Dental abscess during root canal

So you got a root canal and had an infection after? Ive just been through this. Mine was ok until the canal and then it went crazy. I started on amoxicillin but it wasnt working so I switched to clindamyacin. That has worked and things are getting better. Provided you can get the infection to subside, your tooth should be fine. 

Often, it can take 12-24 hours until the antibiotic kicks in and takes full effect. But 10 days is way too long. You need to present to your local Emergency Dept. - as you need stronger antibiotics.

Often, Drs or Dentists will give you a high “loading dose” which would be two antibiotic tablets instead of one. Your Dr should have you on two types of antibiotics if you are prone to abcesses. I would highly recommend Amoxycillin and Clauvulanic Acid 875mg/125mg - otherwise known as Augmenting Duo Forte (twice daily before food), and also Metronidazole - otherwise known as Flagyl 400mg TDS (three times a day after food as it can often cause bad nausea). However this will ensure that you have covered both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial infections.

Also, whilst ibuprofen and paracetamol are recommended, if you are in severe pain, these are absolutely useless unless you have a temperature. And from what you are describing symptom wise, in my opinion you have a massive infection that left untreated can make you extremely ill and even become Septic. So seek Emergency treatment immediately. Your Dr will immediately prescribe you antibiotics. I would also ask your Dr to prescribe you Amitriptyline on a

Short term basis until your infection has been resolved. Put the tablet directly onto the tooth or in the socket. Often, it is enteric coated, which basically means it has a very hard exterior coating with the actual medication inside as some medications are designed to target specific receptors in different areas of the body and because our digestive juices are so acidic, the enteric coating protects the tablet from these digestive enzymes to ensure tablet isn’t digested and destroyed by these quite powerful digestive enzymes and reach their target area. So I would suggest you either break the tablet in half, or even crush the tablet and place it directly onto the affected tooth, or into the socket and it provides pain almost instant relief as it is a very underused powerful anaesthetic in dental pain. It will provide you with relief within minutes, and personally, it provides it to almost the extent of the actual anaesthetic needle they give you to numb the area before the tooth extraction.

But I cannot stress the importance of seeking treatment immediately. ALWAYS seek a Dr first, as you may have allergies I’m not aware of, so - MAKE SURE YOUR NOT ALLERGIC TO ANY OF THE ABOVE. It is normal to feel nauseated by the flagyl, so do not stop taking it by thinking your allergic to it.  

From your symptoms, I personally think you may even need IV antibiotics for the first few days, as 6 days is bordering on dangerous

- especially as the affected area can easily enter the bloodstream and it’s close to the brain. I’m not trying to scare you unnecessarily, but you need immediate treatment.

Good luck. And, always make sure your Dr is aware of all your regular medications and ALLERGIES. I cannot stress this enough. And ensure that you seek an actual Dr, not a Drs resident. Sometimes you need to be direct and demand what you want, as sometimes Drs assistants are hesitant to prescribe stronger medications without having their Educating Dr assess you first. 

And please, let me know how you progress with the recommended treatment. Good luck!

Also, my advice may not be appropriate for everyone due to allergies or if a patient has other pre-existing conditions. So also inform them of your full medical history before they prescribe you any medications.