Help. Can't cope with "toothache"

[HydrangeaBush]

I've got "toothache" that's been getting steadily worse. It woke me up last night and I took paracetamol and ibuprofen

Today it's got worse. I've stayed drugged up. At lunchtime I saw a dentist who said it's not a dental infection (to my surprise) and did an x ray of the area. However at that time the ibuprofen was working.

I can't take any more paracetamol as I'm probably slightly over what I shod take in 24 hours. I took ibuprofen an hour ago.

I'm in tears as the pain just won't stop.

What on earth can I do? What is it? NHS direct/111 when I go through it online just says to see a dentist... Which I have.

Really sorry to read other people's stories of pain too. It's horrible isn't it.

I do hope things improve for you.

If not, another thing I suggest you ask the dentist about is bruxism (basically teeth clenching & grinding).

Years ago I had dreadful throbbing pain radiating up one side of my face. It just came on suddenly. Painkillers didn't work (and I also went way over the daily OTC dosage). Dentist x-rayed and tapped teeth and said it wasn't an infection but there were signs of severe teeth clenching. She recommended a mouth guard for wearing at night. 2 days after using it the pain was completely gone.

I'm now on my 4th version as they do wear out (or need new one after major dental work like crowns and fillings) and I no longer get that pain. If I don't use it for more than one night (I left if behind at a friends once and she had to post it to me) the pain returns.

I sympathise with you, get some ibuprofen and codeine , over the counter at the chemist . I had excruciating toothache for 2 weeks . These are the only painkillers that helped me sleep and relieve the pain. I had a wisdom tooth extracted due to it cracking in half . The pain was horrific

Appointment but nurse practicioner today. They said she could prescribe stronger painkillers.

It hurts so much and I want to know what's wrong. I can't think straight.

So got stronger painkillers but not antibiotics as as someone said they don't touch dental

So need to ring the hospital tomorrow. She suggested I should have gone to A and E last night when I was crying in pain as I'd have seen a max fax person this morning. Oops.

I've got drugs for 3 days if I take max dose. I'm in less pain now. :)

Hi op I’ve had an up and down day with mine. I desperately need to find a dentist who is taking on NHS patients though as I’m not working and am home schooling my teen dd who is autistic and has major anxiety and agoraphobia.

what tablets have you got?

i take dihydrocodeine anyway for my chronic pain which are brilliant but these last few days have hardly touched the pain.

Here’s to a better night!

Trigeminal neuralgia can be confused with dental pain (mine was, to the extent I had teeth re-filled and one removed) BUT one of the diagnostic questions is whether normal NSAIDs like ibuprofen/co codamol/paracetamol work on the pain at all. If they do, it's not TN as they don't help dull nerve pain. I've taken co codamol and been in agony with it. And even had a dental nerve injection and had a numb face and STILL been in agony at the same time.

The pain from TN can come and go though. Mine did, either because it was triggered when I ate or drank or when cold air or water from brushing my teeth hit the tooth.

My daughter works as a dental nurse and says a lot of people who have what they think is toothache find it's sinus related when they find that there's no clear dental reason obvious on xrays etc.

My step mum had trigen... But hers came in stabby moments I think rather than constant throbbing - more when it was "set off" but I remember her saying it was excruciating and having an operation to stop it which worked. I'm really sorry you've got it and I really hope this isn't it 😬.

Interesting about sinus related as the dentist said it could be but the NP today said I had no signs of sinus. Issues at all (no congestion or Cold symtoms) so didn't want to prescribe anti Bs but wanted me to go to the hospital.

I have a lot of mechano in my jaw but it's been there for 20yeara or so...

I suffer from sinus infections regularly and as painful as they are it was absolutely nowhere near the level of pain I had when I got a tooth abscess. If it's sinus related I find using a hot compress relives it a bit, I use a towel and boiling hot water (make sure it's cooled down enough to put on your face). If it's something like an abscess as soon as it comes out I found the pain subsided, my dentist said they are more painful when they are developing. I took paracetamol and ibuprofen to take the edge off but whatever it is you have my sympathy because dental pain is the worst.

