I started having pain in a bottom left molar about two months ago, but I kept taking Aleve, and it helped. Anbesol also seems to help if I use it with Aleve but not by itself. I didn’t call my dentist (2 hours away) about it because I hoped it would go away. Besides that, I got scared about what might be happening to my tooth, and I hate drills or anything else that goes along with getting a tooth fixed. I have pain and swelling in my tooth.

Right now, the swelling is worse than the pain. I thought the jaw pan was TMJ, but my mom says it’s an infection. I’m swamped with classes at UGA and am afraid of falling further behind with this tooth issue. Can I wait another week or two, or do I have to try to find another dentist? Also, is there anything else I can do at home to maybe calm things down because I really prefer to see my dentist? – Thanks. Rylan from Georgia

Rylan – You should not put off making a dental appointment. Your tooth is infected and will worsen until it is treated. Although your jaw pain may have felt like TMJ symptoms, the infection is probably causing bone pain.

How Long Can You Keep Using Anbesol for Your Toothache?

If you began to feel tooth pain two months ago, it is time to stop using Anbesol and see a dentist. An untreated can also affect other teeth. The infection can spread into the bloodstream and become life-threatening as time progresses. You may be able to quickly get a recommendation on a dentist from a friend or family member. Many dentists accept emergency appointments. Look online for an experienced dentist who accepts emergency appointments. They will examine your tooth and stop the pain. The dentist will explain your treatment plan. You can expect root canal treatment, and you will probably need a dental crown to protect the tooth.

Get your infection treated quickly.

San Antonio prosthodontist Dr. Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.