Gum infection from pulled teeth.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: Gum infection following extractions
From: beesticker.aol.com (Beesticker)
Date: 13 Jan 2000 11:47:24 GMT

>Four weeks ago I had two adjacent back teeth extracted. The hole has not completely healed yet, and has resulted in slight gum inflammation in other areas of my mouth too. My dentist offered me penicillen (again !) but I refused because, even with acidophilus, it upsets my system and makes me feel even more dreadful.

Is there another antibiotic you can use that doesn't cause an upset system?

>I have tried salt , Listerine, and diluted TCP mouthwashes- they seem to be keeping it in check but not curing it.

You definitely want to clear this up.

>I have been experiencing vision disturbances- i.e. like flashes of fork lightening at the side outer edges of my vision and sometimes the glands under my chin feel a bit hard. I think that the lightening flashes are due to the infection- am I right, or could that be yet another problem?

OK, there are two main Bad Things about this sort of mouth infection. It could turn into an abcess - this is incredibly horribly painful, will require surgical drainage (also a nasty experience) and then antibiotics, possibly by IV if it gets *really* bad. You don't want to go there. The other Bad Thing is that this sort of infection can spread - to other areas of the face and skull, or to the heart and its valves. You don't want to go there, either.

Your swollen glands indicate that there is a serious infection going on. You say other areas of your mouth are showing signs of infection, which means it has started to spread. Those "lightning flashes" could mean the infection is spreading upward, towards your eyes (eye nerves sometimes express pain as light instead of pain).

Now, if you get plenty of rest your body might fight this off on its own. Or you might get really really sick. Herbal/natural remedies might help, but they work slowly and if you have a sudden flare up in the intensity I suggest you go to a "western" doctor. What you do is your choice, but you might want to go to an oral surgeon (in other words, get a second opinion), or an ear-nose-throat doctor. You might HAVE to take antibiotics to clear this up. If the choice is between permanent damage to your heart or your face and jaw and having an "upset system" for a week or two, which would you choose?

Hopefully, it will never get that bad, just be aware that things could get nasty. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery.