In agony with toothache - please advise

[hazelh12]

I've had toothache on and off for about a month now, had an emergency appointment a few weeks ago when the toothache first started, I need a root canal on the tooth but I'm currently pregnant (under 12 weeks) so she cleaned out the tooth and put a temporary dressing on. Was ok for about a few weeks but then whenever that tooth would catch what I was eating it would feel like it's being ripped out and then set off a long bout of toothache, I tried to avoid eating on that side of my mouth. Then since mid week I've been in non stop agony with relentless toothache, managed to get another appointment yesterday and dentist done the same thing, cleaned it out and put a temp dressing/filling on and gave me antibiotics. The second the numbness wore off I haven't had a since minute of relief from constant toothache, I'm just in agony.

Been taking paracetamol every 4 hours which are a waste of time and regular salt water rinses. Nothing helps. I just want it out now. I've been hiding away from DP and DS in the bedroom all day as even talking hurts. Will the antibiotics take the agony away at some point? I can't bare it any longer. I'm going to ring them on Monday and ask them for an emergency appointment to remove it but I don't know how long I'll have to wait and what I can do in the meantime. I feel horribly guilty to my DS as even though he's totally fine with his dad, weekends are the only proper time I get to spend with him and I'm hiding away upstairs.

Can you get hold of clove oil?

As far as I know clove oil isn't recommended in pregnancy unfortunately

Ring 111 and ask for emergency dentist appointment, if you do get an appointment and they agree they can do an extraction.
I had a problem last year and emergency dentist advised if my issue continued to go back through 111 and he could do an extraction

The only thing that worked for me whilst waiting to see dentist was holding a tot of brandy in my mouth for as long as possible

Why can't you have the root canal done while pregnant? Everything I've read says it's safe to have it done and that the anesthetic is fine too. It's the same procedure they've literally just done twice but longer with a lot of filing and a mould being taken to create a crown if required.

Most antibiotics take 2-3 days to kick in, so hopefully you'll get some relief soon, toothache is the pits 😟.
Chemists sell a Lidocaine gel which might give you some temporary relief.
I'd definitely get back onto 111 for some advice, and maybe stronger pain relief. In my experience dentists will want to wait for the ABs to work before they'll extract.

Can you have orajel when pregnant. That would numb it right up

I had root canal done during pregnancy. There was no suggestion that might be problematic.

I doubt if it's currently painful that emergency will give you anything except painkillers and antibiotics is relevant, but it's still worth going to A&E.

Ambesol gel or liquid, if you can take it in pregnancy, it totally numbs the area

I can't remember exactly why the dentist said not to do root canal during pregnancy, possibly something to do with X-rays? Although she said if I do need it removed I would need just one X-ray but it would be minimal risk? I had a root canal finished a little while ago on the tooth above the culprit and it dragged on for so long and I was regularly getting toothache and abbesses in between appointments that I think it'd be easier just to have it pulled out.

I was using orajel but then read conflicting things about whether you should use it in pregnancy or not but it wasn't helping anyway.

That is my concern, that they won't remove until the course of antibiotics is finished so that would likely be Thursday at the earliest before I'd be able to get in and I can't face suffering like this until then.

I thought about ringing 111 but I know a few people rang them needing urgent help and they've been pretty useless.

Sympathy, toothache is awful. Mix a couple of spoonfuls of salt in a glass of warm water and bathe the tooth in it, then spit it out. Continue until the water is gone. Repeat every couple of hours. It should help while you’re waiting for the antibiotics to work. My dentist recommended this, it’s very soothing and it works for me.

Also to answer, the antibiotics I've been given are amoxicillin.

The saltwater rinse did help before the toothache got to this point, before it was more coming in waves but now there is no relief and it's just constant, I'm keep going with the rinses they just don't seem to be doing anything anymore.

Is it a back tooth OP? I'd be tempted to get it pulled, toothache is the worst pain ever. You have my sympathies.

It's at the bottom, 3rd from the back. If it was right at the back I would of just had it removed straight way when the pain started.

I genuinely believe that toothache is worse than labour!

Hot concentrated salt solution. Take a mouthful and energetically pump it round for as long as you can stand it. Spit out . Rinse with clean water repeat after an hour. Horrible but pretty effective

I don't mind the taste of the salt rinse, but absolutely nothing including that is taking the edge off. It feels like my face is going to explode. I have suffered with toothache a lot over the past few years but never have I felt pain as intense as I do right now.

Orajel...

Have you tried holding an ice-pack on your cheek? Was the only thing that gave me relief before a root canal.

Phone 111 explain you are pregnant , have seen a dentist and the pain is unbearable. It is what it is there for. You will lose nothing by phoning.

Can recommend instant relief by dampening a tea bag and putting it against the gum

The natural elements draw out any infection and calm inflammation. Used it when i was pregnant too