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Original poster

Root Canal - Pls help

20 replies

InnPain · 08/09/2021 21:33

I’m currently 38 weeks pregnant and suffering from the most excruciating pain in my front tooth.

I’m due root canal treatment on this particular tooth. Went to see dentist yesterday for my gum abscess and they drained the fluid out of it and started root canal. I was sent home with antibiotics (8 tablets to take daily) and have to complete the 5 day course.

I didn’t feel this bad when I went to the dentist as I do since I’ve been back. I rang them today and they said I should let the antibiotics kick in, however, I can’t endure this pain for 5 days while I complete the course. I want to pull the tooth out that’s how bad things are. I can’t sleep, can’t focus, constant throbbing pain and even talking hurts. I’ve just clenched my jaw shut as it’s unbearable.

What should I do?

OP posts:

Original poster

InnPain · 09/09/2021 03:36

I can’t believe nobody has replied 😔

OP posts:

user3193 · 09/09/2021 03:46

Oh OP. I feel for you, toothache is horrendous. Can you have the tooth removed rather than wait for root canal treatment?

Keeping the area with warm maybe with a hot water bottle on your face might help? Are you taking paracetamol?

Hope the antibiotics kick in soon ☹️

EffYouSeeKaye · 09/09/2021 03:54

Oh bless you. I remember wanting to pull a tooth out with wisdom teeth pain. Obviously not an option with a front tooth though. The antibiotics will take effect sooner than 5 days, I’m sure. Can you take paracetamol as well? I seem to remember that’s okay whilst pregnant but I’m sure you are more up to date with current advice. All all night pharmacy might be worth a call too?

If it’s still unbearable in the morning then call the dentist again, they may be able to give you something locally for the pain.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3rd trimester Dental health General health General pregnancy

Original poster

InnPain · 09/09/2021 03:55

@user3193 It’s my front tooth otherwise I’d have not even thought twice about an extraction, I’d have had it pulled out right away.

According to google a water bottle may make the infection worse so I was too scared to use it. Google recommended that I try a bag of frozen veg but it made the throbbing worse. It’s like the tooth has a pulse.

Dentist said I can take paracetamol with my antibiotics but no I haven’t yet, just been popping these penicillin tablets left right and centre.

I really hope I don’t go into labor until this is sorted.

OP posts:

Original poster

InnPain · 09/09/2021 03:57

@EffYouSeeKaye Funnily enough in my last pregnancy I had a wisdom tooth issue and dentist extracted it for me right away, it was bliss. Like you said with a front tooth it’s just not an option to get rid of it.

I’m going to try paracetamol as dentist said I could take it alongside my antibiotics.

I just want to cry - I’m going to ring them again tomorrow and beg for some help.

OP posts:

seaandsandcastles · 09/09/2021 04:04

Alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen so every two hours you’re taking a painkiller and are always covered.

Please be mindful of the 24 hour maximum dosages though and stay within that xx

EmmaGrundyForPM · 09/09/2021 04:10

Poor you. I had a horrendous time with a root canal a couple of years ago, the pain was horrendous.

The antibiotics will kick in, and it will get better. Have you got a date for the root canal work?

Original poster

InnPain · 09/09/2021 04:13

@seaandsandcastles I can’t take ibuprofen as I’m expecting but my god I know those would be effective as they are my go to painkiller when I take really bad periods.

@EmmaGrundyForPM I’ve been given an appointment for 16th September to have another check up and to see where I stand with further root canal treatment but don’t think I’m getting actual treatment on that day. I just don’t think this is the right time to faff around with baby so close to coming, I just want it resolved.

I’m terrified that after 5 days on antibiotics what if the pain is still there?

OP posts:

sjxoxo · 09/09/2021 04:13

I had a root canal a couple of years ago and the pain before was the worst I’ve ever felt- sending you a hug!!

