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Original poster

Dental - should I wait it out

38 replies

Elliejane · 28/03/2025 08:31

Hi

I would like some advice if possible to see if I am being unreasonable . I started feeling pain a few months ago on my 2nd back lower molar (it already has large filling about half the tooth years ago). Dentist confirmed it had some decay and would need to remove existing filling and then see how bad it was if it needed root canal or an extraction.

Anyway on Monday i had filling removed but the receptionist had not allowed enough space in his diary so he put I think some sort of temp filling . No root canal was done but he said he has removed all decay . I needed 2 injections to numb as it was so close to root a deep filling.

He said i would have some sensitivity and pain this week but it should resolve in 7 days . Next stage if no issues after a week was a permanent crown in 8 weeks time.

However every day I have been in significant pain since injection wore off with no improvement on day 5 now. My pain is on tooth itself (throbbing and aching ), in my cheek and lower jaw (i can feel it very tender to touch my cheek and jaw like someone punched me) radiates to chin and ear and even when i swallow. I also have a ulcer next to tooth that was filled on gum that stings so much.

I went back to see my dentist on Wed who basically said wait another 4 days as I said it would be sore.

He thinks my muscle in jaw might be damaged due to 2 injections and tooth is sore because it was close to root and not necessary have any issues. With the ulcer he asked if I had put anything on gum but all I have used is genigel which I used before many times with no issues so I cant think it is that . Could it be trauma from the filling ?

He said no point taking tooth out as would only make my muscle pain worse and would be more pain .

I am not sure if this is normal or is it the tooth causing it all . I wish i had it removed now and that would been the end of it .

What should I do next . I am worried its not improving and living on painkillers every few hrs is not something I can continue .

I cant sleep and their is not even slight improvement since it was done

OP posts:
Reallyoldperson · 28/03/2025 19:48

Please don’t use Oil of Cloves that someone recommended.

gamerchick · 28/03/2025 19:28

Have you tried some oragel? The red one, it might help numb it up. Use cold not heat. The cold shrinks the blood vessels away from where the pain is

When you're sat in front of the dentist, tell him you're not leaving until it's been taken out. In all honesty I'd try and get in as an emergency somewhere.

Original poster
Elliejane · 28/03/2025 15:51

My dentist is private 😩. There is no nhs at all where i live . Tried today but no have to call back monday as he not work Fridays

I am already on max pain relief now

Will try the sleeping upright tips though

I really want to just remove it now . If I could I would . My husband no sympathy said shpuld just said take it out on monday but ok to say in hindsight

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 28/03/2025 12:50

Depending where you live, try Emerdency.

Difficultwill · 28/03/2025 12:17

I had terrible toothache. Waited 4 days to see the NHS dentist who said I had bruised the root! I was so sore I saw a private dentist the same day who did an X-ray and the tooth was knackered and decayed. They took it out there and then!!!! So much relief. If you can afford a private opinion I would go for it as the NHS just don’t have the time to investigate things properly. The NHS urgent appointment was scheduled to only last 15 minutes whereas the private was for 30 so investigations were undertaken. I don’t knock the NHS but I am saving all I can at the moment so I can keep going private. Not cheap!!!!!!! Good luck but don’t leave it till the weekend when they may well be closed.

Nannydoodles · 28/03/2025 11:57

For short term pain relief try ibuprofen and codeine, you can buy it over the counter, it’s really good for toothache and as said before, gargle with saltwater several times a day.
Has the dentist suggested antibiotics at all?, I had really severe pain which I thought was from a tooth but turned out to be an infection in the roots

  • some pharmacists can prescribe them now I believe.
DontStopMe · 28/03/2025 11:50

If you can, go see a private dentist. I had root canal problems, and while my NHS dentist did her best, she didn't have the more specialised equipment that was needed to see what was really going on in the depths.

TennesseeStella · 28/03/2025 11:42

If you can afford to, I would see another private dentist for a second opinion.

HellsBalls · 28/03/2025 11:40

Get that fucker extracted.

Oceangreen · 28/03/2025 11:32

I would go back to the dentist today and sit in the waiting room until you are able to be seen. Hopefully they’ll have a cancellation.

Get them to check it again. I had a root canal and it got infected and it was over a four day bank holiday weekend and I literally wanted to die the pain was so bad. I got co-codomol for the pain via 111 in the end, but it got worse not better until I was seen by dentist again 4 days later. There is nothing worse than tooth pain. If they can’t see you today, ask them for a recommendation for a dentist open over the weekend. Hopefully it will resolve itself and start to feel better, but at least have backup incase the pain gets worse over the weekend. If it’s infected you may need antibiotics, the dentist can prescribe those. Good luck, I feel for you

JeanGenieJean · 28/03/2025 11:27

It sounds awful, I sympathise as I know how painful toothache is.
It sounds like a lot of pain considering he thinks it'll get better.
Have you tried Oil of Cloves? That usually helps, and as pp said, gargling with salt water.
I do hope you get relief very soon.

gamerchick · 28/03/2025 11:26

I would say speak to another dentist but we all know what that's like these days.

No way I'd put up with that. Tell him to take it out. I'd expect soreness from the injections, my gobs a bugger for them but that doesn't sound right. Does my head in when they insist on fucking about with root canals. Is the price the same for a root canal as it is for an extraction?

Chimummy73 · 28/03/2025 11:21

No advice to offer other than try and sleep propped up rather than flat, cold flannel on the outside of swollen area helps as does gargling with salt water - suffered horrendous pain during lockdown but thankfully this did the trick eventually. Childbirth is definitely preferable 🫣