AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education/Credentials BA
DMD
Awards and Honors National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude
Question Hi...it was last week that my tooth cracked off for no reason....it didnt hurt at all when it cracked...then like two days later it started throbbing...it was extremly painful...so i went to my dentist the next day because i was just goin to get it pulled out...but my dentist told me that it was really infected...my gum was swollen and everything........so he put me atasol30 and clindamycin for 10 days...and in 10 days he will pull it out....so i started taking my pills and in 24 hours my face was swollen(right side cheek/jaw)......i called a local health line and didnt really help must...just told me to continue taking my medication.but if i get short of breath go to the hospital......my tooth doesnt hurt no more...the swelling in my gums is gone down...i just got alot of swelling on my face now...and my lip is starting to swell now as well...i dont know what it is..i kinda got a feeling i am allergic to the antibiotic but i dot know...help
Answer Jamie - Of course without seeing your particular situation I can only speculate about what you are going through. In general, not removing an infected tooth, even with associated swelling is inappropriate. The source of infection must be removed or effects of the infection can spread. Antibiotics do not eliminate infections, but only attempt to contain them until the source is eliminated.
The secondary swelling you are now experiencing is most likely still due to the tooth itself. Have the tooth removed now. The dentist you saw is not knowledgeable or not experienced enough to know that the source of an infection needs to be removed. If that dentist will not immediately remove the tooth seek an extraction from a local oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The surgeon will know what to do.
Best of luck. Get the extraction soon. Any further questions feel free to contact me again.
