Will i die do to an abcessed tooth?

I went to the ER last night cuz i thought i had an abcessed tooth. Well, the doctor said he didn't think i had one, but looking at the symptoms, i know i have one. http://www.medicinenet.com/abscessed_too...

He gave me 2 prescriptions. . . . Hydrocordone (generic to loritab) and he gave me penicillin. . . . . I started taking them about 10 hours ago. . . . . Will i be ok?

I forgot to mention, i've got a dentist appointment to have it yanked on April 25th.

As a former nurse and Healer, I DO have one thing to add to what the others have said (& please, DON'T get scared by the "...as long as it's in a pocket...could go to your brain," etc. reply. That would only applies had you neglected to get care.)
Take the anti-bx according to directions, as close to the time you're to take them as possible & TAKE THEM TIL THEY'RE GONE! (Ppl who DON'T are responsible for the significant rise in the number of drug-resistant germ strains now'days.)
You SHOULD see improvement in a couple of days+/-. Should you NOT, & the infection worsens (increased temp, swelling, pain, etc.) *demand* (politely) an emgcy dental appt or return to the ER. Many infections are resistant to penicillin (or you may have had it longer than you realized) & a different anti-bx may be needed.
Also suggest you rinse your mouth with warm (not hot) water mixed w/ baking soda or salt every few hours. It will a) reduce the pain, b) keep your mouth clean and c) encourage the infection to "point" (like a pimple does) &, eventually, burst. (Which may happen anyway. You'll know it coz of the "icky" taste.) If THAT happens, try not to swallow any of it (it's all germs), "sop it up" with a sterile piece of gauze but *always* BE SURE TO WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE & AFTER!!!
After it bursts, the pain will ease dramatically.
One more piece of advice. Take the hydrocodone as directed (1-2 every 4-6 hrs) BEFORE the pain reminds you you're hurting. Pain meds are not as effective when taken AFTER the fact. Remember, they're prescribed because you NEED them & y'needn't be afraid of addiction if taken as directed for the time you'll be on them. (Especially if u're on the rt. anti-bx. The pain should be almost gone w/in 5 days.)
Pain "was created" as a warning signal--so we know that something's wrong. Once it's purpose if fulfilled (ie, you got help), it no longer HAS any use for us and, in fact, gets in the way of healing (by preventing sleep--"the best medicine.")
If you have any further questions, feel free to write back.
Take care and may you be "Healthy, Wealthy & Wise."
--Silverbonn in Ruidoso, NM

should be fine unless your doctor told you otherwise

If untreated the infection can spread and I suppose it can eventually kill you. But it sounds like your doctor is treating it so you should be fine.

If you are taking penicillin that will help with the infection. You should go see a dentist not a doctor. A doctor cannot do anything about the abcess, the dentist can.

I had an abscess and I could have died.

It became cellulitus, and if it had reached my brain I could have died. As long as it is still in a "pocket" then your fine, but if it starts to infuse into your cells and starts to swell your face and travel then you need immediate attention.

If it was me and I was still worried, I would go and get a second opinion from another doctor or a dentist if they can help you. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Just keep up with your meds. I've seen nasty things that can happen if you dont get an abcess taken care of.....You could die from the toxins that go through your blood stream. It could eat through your face too.

If you feel it is an abscess, see a dentist immediately! I had one 2 years ago from cracking a tooth. Anyhow, my entire face swelled up on the side and I needed antibiotics for a week before the dentist would work on it! He also told me that the infection could go to the brain and that could be fatal. THEN not too long ago there was a news story of a child who died from an abscessed tooth because his mother never took him to the dentist.