Major teeth pain (sensitivity)

[Namechanger55555]

I'm so sorry to abuse AIBU like this...
But AIBU to ask if there is anything I can do to help my incredibly sensitive (painful) teeth.

It's vain and self inflicted. I am doing teeth whitening trays at night. And today I have had verging on excruciating teeth pain. They are constantly 'zinging' with electrifying pains.

I have taken 3 paracetamol, one co-codamol, two dihydrocodeine (found in the cupboard), two ibuprofen. Yet it's not touched the pain. I'm sat on the sofa, hands screwed in a ball, toes curled type pain.

Phoned the dentist twice and they only offer for me to come in tomorrow.

I acknowledge it is self inflicted and feel terrible to complain as I know there are so many others out there with more serious pain.

But does anyone have any suggestions on pain relief? Any dentists or dental nurses with any tips? Should my dentist be able to help me? Or should I just ride out the pain and discontinue the whitening trays?

Owee, not much worse than toothache.

Firstly I'd stop the teeth whitening obviously.

Secondly I'd try Sensodyn toothpaste - there's a "strong" one which actually does numb the teeth somehow. It's called "Rapid Relief".

Also try Oragel - it feels like you've had an injection (in a good way) although it doesn't last very long. I also think there is a specific tooth version of Nurofen.

Finally, do be careful what you take, that sounds like quite a cocktail of drugs there!

Does the dentist know you've been using whitening? I'd phone 111 and see an emergency dentist.

I had to have a lot of work done on my teeth last year and this is the only thing that helped. I use it daily www.colgate.com/en-sa/products/cspr

Also stop the teeth whitening obviously.

Did the whitening treatment come from the dentist? You don’t have to do consecutive nights so stop now and give your teeth time to reduce in sensitivity. I didn’t find painkillers really helped, the most soothing thing was warm drinks and keeping a scarf around my lower half of my face! Neither worked brilliantly though, just had to ride it out.

Wow thank you for the suggestions.

Yes absolutely no more teeth whitening, at least for a few days.

It was prescribed by my dentist (it's called enlighten). I have naturally sensitive teeth anyway so I expected some pain. But this was way more than I was lead to believe.

I'm off to buy Oragel, Sensodyn Rapid relief and neurogen. Thanks for your knowledgeable suggestions @dontcallmecharlotte I really appreciate it.

I did phone the dentist but they can't see me until tomorrow. Im not sure if there's much they can do anyway?

I hope you didn't take all those painkillers at once OP.

The sensodyne people do a sensitive mouthwash ( needs to be alcohol free and with fluoride)
Spit but don’t rinse out toothpaste
And stop the whitening for a bit

Be careful what your eating fizzy fruity and acidy stuff will make it hurt

Ohhh that rapid relief sensodyne was a godsend when I had my braces on!! It's really good stuff.

Don't whiten your teeth anymore, they're zapping because it will silly amounts of peroxide in and it's getting through the pours in your enamel into your dentin.

I get those horrible zaps now again due to previously wearing braces and I have TMJ also. I use a prescription Colgate tooth paste now which is meant to be better than the sensodyne, I don't know if you'd be able to get that but sensodyne rapid relief will really help you.

Also, rather than brushing the sensodyne on, coat your teeth in it and just let it sit for a few mins. Gives it chance to fill in the porousness x

that oragel! It works! It feels like I've just had a dental block! My lips feel all numb like I've had an injection.
A million thank yous to the poster to suggested it.

Hygienist here. When you start whitening again fill your trays with your desensitising tooth paste and wear for 10 mins before applying the bleach. Dry the teeth well before applying the trays also helps the teeth take up the desensitising agents in the paste.
Ask your dentist for Duraphat tooth paste if the off the shelf ones are not working .
Obviously rinse your trays before applying the whitening agent. Avoid acidic food and drinks. Good luck.

Thank you whatjusthappenedthere

I will try that and ask about Duraphat. My dentist did give me a 'tooth serum' but it wasn't called Duraphat.

FGS stop whitening your teeth, they are literally telling you to stop and not just 'for a few days'. Carry on with painkillers, I haven't done that to myself before but have had excruciating pain from an abscess and cracked tooth - Clove Oil worked very well. It's about £2.50 from Boots or Tesco.

Well the second time I phoned. The dentist's receptionist told me to stop using the trays for a few days, then continue as normal. I paid a lot of money to do it in the safest way possible.

I was told Enlighten doesn't damage your teeth and causes no sensitivity.

I will try Clove Oil too. Thank you

Whisky also helps. If it doesn't deaden the pain you can always drink yourself into oblivion 😁

The dental receptionist is right. Just stop whitening for a few days to give your teeth a chance to become less sensitive again. It’s fine to start again but they will most likely become sensitive whilst you are going through the whitening phase. You won’t be damaging your teeth if you stick to your dentists guide lines. It’s a bit like hair to be honest; Fine to bleach and colour, not fine to over do it. I whiten for a week about once a year. Sensitivity goes a few days after I stop, the pain is not an indication you are damaging your teeth.
I noticed you used the term “zinger”. (Or a variation of it. ) This is a commonly used term when describing the type of sensitivity people often experience when whitening so it probably was mentioned at some point but if you follow the instructions the sensitivity will revert to what was your normal level once you have finished your whitening phase. You have chosen the most effective and safest method of whitening, sadly as with so many other things in life, no pain no gain. Hope it goes well from now on OP.