Tooth infection, hot or cold compress?

[Illbefinejustbloodyfine]

Managed to see a dentist today, infection in root of broken tooth. Antibiotics and go back next week for extraction. I'm in agony tonight, taken paracetamol, nurrofdn, orajel. Still in severe pain.should I use hot or cold on my jaw to help soothe?

Get some stronger painkillers if
you can

I had something similar recently, you have my sympathies, it really is agony. I alternated codeine with ibuprofen and paracetamol which took the edge of it. Hope you get sorted very soon.

I can't get stronger meds just now. Dc in bed, live in the middle of nowhere. It's been slightly painful all evening then all of a sudden excruciating.

Don’t use a hot compress. My mum did that and she ended up with a worse infection. I’d ring 111 and see if you can some stronger pain meds.

Sorry just seen your update. Have you got anyone who could sit with your kids or fetch a prescription for you? I’d still call 111 and see what they advise.

Oh you poor thing. When I had my wisdom tooth out, the dentist told me to put ice on it but that was maybe for the swelling rather than the pain. Might be worth a try to see if it helps?

Not hot! I put hot on what I didn't realise was a tooth infection once and the heat seemed to help the bacteria along and by the morning my cheek was so swollen I looked like a chipmunk on one side

I'm not sure cold would make you feel better either

Co codamol is what you need ideally, do you have any migraleve in?

Or clove oil?

On the plus side antibiotics tend to kick in pretty quickly so once you get through tonight hopefully it will ease soon

Also do you have any neighbours numbers? I know you said you are in the middle of nowhere but I would pop up to a neighbours house with co codamol if needed

Rinse your mouth with some alcohol, vodka or similar. You dont have to swallow it if you need to be sober.

Cold not hot
Salt water/saline rinses

Saine rinses (don't swallow) are the most helpful.

I've done the salt water. I have a cold pack, it's eased, a bit. I'll be going out 1st thing to get better pain relief.

Cocodamol x2 (500mg/8mg) 4 x day alternate with big dose of ibuprofen. You can take 600mg 4x day or 800mg 3 x day.
Taking a larger dose of ibuprofen keeps it above therapeutic level for longer. Alternating means you can take painkillers every 3 hours.
Don’t take the high dose of ibuprofen for more than 24-48hrs but the antibiotics should kick within that time.
Cold compress is good, clove oil may ulcerate the gum and ultimately cause more pain.

Oh, OP, you have my utmost sympathy.

When did you start with the antibiotics?

I always take a double dose to start with,

@Angrymum22 I have the nurofen express which are 200mg (ibuprofen) supposed to be 1 or 2, 3 times a day. I have taken 4 x 2 today. Are you saying I can take significantly mire than that? I know I have to be careful with paracetamol. But you say 600mg 4 x a day or 800mg 3 x, and I've taken 400mg 4 x today.

@CantFindTheBeat I took the 1st dose 4.30pm. Supposed to be 3 x a day. 2nd dose 9.30pm and have set alarm to take in the night

Pain has eased considerably thankfully. I'm going to get stronger pain killers today in case it flares up again before I can have it removed.

Facecloth with ice cubes along the jaw helped me as it numbed the whole area

My sympathies though. Toothache is the worst pain in the world

Nurofen Plus over the counter and cold compress. I used it with a broken coccyx and infected wisdom tooth removal (thankfully not at the same time!)