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My Mother has developed an abscess and when I took her to the dentist, she wouldn't open her mouth. The dentist referred her to an oral surgeon who will have to sedate her. This concerns me, but the abscess concerns me more. Any suggestions or experience with this? Thank you.

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Luckily, the sedation with dentistry is usually 'light' and not a GA that requires you have this done in a surgical center.

And yes, the abscess will come back. If you are prepared to be on the constant watch for the abscess all the time--I'd probably see how the antibiotics work out but keep the sedated dental work in your back pocket.

(My DIL is a board certified anesthesiologist and does dental sedation all day, every day. Mostly kids, but some adults.) She uses the MINIMUM amount of sedation for the job. Pulling an infected tooth would only take 20 minutes. That's a very short period of time to be 'under'.
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dlpandjep Feb 2020
Thank you!  It's encouraging to know that it should be an easy extraction.  I can't imagine what it will be like for her waking up to the discomfort of a pulled tooth.  🤢
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Why would the abscess come back? I have never had a tooth removed from having an infection, mine usually start in my sinuses, but still an abscess in my tooth.

I would wait and see if it was me. Having a tooth removed is not always the solution.

Can you get her to gargle? If you can, maybe putting some colloidal silver in a bit of warm water, gargle and swallow. I find it really helped my dad with his oral hygiene.
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dlpandjep Feb 2020
Yes - I have her gargle most every night.  Never heard of colloidal silver.  I'll look into that.  Thanks!
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If you do go ahead with the removal of the tooth it will not be easy.
The sedation is a problem for people with dementia and she may not return to her "baseline" of presurgey cognition.
Second you will have to deal with an open wound in her mouth that will require care. Will she be compliant with the after care needed?
Will she need follow up after? If so she would probably need to be sedated again. If so see first comment above.....
I would opt for antibiotics and no surgery.
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dlpandjep Feb 2020
She had to have a tooth removed about 5 years ago and did well.  Her dementia is much more advanced now and that is my biggest concern.  I can't keep her on antibiotics the rest of her life - obviously.  I don't expect that she'll object to gargling salt water - I just have to rely on what the Drs. tell me and three (GP's and one dentist) say that if it's an abscess, it needs to come out.  Thanks for your reply!
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Did he give her antibiotics?

I would ask him what type is used and ask her PCP to prescribe them if he didn't. I would do that before I saw an oral surgeon.

That has been my experience with abscess treatment. One time I was getting on a plane the next day and the dentist lanced it to alleviate the pressure, but the normal treatment is antibiotics.

Best of luck, they are no fun and quite dangerous if not treated.
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dlpandjep Feb 2020
Yes, she's been on antibiotics for a week now.  The swelling went down, but the dentist warned me that if the tooth is not removed, it will come back.  Thanks for your comment.  Bless you! 💙
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