I have an abscessed tooth with swollen face. Is it a matter of concern?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have an abscessed tooth and have been on antibiotics for three days. I woke up this morning with an extremely swollen face; should I go to the ER?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your question, and I can understand your concern about your toothache and facial swelling. You need IV (intravenous) route antibiotics like Ceftriaxone, one gram after an allergic test. For this treatment, you should visit a dentist or the nearest emergency department.

Once the infection subsides, the affected tooth should either undergo root canal treatment or be extracted, depending on its condition and your preference.

The probable cause of your symptoms is a grossly decayed tooth. The differential diagnosis includes cellulitis. The most likely diagnosis is a periapical periodontal abscess with associated space infection.

The treatment plan involves administering IV antibiotics after an allergy test, followed by root canal treatment or extraction of the affected tooth once the infection is resolved.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you