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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

In A&E with toothache

321 replies

Kakamora · 02/09/2018 21:03

Have just arrived at a&e. Approached the desk and said I don’t know if I can be seen, I don’t expect anything in terms of work but help with pain relief.

IVe had a severe tooth ache for 3 days. Gone through 4 packets of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Not ate. Not slept. Been sick from the pain, shaking and sweating it’s been that bad. Sobbed last night it was so bad.

The man and the front desk really snottily asked me ‘have you been to a emergency reception before ?’ Made me feel like shit. I know it’s not a typical reason to come to a&e but I don’t have a dentist and I’m in agony. I’m in no less pain than people with medical reasons. I feel even worse now

OP posts:
HoleyCoMoley · 02/09/2018 21:20

It's awful having toothache and I'm shocked they won't see you, did you at least see a triage nurse. They should give you the number of the local on call emergency dentist.

SamanthaH92 · 02/09/2018 21:20

I've been before with a tooth problem. I had am abcess and also was pregnant. Couldn't eat or sleep either. Was crying all the time the pain was that bad and my face had swollen. They gave me strong pain killers and were not bothered i had been in for that. I had already rang round all dentists in my area and couldn't get in anywhere x

chickhonhoneybabe · 02/09/2018 21:20

Ring 111 for an emergency dentist appointment.

There’s also temporary filling kits that can be bought from a chemist

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/dental-health/how-can-i-access-an-nhs-dentist-in-an-emergency-or-out-of-hours/#when-to-go-to-hospital

Wellfuckmeinbothears · 02/09/2018 21:22

You can get it over the counter, is there a pharmacy near you that’s open? In a tesco or a Sainsbury’s or Asda etc? I do really feel for you, tootheache is so horrid. You can’t eat or sleep. Try and get some co-codamol with paracetamol and take it with ibuprofen (which will help with any swelling) and hopefully you’ll be able to get a few hours rest then call a dentist first thing. Loads of fluids, luke warm water will be less painful than cold.

I honestly do really feel for you! Cake

CherryPavlova · 02/09/2018 21:22

Sorry you have neither an accident nor an emergency. You’ve had severe pain for three days so should have seen a dentist on Friday.

Pinkgeorge · 02/09/2018 21:23

Toothache is horrendous, really feel for you

ProfessorMoody · 02/09/2018 21:24

You went to Accident and Emergency for tooth ache?

YABU and I really hope that you didn't take up precious time that was needed to treat someone in an actual emergency.

Call your dentist - there will usually be a number for the emergency dentist on their answerphone.

Cocodamol is available from any pharmacy. Oil of cloves, etc etc.

PlugUgly1980 · 02/09/2018 21:24

Rubbish. I was seen in A&E 3 weeks ago with severe dental pain. I'd already seen Dentist and out of hours Dr. The pain was like nothing I've ever experienced before. I was given tramadol and morphine and neither touched it.

The same condition has flared up again today. 111 referred me to emergency Dentist. They called me back, simply no appointments available in the county or neighbouring county. They recommended Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. I cried.

Unbearable pain and swelling 111 then referred me to our local urgent care. There the Dr sent me straight to our nearest large hospital to see a oral/facial Dr. They offered pain relief (I've still got morphine and co-codomal) so not required, antibiotics and attempted to provide some relief by draining under a tooth.

I completely understand how you feel though, when my infection first started I was so frustrated that everyone I saw thought it was 'just a toothache'. Thankfully the wonderful triage nurse in A&E took one look at me and realised it was more serious.

Rachie1973 · 02/09/2018 21:24

If you phone 111 to get an appointment tomorrow ask them to issue you a prescription to an allocated pharmacy. We picked up HUGE co-codamol which kill most pain like that.

Unless you're in South Essex in which case I can give you a couple lol

Wellfuckmeinbothears · 02/09/2018 21:26

If you’re anywhere near Tring in Hertfordshire I’ll bring you coedine, ibuprofen and cloves Flowers

Dollymixture22 · 02/09/2018 21:27

Out of hours GP. Should be able to give you a perscription

DailyMailFail101 · 02/09/2018 21:28

Yes of course A&E won’t see you! ring 111 for an emergency dentist appointment tonight.

NotAnotherHeffalump · 02/09/2018 21:29

Ring any dentist (you said you don't have one) or the nearest school of dentistry (a hospital that's teaching dentistry), one of them should be able to direct you to an emergency dentist if it isn't the SOD itself.

zenasfuck · 02/09/2018 21:30

Op where are you ? I have strong painkillers you can have and you can get to a dentist tomorrow

RLOU30 · 02/09/2018 21:31

I have bundles of coedine from the docs. Happy to help if you are near Southend at all x

TatianaLarina · 02/09/2018 21:31

You can ring nun local NHS dentist and sign on with them.

Wellfuckmeinbothears · 02/09/2018 21:31

Cherrypavlova and professor (really?! You’d think a professor would be intelligent or at the very least empathetic, given that they teach?!(yes, I’m aware it’s a username, I just think it’s a very poorly chosen one)) I sincerely hope you never experience pain that the poor op is going through. Being able to eat and sleep are two basic human rights. Pain so bad you are unable to do either is an emergency.

ReggieKrayDoYouKnowMyName · 02/09/2018 21:31

I had a tooth abscess when I was pregnant with my first baby and the pain was outrageous. Worse than child birth by miles. I was given strong painkillers in A and E so that’s nonsense that they can’t give you anything.

TatianaLarina · 02/09/2018 21:32

not nun ^^

Fightthebear · 02/09/2018 21:33

Orajel is good is you have something like a broken tooth/lost filling. No good if the problem is an infection though.

TomHardysNextWife · 02/09/2018 21:34

There is a big sign in our GP surgery on the doors now saying they won't treat dental pain!! Our dentist is very good at seeing you same day for emergencies...... ring yours at 9am or see if you can email tonight/leave a phone message.

shakeyourcaboose · 02/09/2018 21:34

Could you get to a late night pharmacy and ask for anbusol? Is liquid lidocaine for dental pain- best thing ever.

senmumoftom · 02/09/2018 21:35

I had dry socket, the only thing that touched it was Zapain. My doctor prescribed it and got me an apptment at the hospital . Get an emergency appment at your doctors tomorrow and ask for it. It will help but you need dental care.

KingIrving · 02/09/2018 21:35

Give the OP a break. She is in agonising pain and has gone to the only place that can give her pain relief stronger than the ones she has access to.
NOT AIBU at all.

PlugUgly1980 · 02/09/2018 21:35

All the posters saying 111 will sort you an emergency dental appointment - I tried that today, twice and was told that they had none at all available anywhere in our county (large northern county) or our neighbouring one. All I could do was ring them tomorrow - which I don't need to do as my own Dentist will be back open. Whilst the principle is correct, the reality maybe that there just isn't a Dentist available.