I have a wisdom tooth comming in, and I grind my teeth at night. Well needless to say the new tooth has rubbed the inside of my cheek totally raw on the inside right. It's swollen and very inflamed. I can't go to the dentist (money is tight and no insurance) so I am attempting to help it heal on it's own. I am using salt water soaks, and listerine. Also taking IB profin for the swelling, and taking some ammoxicillin for the abscess that has surfaced. My lymph node has stopped being swollen so I think it's helping, but the inside of my mouth is still horribly raw and very uncomfortable. It hurts to eat, chew, talk, stick out my tongue, open my mouth far, it just all over hurts. I bought a mouth guard which I now sleep with to help with the grinding, but my question is do you think it's safe to put Neosporin on the inside of my mouth on the affected area before I go to bed. Also any suggestions? I even tried Ambasol (sp) and Orajel which was making it worse!! Please serious answers only!
125292
Don't put Neosporin in your mouth, it could be toxic to the stomach. If not could make you real ill. If you do happen to attempt this stunt and anything happens please call the poison control center. My advice would be this:\n\nTry sea salt soaks, and peroxide. I would hold off on Listerine because it has alcohol in it and might irritate it further. Salt should help bring the abscess out and take alot of the soreness away. The IB profin should keep it from getting really inflamed. Also if you can bear it, take a handful or a nice big pinch of salt, and put it directly on the sore! Leave it there for as long as you can stand it, then rinse with salt water or peroxide. (just careful not to swallow) It will most deff. bring the abscess in your mouth out quicker than if you just let it heal, it will probably take about a week or two to heal fully. If the abscess breaks be careful not to swallow any of the infection because it will make you sick and dizzy. Rinse well and maybe place a cotton swab over it (Depending on how bad it is) to keep the infection from running down your throat and you digesting some. GL with this, I've had abscessed teeth before, and it's no fun. You really need to see a Dentist if possible, but if this is out of the question...try the soaks and stuff and continue with the antibiotics and IB profin for pain. You'll get better soon, and if not seek medical attention ASAP! Best wishes
547198
I know how bad you must be hurting- so found this info for you.... hope it helps/..\n\n\nCanker sores are shallow, painful sores in your mouth. They are usually red or may sometimes have a white coating over them. You might get them on the inside of your lips, the insides of your cheeks, the base of your gums or under your tongue. Canker sores are different from fever blisters, which usually are on the outside of your lips or the corners of your mouth.\n\nAnyone can get canker sores, but women people in their teens and 20s get them more often. Canker sores may run in families, but they aren't contagious. Doctors don't know what causes canker sores, but they may be triggered by stress, poor nutrition, food allergies and menstrual periods.\n\nCanker sores usually go away without any treatment. For pain relief, you can try taking ibuprofen (brand name: Advil) or acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol). Other medicines, such as Anbesol, Oragel, Orabase and Zilactin-B, might keep your canker sores from becoming irritated by eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. You put these medicines right on the sore.\n\nYou can also mix equal amounts of Milk of Magnesia and Benadryl Allergy liquid. After it's mixed, you can swish a teaspoonful in your mouth for about 1 minute and then spit it out. If you do this every 4 to 6 hours, your canker sores may hurt less.\n\nSome people think that sucking on zinc lozenges, taking vitamin C or vitamin B complex, using a sage-and-chamomile mouthwash or taking a lysine supplement helps their canker sores heal faster.
665785
when did you have the extractions done?  do the white things feel sharp to your tongue?  are you in pain?  dentist's will respond over the weekend if it's a true emergency and your answers to the above questions determine the answer.  if you're in pain and your meds have run out, try ibprofen, aspirin or tylenol or call your pharmacy and request a refil of your meds.  if the white things are sharp, they may be bone splinters, if not they may be the scabs forming.  the puffiness may take up to ten days to subside depending on the state of your health, immune status, age etc.  ibprofen or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or the aspirin would be best for the swelling, if you're able to take them.  also ice packs are very helpful as is a quite weekend and a lot of rest..
205718
Just a scrape, nothing to worry about unless you cough up any blood (indicating you have a cut or tear rather than just a scrape).\n\nThe tissue in your mouth and through is called mucous membrane.  The bad news is, it gets irritated really easily and hurts to an annoying degree.  The good news is it's just about the most rapidly healing tissue in the human body.  \n\nChew your food really well, maybe grab yourself a Jamba juice or something (you'd put ice on a bruise, right?  This is the same thing) to keep the inflammation (swelling) down.  The pain should go away in 2-4 days.
