I am on antibotics and a painkiller. I have appointment next week to have it pulled. The painkiller only works for about an hour. Heat makes it feel better but will it increase the swelling?
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#1 by dental asst on February 17, 2010 - 7:08 am
Yes the swelling will increase with heat..
It usually takes 2 – 3 days for the antibiotic to get into your system.
When you take a pain pill, wait 2 hours.. then you can take up to 800 mgs. of ibuprofen, 2 hrs later you can take you pain pill again.
This will make life easier till antibiotic kicks in…
Sorry you hurt,
#2 by Ron's wife on February 17, 2010 - 11:09 am
Heat is perfect! DO NOT apply cold! You have an infection and cold can make matters worse! The infected area could begin to feel tight. Heat will keep the bacteria moving.
Rinse with salt water too! This can decrease bacterial content.
#3 by Anonymous on February 17, 2010 - 12:13 pm
Hot and cold compresses aren’t going to help as much as getting the right medications in your system.
If the pain killer is only lasting for one hour, then call your doctor so you can get a better prescription. Like the others said, the best thing for swelling is an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen, Advil, or Motrin. You can take up to 800mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours AND take the pain killer as directed.
I hope you feel better soon. It will get better, I promise
#4 by enamel on February 17, 2010 - 1:49 pm
If you want the most enormous pimple you have ever seen and a nice scar for life, then use the heat. Do not use heat, stick with ice. You will draw the infection to the surface with heat, therefore no heat as the surface we are talking about is your face! If heat is that beneficial to the alleviation of your pain rinse your mouth with warm water. Use the antibiotics and pain meds and hang in there!
#5 by Michelle - Dental Hygienist, USA on February 17, 2010 - 6:54 pm
if heat feels better use it. the antibiotics will help with the swelling. also ibuprophen is an anti-inflammatory so i would recommend that as well.
#6 by peggy m on February 18, 2010 - 12:32 am
You will want to apply heat then cold paks. A doctor had me do this when I had a sever facial infection. He says the heat made the antibiotic and my own immune system fight faster and the cold took care of the resulting swelling.
#7 by Laura Y on February 18, 2010 - 4:47 am
Heat can draw all the abcess to the surface, so yes your face will probably get larger, use ice