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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to want to cancel our holiday after root canal problems?

34 replies

Worriedtooth · 09/05/2026 09:27

AIBU to want to cancel our holiday?

I have had a flare up of toothache. After many dentist visits I had the first stage of a root canal treatment on Tuesday. By Friday I was back in pain, with an infection underneath the tooth. The dentist re-did the root canal filling. I won’t know if it has worked for a few days. It may become infected again, in which case I would need an extraction.

i am due to go on holiday, Corfu for two weeks, on Monday, in two days. I won’t necessarily know if it has worked before we fly, I could have another infection on holiday, and the stress of finding a dentist, being in pain etc

My husband is still keen to go. I am very anxious about it all.

We are insured, and would rebook somewhere when everything is sorted.

OP posts:
Original poster
Worriedtooth · 09/05/2026 16:52

CornishTiger · 09/05/2026 16:48

I think you need to cancel your husband. This level of uncare and concern is not ok.

He should be prioritising your health and wellbeing over his wish to go to the sun for a fortnight.

Barely taking to you over this- this is abusive. It’s a way to keep you feeling on edge so you back down.

Cancel, get well and reevaluate why you are even needing to ask if this is ok. It’s not.

Thanks for these comments, you are right of course.

It’s sometimes hard to see clearly when you are in the middle of things.

OP posts:
ThisMustBeMyDream · 09/05/2026 16:52

I started with toothache mid flight. I have always had issues with my teeth. Reoccurring abcesses. Anyway, this pain was in the opposite side to my usual problem area. I always take my arsenal of drugs (metronidazole, paracetamol, ibuprofen plus I have pr volterol, tramadol and oramorph all prescribed for toothache problems) but I knew when it wasn't working well enough after 24 hours I'd have to find a dentist. I did, and after paying €190 he performed a miracle - I've never been able to be numbed enough for treatment in the UK which is the reason behind the multiple absesses (the tooth needs to come out now but unable to be numbed on on a very long waiiting list for GA). Anyway, he successfully numbed me and did a root canal and popped a temporary filling on. Was told to go to my dentist when I got home. Rest of the holiday was totally pain free. Best money I ever spent. Nhs dentistry is dreadful in comparison to the care I had in Tenerife. My own dentist said they won't do root canal on the tooth as its a wisdom tooth. All they will do is remove it. So 2 years later I'm left with a huge hole in my wisdom tooth that everything gets stuck in because of course the temp filling is long gone. And I'm stuck on a waiting list for removal. Most of the tooth is broken off now but just left with sharp bits that dig in to me. You have no idea how tempting it is to fly back to Tenerife in the hope they could numb me again and do the removal!!

Original poster
Worriedtooth · 09/05/2026 16:50

bubblepink2749 · 09/05/2026 16:44

I doubt this will be a popular opinion but if the tooth is at the back of the mouth I would just have it removed 🫣 I would cancel and re-book the holiday.

Yes, that’s my next option if this root canal fails again. Could be next week! I have been trying to hang on to the tooth since I will probably need partial dentures, I’ve had a few teeth removed. My teeth seem to easily crack.

Sadly my husband has said he’ll still go if I don’t want to, I don’t want to be bullied into going. I would prefer to cancel, sort the tooth out, and then rebook.

OP posts:
CornishTiger · 09/05/2026 16:48

I think you need to cancel your husband. This level of uncare and concern is not ok.

He should be prioritising your health and wellbeing over his wish to go to the sun for a fortnight.

Barely taking to you over this- this is abusive. It’s a way to keep you feeling on edge so you back down.

Cancel, get well and reevaluate why you are even needing to ask if this is ok. It’s not.

bubblepink2749 · 09/05/2026 16:44

I doubt this will be a popular opinion but if the tooth is at the back of the mouth I would just have it removed 🫣 I would cancel and re-book the holiday.

Jackiepumpkinhead · 09/05/2026 16:22

I think you also need to tell your insurance company that you’ve had a root canal procedure.

Net123456 · 09/05/2026 14:05

Would you feel better about going if you could find a good dentist in the holiday resort? Look on Facebook to see if there a “residents and visitors” page or similar and ask for recommendations on there and see what they say, might help you make your mind up. Also check with your insurance to make sure you would be covered if you cancel, also check with the holiday company and see if you can postpone with no penalty

Original poster
Worriedtooth · 09/05/2026 13:57

Thanks for your reply! This is one of the things I’m worried about. I think the change in air pressure can cause severe pain!

Did you lose the tooth in the end?

I think the infection maybe returning, the pain’s building up again this afternoon. My husband, however, can’t understand, and is bearly speaking to me.

d xx

OP posts:
Imfukinradiant · 09/05/2026 09:39

I’d reschedule it. I flew 2 years ago with an infection under the first stage of a root canal. I thought I’d be okay on the antibiotics. The pain as we ascended is like nothing I have ever endured before. I was in agony the whole flight. It was horrific. I then had to find an emergency dentist who cleared me out of €300 to slice my gum with a scalpel and no anaesthetic. She drilled out the temporary filling and left it open so the pus wouldn’t build up. The whole experience was horrible and ruined my holiday.

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