233676
This is normal. Having teeth removed, especially if there is a cyst involved. is considered surgery. Depending on the level of complication, it could even be considered major surgery. Swelling is ALWAYS worse 1 - 2 days after the procedure is done. Just refrain from smoking, drinking out of a straw, or anything else that requires a sucking action. Also... if you are rinsing with a slat wter solution, make sure it is ONLY 1tsp per full glass of water. Anything more will hamper with the healing process. The things to watch for are... severe pain (ie 8 - 10 on a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being the worst), a red line going from the area of the extraction down your neck (it would look like someone took a red marker and drew on your skin), or a really bad taste (not like the tase of blood that I'm sure you are experiencing now, but more of a rotting taste) and severe oozing (not like the little bit I'm sure you are seeing now, but enough that you feel like you are swallowing all the time). If ANY of these things happen, call your dentist IMMEDIATELY. Everyone tolerates pain and surgery differently, but these three things are the standard "something is really wrong" markers.
655146
SWOLLEN GUMS IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE OR NORMAL.  let the nurse stick with nursing.  maybe salt water has miracle properties at the hospital but in your mouth it does nothing.  go to the dentist immediately.  if you wait you might end up in the ER with a serious infection and then the dentist after that anyway.  talk about expensive.  don't wait til it's something serious and you lose a tooth.
470581
It can be, I would alternate between rubbing some Abreva on it and plain old neosporin.  Keep the area clean but moist, dryness will make it crack and start to bleed more.  You poor thing!  I feel so bad for you.  They really hurt don't they!  Take it easy and I hope this helps and that you heal and feel better soon!
284788
I had all four of mine pulled in the Navy, out on the ship - so they didn't even put me out.  Just gave me novacaine (which didn't work - they didn't give me enough, I still felt everything).  Avoid smoking and sucking on things until you are all healed.  Otherwise you'll get dry socket.  I didn't, but I heard it's extremely painful.  Follow your instructions from your dentist, he may tell you not to gargle with alcoholic mouth wash for a while.  When mine were pulled they gave me Tylenol 3 and Motrin 800.  I only used a total of 4 Motrins over the course of 2 days just to keep the swelling down.  I didn't have hardly any swelling, or extra bleeding.  Just keep clean gause in the back.  It was uncomfortable, but not nearly as painful as everyone always says.  I ate Easy Mac, Top Ramen - things of that nature for a couple days.  Something easy to swallow and didn't invole much chewing.  You'll be just fine.\nGood Luck
674268
I researched your problem and the only solution is the mouth-guard.\n\n"How is it treated? \n\nIf the damage is not advanced, your dentist can make you a mouthguard that fits over your lower set of teeth and prevents the two sets of teeth from grinding against each other. See below for treatments using neurofeedback to reduce stress, etc."\n\nAs for the sores already present, you can try Orajel.  Most know Orajel is used for baby gums when new teeth are arriving, but if you go to the source listed below for Orajel and click on "Why Choose Orajel?" near the top of the page, then click "Mouth Sores", you can see how it may help you.
65849
Sounds like your tooth is infected.  If you don't have insurance and can't afford the dentist, I would suggest going to the emergency room... at least there they can prescribe you an antibiotic and some pain medication.  Even without insurance, an emergency room at a hospital has to see you and treat you.  The antibiotic will take care of the infection now and the pain should go away.. however, beware.. until you see a dentist and have the tooth either fixed or taken out, it's going to eventually become infected again and you'll once again be in pain.  \n\nUntil you can either get to a dentist or get to an emergency room, you can take 800 mg of Ibuprofen which is prescription strength for the pain.  It has an anti-inflammatory in it so it's going to work better than Tylenol or aspirin.\n\nGood luck to you.
314309
Dear Lillypetal,\nhi.. im a Dentist. the clenching U say u got is called Bruxism. did U get a filling done recently? it maybe cos a little extra filling material was put into the cavity(called a high point) its like a bump n u may subconsciously be trying to get your teeth to close well but aren able to.\nthis may sound stupid.. but when was the last time U went in for De worming medication....? u may require a course. ask your pharmacist. (ALBENDAZOLE)\nsomeone else suggested U get a guard that sports people use( such as football players or even boxers) u might want to try that.\ndo U have wax in your ears? if so then u need a clean up. use a wax dissolving liquid(ask for something with Paradichlorobenzene and benzocaine in it)\nif u got loads of problems on your mind n like U say u reallly need the sleep U could take 0.25mg of Alprazolam..its an anti anxiety drug. please don take on regular basis!\nYour cheek muscles(especially just below your ear) could hurt real bad when U wake up. try soaking a towel in warm water n applying in it.steamin could help too.\ntry chewing on some bubblegum.\nif facial muscle soreness is a problem U could have muscle spasm. in that case take an anti spasmodic(something U use for menstrual cramps show do just fine). donot take it if Ur facial muscles don feel sore.\ntry sucking on a lozenge.\nlastly this show help in some way or the other- follow religiously before U go to bed...brush teeth really wellusing the least amount of force U can(NOT TOO HARD!!). floss gently. see that teeth are squeaky clean.\nuse a good mouthwash(preferably something with CHLOREXHIDINE and ZINC) if not available. thorough warm salt water gargles should help.\ni have never seen U so i need U to make a decision as to what exactly is your problem.. thats why the long list of possible solutions.!\ntake care n really hope U get some sleep tonight.\nsweet dreams!