Garlic clove and sensidine repair and protect toothpaste rubbed on the tooth. Could be bruxism if you are stressed and clenching

You can buy amoxicillin online. It will only be prescribed after you've completed a review. I've done it once when desperate with an infected tooth where I couldn't get an appointment. https://www.theonlineclinic.co.uk/buy-amoxicillin.asp

You should try a&e if the pain isn't getting any better.

Don't say dental pain, say your face hurts and it's unbearable.

I once went to A&E with infected wisdom tooth pain- so I get how bad it can be. I'm not a doctor-botherer, haven't been to a GP in 10 years, I just couldn't function with pain that was making me think being shot in the jaw would be preferable. I told them it was ear ache because I knew they wouldn't be interested in a tooth. They gave me antibiotics.

Have you tried the hot salt wash thing in case it is an infection? Make a really strong salt solution as hot as you can bear to put in your mouth. Rinse it round for 5 minutes and repeat every 20 minutes for a few hours. My wisdom tooth has had another couple of incidents since and I've always managed to ward it off with the salt.

I've been using a medicated mouthwash and actively brushing itaround the implant.

I could try hot salt water.

I'm not feeling so bad this minute but that could be drugs. When last ones wore off I was in tears. I got the paracetamol really wrong last night not just the dose I thought was pushing it so had to wait ages on ibuprofen before I saw the nurse. But 111 this morning didn't send me to hospital (as I unwittingly seemed to be copying pp dxperience) as my large weight counteracted it (!!). I wish I'd gone now.

In a bit worried some of my mechano is loving.

But maybe it is a weird sinus infection.

I've got a autism/adhd assessment in Jan and I think I'm doubly not good with not knowing what it is.

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon OP, toothache is brutal.

I know when I had bad toothache I really struggled to find the cause too. Had antibiotics, many many painkillers, x rays at dentist and hospital.
What actually worked was having a deep clean! Turns out I have big gaps between my teeth (menopause **ed up my teeth) and had debris trapped under my gums.
Now I am practically obsessive about using multiple brushes, interdental brushes and floss.

So if you haven't had a deep clean recently I might consider asking for one.

My sinuses are really close to the roots of my teeth, as soon as I get any sinus issues I get toothache and it's unmanageable.

Have you tried Orajel? It is magic, I use it far too often but it actually works. You can buy from a pharmacy.

I take too much cocodamol, I know it's bad but what else can I do? The doc did give me Tramadol once which worked really well. I once begged the dentist to pull my tooth out even though she said it wasn't the issue. She did and I did not regret it but obviously that is extreme.

Get orajel and keep on with the pain killers.

infection doesn’t always show up on dental xrays. I would get a second opinion. You can get antibiotics for dental infections next day delivery on some websites. I highly recommend holding ice on your face and using clove oil for pain.

I'm really not sure about ordering antibiotics at the moment. Its much less painful with the drugs. I think I need the max fax people to look at it in case it's in my jaw. I left a message with the secrateries but maybe it was wrong people.

Now I'm wondering if she misses it 😬

If its an infection I'll get more ill won't I?

That's nonsense. If they're the head dentist they're probably very experienced. In my practice I ask for advice from them because they've been practising longest. A dentist doesn't come to lead a practice if they're incompetent.

No it isn't. I give it about 1% of the time. It's usually Amoxicillin.

Thanks I honestly thought my implant was infected and so stressed I don't know what's causing the pain. But she's likely to know if it was isn't she?

I know antibiotic resistance is a big issue but I would honestly order some and give it a try. If it's an infection it'll help pretty quickly, if not you've ruled it out.

Also don't be afraid to seek more help. You only think it's a dental issue when in reality it could be something else. Severe, untreatable pain is an emergency in itself and you can't just keep taking max dose otc painkillers for days and days in the hope it'll get better. I'd genuinely advise you to ring 111 again at least - do not mention anything dental, tell them that you're having severe facial pain and can't get relief from it at home.

I suffer horrendously with toothache caused by sinus pain every winter. It’s the most painful thing but my dentist gives me antibiotics for it and it clears up the pain straight away.

See your GP or go to the pharmacy.