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?

Wow well done OP!!!! I’m so pleased for you!!!!!

Phew, I’m pleased it’s clearing up. Toothache (toothagony surely? ) is the WORST thing.

PLeased for you OP. I know the relief well!!

Glad the pain has died down a bit OP.

I'm so confused. Why has this been reported?

Because there are enough cretins in this country who believe all the mantras about "The NHS is the envy of the world" and can't cope with the idea that it's a lumbering, creaking mess, which (despite having been going for 75 years) no country in the world has copied, and which at its worst drives people to think about pulling their own teeth out with a door and string.

Anyone pointing out the reality must be reported and censored (and also, accused of "attacking our hard-working doctors and nurses" when it's the model that doesn't work, not the staff)

No it was because people were worried it was going to turn into a thread begging for money.

It's still very tender but not painful when I'm not touching it. Over the course of today I have developed a large lump under my tooth on my gum. Please don't say that means I need to to back to the dentist 😭

(I really don't want your money 😅) - just to clarify again, I haven't asked anyone for money. The idea of doing that makes me cringe!

A&E can’t do anything at all about dental problems so don’t waste your time with that.

You need to register with a dentist and stay signed up, go for your check ups, etc. Could you afford to see a private dentist on this occasion just to get it sorted?

Alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen. Don’t just take them all in one go. Take paracetamol then 2-3 hours later have your ibuprofen, 2-3 hours after that, it’s back to the paracetamol, etc. No more than four doses of paracetamol and three of ibuprofen in 24 hours. Set alarms on your phone to make sure you don’t miss them, or take too many.

I'm so relieved for you that the pain has lessened, honestly it's the most unbearable pain ever when it's bad.

The lump sounds like an abscess? Maybe the antibiotics will get rid of it but unsure what the long term plan is?

Queen, I managed to get to the dentist yesterday and they prescribed amoxicillin. But thank you anyway for the advice :) I am on a waiting list to register with my local dentist. It should open up around October time. There are very few non private that are taking on patients around here. The nearest one to me is 30 miles away. I do live quite rurally but there are many dentists within that radius and non are taking on patients!

@Jemima232 Having worked in the 111 service as a clinician for 2 years in the not so distant past, I can confidently say that there is NOT always an emergency dentist available. There might be a few slots on a Saturday morning, and some places run an evening service a few nights a week, but it doesn’t even come close to the provision that we’ve come to expect for all other health care.

There is no obligation for any dental service to provide dental services to anyone, peoples teeth are their own responsibility, getting signed up to a good dentist, and having your check ups, etc to stay on the books is extremely important so that you have emergency access when it’s needed. Dentists don’t owe anyone an emergency service, it’s just not how it works.

OP, I’m glad you’re sorted. Dental pain is like nothing else in its ability to wear you down to a place of abject misery.

When you’re in a better place it might be worth looking into a private dentist. I pay £10 a month for mine and that includes two check ups and two hygienist appointments twice a year. Emergency dental costs are refunded no matter where in the world you incur them, and I can’t fault them for getting me when quickly when I’ve had a problem.

So what did the dentist think was wrong? If you were in severe pain and the dental xray showed nothing, could it be a wisdom tooth? As a PP said, at least now you have hhad a nudge to sign up. I know it's a way away, but it must be preferable to suffering tooth pain and eventually losing your teeth.

She said that there might be an infection. Which there clearly was. It's weird. The pain has eased up but now I've got this big lump in my mouth. It's not even along my gum line but more when I push down running alongside my jaw bone. No idea what it is. She didn't say I needed to go back to th dentist soon, or if antibiotics should clear the infection completely. Hmm

You might need to go back, either for more ABs or to check that the tooth hasn't loosened, once the infection has gone. Good luck with it all.

So glad the pain has eased. Swill lukewarm salted water around the area every few hours.

I would also say the lump is likely to be an abscess - have you tried using corsodyl mouthwash (the strong version not the daily) and if you can bear it use interdental sticks/brushes to clean between the teeth up against the gum line. If it doesn't go away further along the course of antibiotics may be worth going back to get it checked. I know exactly how you feel, it is absolutely horrific, relentless pain but amazing how quick it goes.