378084
cold water/ice pack, it is avaliable in supermarkets nd stuff i have no back teeth yet and constanly feel pain. i use one against my cheek it  relives pain for a good while!            if not ask your local pharmisists they will propably give you antibiotics. there is an actual medicine for  this, at the dentist, i got mine from the orthidontist or the hygenist, AWFUL stuff!
178866
You have to do the work.  If you are not brushing properly and using a floss threader and flossing EVERYDAY then your gums will not heal.  Braces are even worse on teeth and gums as they get everything caught in them.  The bacteria and food debris just sits there on those brackets and wires, which in turn your body wants to fight off, hence you get swollen sore gums.  I know that trying to floss with a full-set of braces is a pain.  It is even for me when I have to floss one of my ortho patients, and I am a hygienist. I can't imagine having to do this at home. But you can do it.  You just have to make the time.  An electric toothbrush is a great thing for people with braces, it does not have to be an expensive one, the pulsar by oral-b is a great one and it costs about six dollars at walmart.  You have to take even better care of your mouth then the average person does when you have braces.  The only way to get all of the nasties out of your mouth is to brush, then floss, making sure to go under your wires by using super floss or a floss threader, taking care to wrap each side of the tooth like a "C" shape to clean each side of the tooth and under the gum-line, and then following by a vigorous swish with mouthwash or salt water.  The salt water is a great way to help heal the gums up and make them less sore.  Yes it tastes nasty, but it is a tried and true method.  Just try to remember that you will not have to wear braces forever, and once they are off you will have a great smile, as long as you do the work now.
498692
Oh, I feel for you, I dealt with tooth pain for many years before finally having them pulled and getting an upper denture. Drink from a straw, nothing too cold or acidy. Get some over the counter tooth ache jell. It will help calm the pain, and if you are not allergic, advil worked great for me. Advil/Ibuprophen is a nonsteroidal antiflamitory agent, so it will reduce inflamation. I also had problems with infection, so get to the dentist ASAP for propholactic antibiotics. You dont want infection so close to your brain, could get really bad quick.
90271
If it's a tooth hurting, then yes there could be possible infection in the tooth.  If it's just your jaw hurting then it's probably not an infected tooth.  I would suggest going to an Oral Surgeon rather than a general dentist so they can have a look... they have the equipment to take the necessary xrays of the jaw and they also specialize in doing surgeries of the jaw, face, etc.
607559
I wouldn't panic just yet.  The swelling is a normal response the body has to most injuries. It sends extra fluid to the injured area to act as a shock absorber for the injured area. This lymph fluid is the main transportation mode for carrying dead cells such as dried blood and any infection that may occur - more likely if the is a cut at the site.  That extra fluid also causes more pressure on the nearby nerves that allow your finger to feel hot, cold, pressure, pain etc.  Frequently the numbness is caused by the pressure the extra fluid places on these nerves.  It's rather bothersome because of the numbness however it can also be a positive if the numbness blocks some of the pain receptors.  If the numbness continues after the swelling has decreased (3-4 days) you may want to go to the doctor. Nerves that are not part of the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain) fequently regenerate after a short amount of time.  One common example of this is the novacane shot that makes your lip or tongue numb for 2 days instead of 2 hours- it's really annoying but slowly the sensation returns.  Good luck!
317454
If it wasn't a baby tooth that fell out, there might be roots or something in there that are getting infected.  But who knows?  Lots of things heal on their own.\n\nMake sure you're flushing it with enough water so there's NO tiny bits of food trapped in it.\n\nSwish with warm salt water every 2 hours... I think it's 1/4t.  per c. of water.\n\nAmbecil helps.\n\nMake a diluted solution of peroxide and warm water to swish with.\n\nAlso, a wet, cold tea bag placed on it and VERY gently bitten down.\n\nMake a blender drink with ice and juice.  Or just ice and water.\n\nGood luck.  Tooth pain is terrible.