to have considered pulling my own tooth?

[hereforit]

Got severe toothache. Can't get to a dentist. Can't take decent painkillers as am breastfeeding. Called 111 6 times since the 16th, no dentists available. Phoned every dentist in my city. I can't look after my son properly. I'm a lone parent who just left an abusive relationship. I'm anxious and depressed and can't cope anymore with this pain. I need help. I even thought about just pulling my tooth out (worked out it's pretty much impossible as it's at the back) but that's how awful the pain is. I don't know what to do. If you had this much pain anywhere else in your body you would be in a&e. I feel like smashing my face against a wall just to distract from the tooth pain.

WWYD if you were me?

I’d go to A@E. They can give you antibiotics if there’s an infection which sounds pretty likely

That's good your Mum can help out. Hope it gets sorted soon. Toothache is horrible

My dentist would see you as an emergency. They open up 30 minutes before their official opening to treat emergency patients. My former dentist did the same, AND we have an emergency dentist at the hospital.

I can't fathom how you can't find one dentist that will see you as a priority.

Toothache is the worst thing in the world. so I feel your pain.

There is always an emergency dentist somewhere ring 111 and insist they find you one

OP you sound like a strong but proud woman. For the love of god take the money from your mum, and any other help she (or other family members) will give you!
If I were closer by I’d come round and help. Hope you’re managing with the baby through all of this

Just spoken to 111, again. For a number to call for someone at 9. Failing that I'm going to go to a&e as I've now developed tinnitus and can't hear properly out of my right ear.

Toothache is hands down worse than Labour.

At least in labour you get a break after most contractions and when they become continuous you know you are getting something wonderful at the end of it. this pain is just vile. I've been in tears all morning.

I really feel for you OP it's utterly miserable. If you're anywhere near Peterborough there is a dental access centre who will see people for emergencies, or who can't get in with dentists etc, I used them last year and they are angels. Not expensive either, had an extraction with them last year only cost about £28

OP, insist on seeing a dentist today. If NHS 111 don’t refer you go to A & E as it is acceptable to do so when in unbearable pain.

I can imagine not being able to find a dentist.

I'm a dental nurse and we would always squeeze anyone in pain into the diary if there is nothing else, or if they cant get to an access centre. Our access centres always see someone within 24hours.

If you're in as much pain as you say you are someone, somewhere will fit you in.

I work in private dental care and our appointments are booked so we have plenty of time, sometimes we have time remaining at the end of an appointment. Do we often ask emergency to come and sit and wait in the waiting room until we have a gap between patients to see them. We almost never turn someone in pain away.

Go to a surgery, ask to be seen as an emergency, explain your situation and say you'll be more than happy to wait until they have a gap between patients.

I think I might have to. Even just for some decent pain relief.

7 calls to 111 and calls to 58 different dental surgeries. Can't say I haven't tried

Try either a whole clove on the gum or clove oil. Really effective to numb the pain - had a tooth abscess and it really works!

Where abouts east are you OP?

Also if your in severe pain you can go to a&e, they wont do nothing, bu they're not dentists.

If the dental hospital is booked up, just go to a&e. They can at least prescribe antibiotics.

OP, when you call 111, what are they suggesting you do?

Are there any dentists in the East of England that can see OP today?

Do any local hospitals have walk-in emergency dental clinics? My local hospital does, but it isn't widely advertised.

Can you travel to a hospital like this in London or another city?

Can you visit any relatives/ close friends overnight who have a dentist with good availability nearby and book an appointment there?

I've got an appointment at 10. I phoned the local place that I've not been able to get through to at 5am and left them a tearful voicemail. She phoned me back this morning and told me she could tell how distressed I was over the voicemail and told me to come in straight away. Why I didn't think of that before rather than waiting in a call queue every day I don't know. The relief in knowing I've got an appointment is unreal!

If anyone wants to take any guesses re what's wrong with this damn tooth go ahead!

I hope they get you sorted hereforit, toothache really is the worst pain.

Tooth ache is the worrrrrrst hope you get it sorted soon.

I bet it's an abcess and needs to be pulled. I'm so glad you got your appointment.

They've done x-rays . Said the tooth is healthy! But that I might have an infection. Sent home with a script for amoxicillin- god I hope I works! I feel like something should've shown up on the x-ray.

That must be such a relief for you. Hope the antibiotics kick in very soon.

7 calls to 111 and calls to 58 different dental surgeries. Can't say I haven't tried
That’s just crazy isn’t it.

I'm almost pain free! My tooth is still very painful when I eat but when I'm just sitting with my mouth open, no pain at all. Bloody hell that worked fast. Definitely had an infection then! Even worse that I couldnt get an appointment for 2 weeks 😬