Tooth abscess problem?!
Question:
Tooth abscess problem?
my friend seems to have a tooth abscess problem and his face is swollen....he has NO medical insurance and cannot afford to go to the doctor nor be without treatment....does anyone have any suggestions or temporary medications that would help with the pain....his face is also swollen...if anyone knows a way also that he can get this covered in anyway please let me know....(ps. we live in NY if that helps)
Answers:
Having an abscessed tooth is a VERY serious problem. As a dentist I highly recommend that your friend see a dentist or visit your local emergency room as soon as possible! Not only is an abscessed tooh extremely painful, the infection can spread to the throat causing airway obstruction and can spread to the heart and brain causing very serious or even fatal complications. Your friend is going to need antibiotics to help clear some of the infection, even taking the antibiotics the tooth will still need to be looked at by a dentist as once you go off the antibiotics the infection WILL return. Try using a COLD compress, under no circumstances should heat be applied to the area, heat can cause the infection to spread more quickly. Also try taking Motrin as this will help with pain and with some of the swelling, but by all means your friend needs antibiotics immediately. Your friend needs medical attention very soon, this will NOT clear up on its own.