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Original poster

Wide awake with the worst toothache

28 replies

TwoThreeFourDive · 10/04/2022 00:22

It came on last night out of nowhere. All the right side of my face. I’m in the most intense pain I’ve ever been in, I can barely
Think straight. I have an ‘emergency’ appointment at my dentist for Monday evening but I’m not sure I can last that long. NOTHING is touching the pain. It’s throbbing. My face has started to swell and my cheek is very hot to touch so clearly an infection. Can I be prescribed antibiotics whilst I wait for my appointment? I cannot cope, I don’t know what to do 😢

OP posts:
MasterOfOne · 10/04/2022 00:26

I am here xx
Have you called 111 or have a walk in center you can attend in the morning??
What have you taken so far??
Nb. Not a medical expert

TankFlyBoss · 10/04/2022 00:28

That's probably an abscess, some warm salt water rinses may help, as May sleeping with your head elevated but if you can try to get a quicker appointment. 111 should help.

ElenaSt · 10/04/2022 00:29

Ibuprofen to bring the swelling down and gargle with warm, not hot salt water.

I had the symptoms you describe and went to my dentist but he found nothing wrong with my teeth and told me it was a dental sinus and I then spent six hours in A&E with one side of my face so swollen I looked like the elephant man, only to be told the hospital wouldn’t help and to go back to the dentist!

I went home and googled like mad and stopped taking the Codeine and switches to simple ibuprofen and that gave me relief.

I hope yours isn’t dental sinus as the pain becomes unbearable.

Interested in this thread?

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Original poster
TwoThreeFourDive · 10/04/2022 00:32

I’m rotating ibuprofen, codeine and paracetamol.

I tried 111 but there was a massive wait so I called a dentist my friend recommended. I have MASSIVE dentist fear to the point that I changed my route to work to avoid driving past my old dentist as I was so traumatised. Even being on the phone to the receptionist earlier I sobbed my heart out as I’m so nervous.

But I feel like I’m in so much pain I am dying. It is radiating across my face

OP posts:
Woahbodyforrrrm · 10/04/2022 00:32

I'd definitely call 111 as you sound like you need antibiotics sooner rather then later. I recently had pericoronitis and was in agony with it. I was taking prescription co-codamol but my dentist told me to alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen and she was right, it was much better at dealing with the pain. I did go to the Pharmacy and picked up the strongest ibuprofen I could get from over the counter. The on the shelf stuff isn't as strong.

I really feel for you and I hope you can get some relief asap 💐

Mymews · 10/04/2022 00:35

I had something similar about 10 years ago and ended up at A&E where they were able to give me some strong painkillers. Normally, I'd say it goes completely against what A&E is for but it was either that, or throw myself out of the window.

You really do have my sympathy. Dental pain really is the worst. I hope you are able to find some relief.

MasterOfOne · 10/04/2022 00:37

Toothache is the absolute worst.

Can you try 111 again? Are you alternating the co codamol and ibuprofen?

Madre123 · 10/04/2022 00:38

Clove oil on a cotton bud onto the area

MasterOfOne · 10/04/2022 00:39

Clove oil is a natural anaesthetic.... or go to a pharmacy for anaesthetic gel?

Original poster
TwoThreeFourDive · 10/04/2022 00:50

I’ve tried clove oil and the orajel but not even giving me a second of relief 😢. I’ve just gotten off then phone with 111. She’s putting me down for a phone call but said they’re limited to what they can do as doctors won’t touch dental pain 😢😢

OP posts:
Itsnottheendoftheworldisit · 10/04/2022 00:53

Go to A and E this is an infection. They will give you antibiotics till you can get to dentist. If you leave it, it will get worse.

Original poster
TwoThreeFourDive · 10/04/2022 00:57

111 have told me not to go to a&e as they won’t give me anything 😢

OP posts:
WeirdlyKind · 10/04/2022 01:07

Try a cold compress on your face. It'll help to reduce the inflammation and the cold is soothing. If you're using ice, don't put it directly on your skin.

I had a horrible year last year with dental infections so really feel for you!

WeirdlyKind · 10/04/2022 01:09

Is the swelling affecting your eye or mouth? Because if it is, you might need IV antibiotics and A&E is the place to be. Uncontrolled pain can also be a medical emergency so I'd personally not rule A&E out.

CharlotteFlax · 10/04/2022 01:16

I work in A&E and we would definitely see you, possibly get max fax opinion and would be able to prescribe a course of antiBs. It could be a long wait (ours can be six plus hours wait for a doctor currently) but if you're in that much pain you might as well start that wait now.

WildCoasts · 10/04/2022 01:20

I've had that twice. I know how unbearably painful it is and that painkillers just don't help. If it's an abscess, the pain will eventually reduce to just the offending tooth. It sounds like a root canal most likely.

Musicandcheese · 10/04/2022 01:21

You poor thing. Nothing is as bad as toothache. I would go to A & E and wait, hopefully for strong painkillers.

dipdye · 10/04/2022 01:22

I'd get to A and E personally

froi · 10/04/2022 01:57

Most times a&e just give Antibiotics, analgesia and say to see a dentist. Pain relief wise, they might give you naproxen or 30/500 co-codamol if you think either of those would help.

They should follow these guidelines though, so for any of the 'when should I refer or seek specialist advice' listed they should CT scan and/or refer to max fax. (This page might frighten you though, most cases do not progress to this!) cks.nice.org.uk/topics/dental-abscess/management/management/)

froi · 10/04/2022 01:59

That link hasn't worked, google 'nice guidelines dental abscess' if you want to look.

Original poster
TwoThreeFourDive · 10/04/2022 02:40

111 have just called me back, she’s given me a number to ring at 9am. She says they’ll hopefully prescribe me antibiotics and has told me to discontinue with codeine and get co codamol

OP posts:
Original poster
TwoThreeFourDive · 10/04/2022 09:44

The pain has thankfully slightly
Eased but my mouth is so tender and I feel on edge that it’s just going to explode again any second!

Im on hold with the number 111 gave me, 35 minutes so far! Hoping they answer soon

OP posts:
peanutpancakes · 10/04/2022 10:19

You have my sympathy @TwoThreeFourDive I have severe toothache end of last year which resulted in a root canal. I managed to get an appt with my dentist and antibiotics on the first day of pain but they took 3 days for me to feel the effect of them.
I really hope you get sorted soon, toothache is the absolute worst.

WeirdlyKind · 10/04/2022 19:45

Did you try a cold compress? Was honestly the best thing for me last year!

TankFlyBoss · 12/04/2022 09:40

How are you now OP?