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Original poster

Anyone up? Toothache/abscess agony!

58 replies

nubofcheese · 16/03/2023 03:34

I am in so much pain I think I could pass out, I lost a small part of a filling on Monday evening, been in pain ever since.

Tonight has been the worst, my face on that side is double the size, I have just woken up in unbelievable agony, I have taken Cocodamol and ibuprofen.

I don't have a dentist. There is a number you can ring in my area for dental emergencies (from 8am) but it says pain is not an emergency(hence, I haven't phoned yet) however swelling is so I will phone as soon as the lines open.

I haven't seen a dentist for 5 years, the last time I did was a horrible experience but I am trying not to think about it. I am embarrassed at the state of my teeth.

Is there anything I can do now to ease the pain even a little?

OP posts:
Summer2424 · 16/03/2023 04:37

Hi @nubofcheese i'm awake! Oh no, sounds so painful 😕 have you got any cloves at home?

Original poster
nubofcheese · 16/03/2023 04:40

I don't have any cloves @Summer2424 but appreciate your reply, only 3 more hours then hopefully I can speak to someone and maybe get an appointment!

I have got oragel (sp?) but since the pain is right under my eye now it's not really helping!

Thank you for your reply though!

OP posts:
Gingerodgers · 16/03/2023 04:43

You need antibiotics. Pain should ease within 6 or so hours. I get this and it is hellish. I feel your pain

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JarByTheDoor · 16/03/2023 04:43

Maybe a bag of peas wrapped in a tea towel would take the edge off? Though the price of peas… 😅 Might distract you for a few minutes faffing around with cloths and escapeas, at least.

JarByTheDoor · 16/03/2023 04:44

I forgot to mention. Frozen. Room temperature peas probably not that effective.

headstone · 16/03/2023 04:44

Sounds like an infection. Have you got any mouthwash to gargle with? You could also try putting toothpaste directly into filling. It might take the edge off the pain. When I had something similar I was give metronidazole antibiotics.

Original poster
nubofcheese · 16/03/2023 04:49

Thank you all!

I don't have frozen peas, but I have got tinned 😂😂 I will raid the freezer now!

I am hoping I can get an emergency appointment somewhere today; and hopefully some antibiotics. I would do anything/pay anything to stop the pain, I actually got the longest amount of sleep today (around 4 hours) but woke up feeling horrendous.

I have been gargling salt water, haven't eaten anything since Monday and have been taking lots of painkillers so my stomach feels awful.

OP posts:
Summer2424 · 16/03/2023 04:52

@nubofcheese hope the time goes by quickly, think that this time tomorrow you'll be in no pain x

JarByTheDoor · 16/03/2023 05:08

I mean, if you hit the tinned peas against your head hard enough, you won't feel your dental pain any more, but then you might not feel anything ever again… Grin

Thinking about it, with my freezer contents right now it would probably have to be a potato waffle-pack.

Good luck with the appointment call — I hope they can fit you in soon.

MissMissive · 16/03/2023 05:13

It’s not just pain though (not minimising the absolute agony of an abscess though), the swelling is a symptom and I’d say an urgent one. I would try to see if there’s a dental department in a hospital with the swelling also occurring, don’t leave it.

MissMissive · 16/03/2023 05:14

111 may be able to advise, given the swelling.

Almahart · 16/03/2023 05:18

You poor thing, dental pain is the worst, it's the fact that it's in your head. You will feel better very quickly with antibiotics. Have you got some crap tv on?

Doyouthinktheyknow · 16/03/2023 05:27

Dental pain is horrific and I’ve had an abscess, was horrendous😢 It was many years ago now but the pain was unforgettable.

Oragel is really good if you can get some this morning. Ice or heat pack, see which one works best for you.

You can also get ibuprofen and Codeine but only if you are taking OTC strength cocodamol. Don’t use it if you are taking prescription strength codeine.

Most important is to get on to the emergency dentist at 8am. This is an emergency. Hope it eases soon.

