I just had a dental abscess. i have been taking antibiotics and painkillers for four days, but they are not helping at all. what should i do?

Dental Abscess: If there was a dental consultation to evaluate the possibility of an abscess, antibiotics usually take a few days to take effect. If the symptoms continue, it is very important to return to the dentist to evaluate why the symptoms are continuing to persist.

Need re-evaluation: Dental abscesses can be caused by a number of different bacteria with different sensitivities and resistances to antibiotics. If the antibiotic is not producing some resolution of the abscess, your dentist may need to either treat you with another antibiotic or possibly consider incising and draining the abscess.

Not a cure: Antibiotics and pain meds don't cure infected (abscessed) teeth, just reduce the severity of symptoms. You need 1) different antibiotic and root canal treatment or extraction. Pills alone will not cere your abscess.

Antibiotics only?: Depending on the cause and severity of the abscess, antibiotics may be of little value, unless the cause of your infection is definitively treated. Usually root canal treatment, periodontal gum surgery or tooth extraction are needed to actually treat your problem. Antibiotics work best in conjunction with the above mentioned treatment. See your dentist or appropriate dental specialist.