The toothache pain decreased but do i need antibiotic treatment ( Expert opinion!


Question: The toothache pain decreased but do i need antibiotic treatment ( Expert opinion only please )!?
I am an allopathic doctor!.I had bad teeth since childhood!.So i got multple caries!. My second molar became caried!. Then i had a filling done but i feel that the tooth was slightly cracked then!.After several treatments, I had a metallic crown placed over it!. Recently the crown came off, about 5 months ago!. But the silver filling is stll there!. I havent had a root canal operation done yet!.

Now 4 days before , i had a tooth ache!. it was persistent, though not exactly throbbing in nature!. I didnt take pain killers to decrease the intensity of pain so that if the pain increased i knew i was dealing with something serious!. Also my brother ( who is also an allopathic doctor ) suggested not taking Antibiotics so that i dont form a dental abscess ( due to the pus formed after treatment )!. I tolerated the pain and the pain subsided!. I used to feel that it was a gingivitis though it used to pain severely when i used to press my tongue on it!. I feel the pain was due to the crack in the tooth but i may be wrong here!. The pain decreased in intensity everyday since the last 4 days!. Today however i have minimal pain on pressing my tongue on the tooth ( which i feel suggests that the nerve is still alive ) but i have a swelling of my gum on the lateral side!. I tried pressing it but it doesnt look fluctuant!. Pressing on it suggest its firm!. The pain has decreased in intensity considerably but this swelling has arose!. I am concerned about this swelling!.I have a slightly tender submandibular Lymph node ( 1 cm in diameter ) which i feel is only a reaction to the acute inflammation!.

My questions are
1) Is this dental abscess ( even though pain has decreased and i feel that nerve is still alive , or just a body reaction to an inflammation resulting in swelling )

2) I know i need to go to a dentist soon but i have an exam in 8 days!. And i will be returning to my home country in 2 months!. I dont have a insurance here in US!. Can i wait for this much time using conservative treatment!.

3!.) Can i take antibiotics now !? I am concerned if there is any infection i am overlooking!. I dont want a dental abscess at any cost!. Also i cant afford to go to a dentist soon enough because of my exam of 2 days and i dont want a nagging dental pain before my exam!. ( My pain is already of less intensity )!. If i take antibiotics now then will it develop into a dental abscess !? I dont have any fever now!.

4) The swelling wasnt there for 3 days but suddenly when i woke up today, its there!. Whats the reason!.

For your reference i am attaching a picture of the swollen gum

http://i37!.tinypic!.com/2ztbpq8!.jpgWww@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
go to a dentist immediatelyWww@Answer-Health@Com





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