Northernsouloldies · 16/03/2023 05:49

Emergency dentist n antibiotics op, then hopefully you will get blessed relief and some well earned sleep. Bloody abscess is a pain like no other. Good luck in getting sorted.

SinnerBoy · 16/03/2023 05:57

Tonight has been the worst, my face on that side is double the size...

I have got oragel (sp?) but since the pain is right under my eye now it's not really helping!

You have a serious infection, which needs immediate treatment with antibiotics. Go to casualty, they can give you some.

The swelling is an alarming symptom, especially as it's near your eye, which could become infected, which can lead to loss of sight. I had this about 18 months ago, on an upper incisor.

I appreciate that you haven't got a dentist, but that's what mine told me, along with, "For god's sake, why didn't you come two days ago."

Original poster
nubofcheese · 16/03/2023 06:05

Thanks everyone, I've had an ice pack on it which has eased it slightly, still in serious pain though.

I appreciate everyone's advice, I am waiting until 6.30 to attempt to call in sick to work, not sure I can speak very well!

I am in Greater Manchester and the advice is to phone the emergency dental number and an appointment will be arranged, it literally says on the website if it's out of hours (8am-10pm) to just wait until the next day and not got to A&E or your GP, that's why I have left it all night, I think the appointment will likely be made for the dental hospital but, since covid, you cannot just turn up and must wait until phone lines open.

OP posts:
SinnerBoy · 16/03/2023 06:10

Well, best of luck with it. If you can't get a dentist's appointment, fuck 'em and go to A&E. It's not ideal, but you could end up with more than losing a tooth. They told me that sepsis can also result from untreated abscesses.

Original poster
nubofcheese · 16/03/2023 06:13

Thank you @SinnerBoy I hope that didn't come across as rude, I've spent the whole night googling what to do, read reviews of people who did turn up in A&E and were told to wait and phone the number, also DH is working away - thankfully my MIL is coming to collect DC at 8am as I was supposed to be working and both of mine are off due to strikes - so I couldn't really take them both to A&E with me before that time anyway.

OP posts:
JarByTheDoor · 16/03/2023 06:14

Dental emergencies like to pick their moments 😒

SinnerBoy · 16/03/2023 06:30

nubofcheese · Today 06:13

Thank you SinnerBoy I hope that didn't come across as rude, I've spent the whole night googling what to do, read reviews of people who did turn up in A&E and were told to wait and phone the number...

Not in the slightest! I'm just concerned for you and everyone else affected by the lack of access to dentists. And being in 100% sympathy, knowing exactly what you're going through right now.

Please, don't be fobbed off, if you can't see a dentist. If you have to go to A&E, they will see that you have a horrible infection and be obliged to give you at least antibiotics. They may also be able to help with a referral.

Original poster
nubofcheese · 16/03/2023 08:32

Just an update, I rang the emergency number and the lovely woman who triaged me managed to get me an appointment 5 minutes away at 12 today!

Thanks to everyone who commented and helped x

OP posts:
JarByTheDoor · 16/03/2023 08:47

Hoofuckingray — very pleased to hear you'll soon be getting this sorted, and glad it's so close. Would be horrible travelling any significant distance with a pain-balloon for a face.

Summer2424 · 16/03/2023 08:49

@nubofcheese yay! That's great!

StewPots · 16/03/2023 08:53

You have my sympathy OP I’m going through the same thing right now. But I’ll have to wait till next week to sort it as I don’t have access to a dentist nor do I have money to pay for it at the emergency dentist until payday 🙄😩

I hope they get you sorted and you feel better soon - dental pain is the worst and I say that as someone who has a chronic pain disorder!

SinnerBoy · 16/03/2023 09:03

nubofcheese · Today 08:32

Just an update, I rang the emergency number and the lovely woman who triaged me managed to get me an appointment 5 minutes away at 12 today!

Oh, that's marvellous news! Keep us informed, even if you're in a fug of powerful painkillers!