How could you tell if an infection around a wisdom tooth has spread?

Question

I went to the dentist on Thursday and he said I have pericoronitis around my bottom right wisdom tooth. He prescribed me chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse to use 3 times a day as well as salty mouth rinses after meals. The pain is a bit better today, but it's still very swollen and red. Now the redness is behind it too, kind of towards my throat, but not quite to my throat. Does this mean the infection has spread or is it just a reaction to the infection by my wisdom tooth? I'm not sure if I should call the dentist tomorrow or not.

Answer 1

Wow.....how many more questions?  Sounds like you are healing....BUT if you are not sure about YOUR situation you need to call YOUR doctor.....If you do not TRUST what your doctor has prescribed, then find another one you can TRUST. The people on YA are just guessing without looking as to what your problem really is.....

Answer 2

you probably should be taking antibiotics also.  i had an infected tooth which really didn't cause me much discomfort, like you, i used chlorhexidine mouthwash (which is available over the counter) a few months later i developed a swelling in my neck.  it turned out the infection had travelled through my jaw bone into the space of my neck and caused an abscess.  i was admitted to hospital immediately and operated on the next morning.  i seriously would not wait, go back to your dentist and get some antibiotics which will only clear the infection temporarily, but enough that he can do something with the bad tooth before it gets any worse.