Any dentists around? at the end of my tether!

[OracleInaCoracle]

my wisdom teeth are all through, I was supposed to have them removed a while ago but appt was cancelled and I never got another one through. anyway, one (upper) is impacted toward the inside if my mouth, there is a flap of skin over the one below it, which is being irritated by the top one. still with me?

for the last week I have been in proper agony, there feels like a lump inside my mouth (between the two teeth, which are both in the crease of my jaw) and i cant open my mouth wide, eat, or drink. Ive slept or eaten a meal for a week. i saw an emergency dentist on weds, who just cleaned the area and sent me on my way, saying that it would feel better in 24-48hrs. well, no. its actually worse, and im in tears with the pain.

is it worth calling nhs direct?

[OracleInaCoracle]

bump

[MindtheGappp]

I remember when my wisdom teeth came in, one of the bottom ones was only partially erupted for ages. Consequently, I got an infection on the inside of the gum which was very painful. If the dentist has cleaned this are for you, perhaps that is the problem. I was given antibiotics which did the trick, and once the tooth was all the way through, it was fine. I still have them all.

[MellowBirds]

I would phone NHS direct - IME they explained how to get some emergency serious pain relief (it was the middle of the night) to keep me going until I could get another dental appointment. I think I went to the emergency out of hours GP.

[OracleInaCoracle]

midthegapp, she cleaned under the flap, but that was it. the pain has spread to the top tooth now.

i think i'll call nhs direct, we havent long moved, and dont have a dentist yet (well, we do, but there arent any appointments til next month) hence the emergency dentist on weds.

[vanfurgston]

hi wat u r suffering from is called pericoronitis which happens when food debris and bacteria gets inside the flap over your tooth causing inflammation. this causes the flap to swell up and wen you bite the upper tooth traumatises the bottom one exacerbating the problem making it more inflamed and more swollen and more traumatised.

the treatment depends on how severe the problem is. first
line is irrigation under the flap and some painkillers and oral hygiene measures like saline mouthrinse or chlorhexidine

if it dsnt subside you may need antibiotics,(which i think you need as the symptoms are not subsiding and this infection can spread)

recurrent pericoronitis need removal of your wisdom tooth

do call nhs direct

HTH

[OracleInaCoracle]

Thank you so much. Nhs direct were great and said pretty much the same as you, I've got to go to the dentist tomorrow and to a&e if it doesn't get any better. This is a recurring problem, despite my oral hygiene being very, very good, so I will ask my new dentist to chase up my referral.

[OracleInaCoracle]

Thank you so much. Nhs direct were great and said pretty much the same as you, I've got to go to the dentist tomorrow and to a&e if it doesn't get any better. This is a recurring problem, despite my oral hygiene being very, very good, so I will ask my new dentist to chase up my referral.

[vanfurgston]

if it is recurrent despite good hygiene i am afraid you will need an extraction. wisdom teeth can be pesky buggers and the younger you are wen they are extracted the quicker the recovery.

hope you get better soon. i know the agony

[OracleInaCoracle]

Thanks, they are also right in the crease of my jaw. Its ridiculously painful

[vanfurgston]

oww that would be quite painful. did the painkillers not help at all?
if it is getting worse or not settling at all or you get a fever with it i think you should seek medical help