On a practical note- I found drinking /swirling hot water helped me get some comfort. I used to boil the kettle then add some cold or leave it to cool and swirl / drink this, it helped me. You could try adding some cloves too. Also take as much medication as you can (safely obvs!) keep the timing regular and definitely take paracetamol & keep up the antibiotics! Definitely go back to the dentist if you’re not any better after 24-36hrs & make sure you have all the medication that you can have. Do you have a hospital that has a dental service? They also might be able to help you on the medication front; you could even call 111 and see if they can offer you any advice also. I’m assuming you can’t take anti inflammatories- if you’re in agony ask them if there anything else they can offer you. If these antibiotics arent working they could give you another. I had anti inflammatories, pain relief & antibiotics; plus my hot water and I did use a hot compress on my cheek & this did help me. It’s no joke to be in pain with that kind of toothache; don’t suffer alone if you need to go back to the dentist go! I went to A & E on a weekend before I could get an appt at the dentist- they had no dental service but they did give me some medication to see me through and don’t feel daft for going if you need to! Holding your hand OP xox

Plumtree391 · 09/09/2021 04:20

That's awful and frankly, doesn't sound suitable for root canal.

You need extra strong painkillers. The antibiotics will kick in and the pain gradually subside but that takes a couple of days.

Solpadeine Max are good.

Rainallnight · 09/09/2021 04:27

Poor you, that sort of pain is horrendous. Why aren’t they cracking on with the root canal straight away? If it’s that they just don’t have space can you go privately so you can do it straight away?

Original poster

InnPain · 09/09/2021 04:41

@Rainallnight I have no idea, I’m sure they could squeeze me in as an emergency. Dentist wants me to complete the antibiotics course before they entertain me again.

I’m assuming it would be hundreds of pounds privately?

OP posts:

HyacynthBucket · 09/09/2021 04:51

You poor thing OP. Dental pain can be so awful. The antibiotics should kick in soon. Keep in touch with the dentist - ring tomorrow and see what they say about maybe doing the root canal earlier than planned if you are still in pain. Clove oil to numb the gum should not be used in pregnancy but you could check with pharmacist. Hope you are getting some sleep and better day tomorrow.

merrymelody · 09/09/2021 04:54

I had a root canal recently and it was agony. I thought the pain would never stop but it did gradually get better. Took about a week.

Medievalist · 09/09/2021 05:02

Hope the antibiotics are starting to kick in op. Have you tried swilling warm salt water around the affected area? I had a wisdom tooth infection recently and that did alleviate the pain a little for me.

So sorry you're going through this when you're pregnant.

Medievalist · 09/09/2021 05:07

I’m assuming it would be hundreds of pounds privately?

I use a private dental practice (it was the only way I could get to see a dentist post lockdown). I've just looked at their treatment price list and, to give you an idea, root canal in front teeth costs from £290.

20thCenturyGhosts · 09/09/2021 05:56

Lease take the paracetamol, the pain is horrendous and won't help you to suffer on. I promise the pain will subside and ideally you don't want the tooth removed. I had similar and was necking paracetamol, ibuprofen and co codemol to get through. I understand this isn't possible if pregnant, but take what you can

Iheartmysmart · 09/09/2021 06:14

Dental pain is the worst! If you can use Anbesol liquid then I found that gave a bit of relief from the pain when used with painkillers. Think my antibiotics took a couple of days to kick in. The dentist told me they can’t treat an infected tooth which is possibly why you need to wait. Massive sympathies and I hope you feel better soon

ShrimpingViolet · 09/09/2021 06:20

Oh you poor thing. I had a terrible abscess really deep in my jaw a few years ago. My face swelled up ridiculously and I remember sobbing with the pain and that was while being able to take the full quota of paracetamol/ibuprofen.

I recommend swilling hot salt water - absolutely as hot as you can handle - round the tooth. Do it over and over and over. This drew some more of the infection out for me and it does help with the pain. Also weirdly gives you a bit of a focus and makes you feel like you're doing something rather than just enduring.

Really hope you feel better soon x

Beebopawhop · 09/09/2021 06:26

They have to make sure the infection/abscess goes before they start treatment for things like root canals which is why they're not just cracking on. Antibiotics will kick in and paracetamol you will feel better soon hang in there it's awful this pain I've had problems for years and years and am now missing teeth due to extractions ! There's clove oil you can get from. Boots and something called oragel I think and also warm water and salt gargling helps. Hope you are ok and get sorted!!!

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