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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU and being a big baby? Tooth extraction -

117 replies

seanconneryseyebrow · 03/05/2026 17:28

So after a week of excruciating pain I had my tooth extracted on Friday morning. So day 3 now. I’ve barely slept in a week, round the clock pain killers. Today I’m in so much pain, face massive, bruising. I’ve had four kids but this has knocked me for six. I just want to cry I’m so fed up.

Is it normal to feel in this much pain? Can your share your dental stories so I don’t feel like such a big baby. I can’t work I’ve basically been in bed for a week on round the clock painkillers, and there’s been tears too. V unlike me.

OP posts:
BillieWiper · 04/05/2026 09:45

The extreme pain and swelling aren't normal, no. There should be manageable discomfort that responds to pain relief that gets better each day.

I had my LL7 (next to wisdom) removed and it didn't hurt afterwards at all. Total pita to eat though as I still feel like I can't eat on one side. Three months later!

So one side underused and other side hurts from overuse! And I look like I've had buccal fat removal that went wrong as there's a dimple where the missing tooth is on my cheek?! Weird.

I hope you see your dentist tomorrow. You may need antibiotics.

MrsOni · 04/05/2026 09:44

I had dry socket after a surgical extraction and it was literally the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life, I was bouncing off the ceiling with it.

Once they pack it out it really does give instant relief.

Original poster
seanconneryseyebrow · 04/05/2026 09:26

Oh that’s great intel @Doctor1988.

OP posts:
Doctor1988 · 04/05/2026 07:01

seanconneryseyebrow · 04/05/2026 05:53

Is it really? Instant relief? I was reading it can take 10 plus days? I’ve had so much time off work (own business) and started to stress out

If they pack it with Alveogyl it’s instant but not permanent (usually lasts around 24 hours).

My dentist gave me a supply to take home and pack it myself (we are both doctors though so altered his plan!)

My colleague had go back every other day until the pain had settled to have it re packed.

Bobbybobbins · 04/05/2026 06:54

Hope the dentist can help today OP. My brother is going through similar at the moment and wants to rip his head off.

Original poster
seanconneryseyebrow · 04/05/2026 06:47

8/500mg co-codomol. Every 4 hrs. Also ibuprofen every 4 hrs 200 mg.

OP posts:
asdbaybeeee · 04/05/2026 06:43

what mg of codiene are you on? You might need stronger?

euff · 04/05/2026 06:13

Hope you are able to get some relief. I had three wisdom teeth out in one go but they were fairly ‘normal’ extractions so a bit of swelling for a day or so but nothing I didn’t expect or couldn’t deal with. The fourth was closer to your experience but doesn’t sound as bad and I also felt like I was being a baby. Paracetamol and ibuprofen didn’t do anything. I went back and was told it was dry socket.

crazycatladie · 04/05/2026 06:06

This could be dry socket which I’ve had. Hopefully you’ll get an appointment today, the relief when they’ve put this stuff on is almost instant. Good luck.

Original poster
seanconneryseyebrow · 04/05/2026 06:03

Oh yeh ice and heat packs are saving me. I’m so sick of yoghurts. Had some mash last night that was nice. I’m also uber bored. Being ill is so boring. Normally I love being lazy and watching tv. Now not so much

OP posts:
HmmWhatNameToHave · 04/05/2026 05:59

Poor you! Have you tried ice packs, use some peas wrapped in a tea towel. Max 20 mins then back in freezer for 20 mins then you can use them again. I had 4 wisdom teeth out years ago, my jar clamped shut for about a week afterwards, couldn't eat or sleep, needed antibiotics, sending huge sympathy.

Original poster
seanconneryseyebrow · 04/05/2026 05:53

Is it really? Instant relief? I was reading it can take 10 plus days? I’ve had so much time off work (own business) and started to stress out

OP posts:
4timesthefun · 04/05/2026 05:50

It sounds like a dry socket. I have had three of my four wisdom teeth removed, all at different times. I got a dry socket with each one and it was horrendous. In good news, the relief should be almost instant when it’s fixed!

