I have an infected tooth with pus. What do I do?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have severe pain in my lower tooth on the right side. It never stops until I take a painkiller. Also, the effect of the painkillers I take only last a few hours. I guess I have an infected tooth, as there is pus. Now the right side of my jaw and the area under it started hurting. I am taking Ultracet or Tramadol for pain and Augmentin for infection. What is the problem and what do I do?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

With all the signs and symptoms you experience, it is definitely an infected tooth. It seems like a deep tooth decay. Painkillers and antibiotics do help for a toothache with infection. As you said, it is the nature of the painkillers to last only for few hours and that is why it has to be taken every four or six hours depending on the dosage. These medications will not completely cure the tooth problem unless an active dental treatment is done. Hence I advice you to visit a dentist and get it sorted immediately. Depending on the depth of the tooth decay, it could be treated with a simple root canal treatment. Please do not self-medicate Augmentin. It is not to be taken for long, not more than five days. And with the painkillers, do not take multiple brand tablets. I suggest you continue tablet Ultracet (Tramadol) thrice daily after meal for three days. Gargling with warm salt water after every meal also will give a temporary relief.