disease and far more advance in this practise than a dentist. Relying on antibiotics will only be putting a plaster on the symptom. You need a deep clean of your gums. Unfortunately you are unlikely to be seen under the NHS and will have to pay privately.

The cleaning mentioned in the replies below are essential, but I feel you should get your gums deeply cleaned as you will not be able to reach the deep pockets between the teeth and gum where the infection is embedded. Once done keep up with the daily regime. Please see the post by BarnettCA where I have mentioned my experience regarding periodontal disease.

Regards