SnapAndFartAllDayLong · 04/05/2026 05:40

Get some paradol (in black box) from pharmacy as it has stronger codiene in. That’s the only thing that sorted out my dental extraction pain before

Original poster
seanconneryseyebrow · 04/05/2026 03:52

Yeh I’m on codeine and ibuprofen taking every 2 hrs (alternately). I mean it defo helps. Still can’t sleep though.

OP posts:
penguinchocbar · 04/05/2026 03:51

This must be dry socket if you’re in the much pain. Good luck today I hope they sort it out x

Frozensun · 04/05/2026 03:37

i had a back bottom molar out about 6 weeks ago. It was an easier extraction than you’ve had, but I had pain for about a week until it started to fade away, in both top and bottom jaws and radiated towards the front. And little sleep. It was crap. You’ve had trauma around the jaw joint. Are you taking the Panadol (Australian term) and ibuprofen at different times? A couple of hours apart tends to give best pain coverage. You might need something with codeine in it.
It will get better, but this is blasted hard.

Original poster
seanconneryseyebrow · 04/05/2026 03:16

Anyone up? Currently crawling the walls in pain. About to throw myself down the stairs princess di stylee. Going more than a bit batshit

OP posts:
Original poster
seanconneryseyebrow · 03/05/2026 21:00

So they called back and made me an appointment for 2pm tomorrow. She said it could be the fact it was a long surgery or it could be dry socket but either way they can help: so we will see.

OP posts:
BusMumsHoliday · 03/05/2026 20:28

I've had a lot of teeth extracted for orthodontics, then because said orthodontics fucked the roots of other teeth because they moved them so much, and then most recently wisdom teeth. So I'm not easily phased. But OP, your experience sounds absolutely brutal and I'm not surprised your mouth feels bruised to hell! You're not being a baby. A dental extraction is usually minutes not more than an hour!

Hope 111 give you answers. I do think in your case, I would want to be seen before Tuesday.

horlickstablets · 03/05/2026 19:52

skiprun · 03/05/2026 18:35

You will know about it if you have dry socket. It was the most excruciating pain I’ve ever experienced. I couldnt talk, couldn’t eat drink, anything, couldn’t even think straight. It was horrendous. The pain was ‘in’ the extraction zone though and pulsating

Not necessarily, I’ve had dry socket 3 times (3 wisdom teeth!) and never had pain like that
it was a constant sort of mild throb, maybe a 3/10 that I put up with for a few days. So always worth getting it checked

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 03/05/2026 19:47

abathofmilkwithladydi · 03/05/2026 19:44

I had a tooth out a couple of months ago. Probably worse than my c section for recovery. Absolutely not being dramatic, it was fucking horrendous.

Isn’t it because teeth are near the brain that it’s so painful? Relatives have had abscesses which I haven’t had and say the pain is horrendous.

hereforthelolz · 03/05/2026 19:45

I’ve had two molars extracted in recent years - first was an abscess (SO awful) and tooth came out easily and the second was a difficult extraction but honestly within 24 hours of both I felt fine, no pain.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 03/05/2026 19:45

seanconneryseyebrow · 03/05/2026 18:52

During the (horrific) procedure my mind wandered to thinking about people in the past who had no aesthetic. I mean it was bad enough either with it! Can u imagine? How did they cope? Must have passed out from the pain and then whoever was doing it (dentistry wasn’t even a thing was it?) would carry on with the pliers I guess.

I know I’m weird to be thinking that on the bed but I just wanted to focus on how I was lucky to not feel anything per se. The crunching was awful. And the jaw pain…omg!!!

I think they basically got very drunk or they had what drugs were available at the time, eg opium laudanum, weed, morphine and chloroform plaster. Also herbal remedies.

abathofmilkwithladydi · 03/05/2026 19:44

I had a tooth out a couple of months ago. Probably worse than my c section for recovery. Absolutely not being dramatic, it was fucking horrendous.