To SMASH my own tooth out my own mouth

[PottedPlant234]

Not literally obviously! Very dramatic title but it’s metaphorically exactly how I feel right now. Sorry for the long post but I’m so desperate for help or advice here

I’ve got toothache and it’s getting worse and ruining my life. We initially thought it was a sinus infection but I’m certain it’s the tooth now. 2 courses of antibiotics haven’t helped it at all, and the pain is getting worse and I can feel it affecting a bigger area of my face now. I know which tooth the pain is originally coming from when the dentist tapped it to check. I’m taking painkillers everyday to cope with it but it’s getting beyond that now and I can still feel it over the painkillers.

The pain started off just above my tooth in my cheek as a dull ache but would come in waves of extreme pain and throbbing. Then the pain eases off after 10-60 minutes and goes back to the dull ache again. Then later on, another episode of extreme pain starts again.

When it’s a dull ache I can just about put up with it and get on with my life, but the waves of extreme pain are agonising. Nothing helps and I end up lying down sobbing holding onto my face. They’re happening a lot more often now, and it’s not just the tooth that’s sore now- it’s my entire upper jaw, lower jaw, cheek area and ear. It feels like my face on that side is throbbing and the pain has been enough to make me sick. My jaw hurts as if I’ve been punched and it sometimes feels tingly, as if it’s itchy inside it. My ear throbs and feels exactly like when I had an ear infection. It also aches on the hard bit of my head (sorry don’t know the exact word) directly behind my ear lobe. The tooth itself is more painful now too and I can feel it throbbing in my mouth. The other side of my face is fine.

I’ve got a root canal booked but it’s months away (nobody’s fault, dentists are just extremely busy right now) but the thought of waiting weeks nevermind months with this pain makes me feel so scared. I don’t know why I’m posting, I just don’t know what to do😭 I can’t afford private unfortunately. I was thinking of enquiring about getting the tooth extracted but I really wanted to avoid that if i could at my age. Anyone else been in this situation, did you wait for the RCT or just have it removed?

Where abouts is the tooth? My bil got one at the back extracted and was a life changing moment!

Trust me if it’s your tooth tha’s the issue-just get it taken out-3 members of immediate family were ‘convinced’ to have root canal and then after a year or so all had tooth removed because they were in agony.All 3 had different dentists!

I had 2 root canals and both had failed within 2 years. Save the money and just get them extracted.

Ring the dentists now and tell them you cannot go on in this pain. They will be able to advise you.

You need your dentist to do the first part of the root canal treatment as an emergency. Called a ‘pulp extripation’. Should settle the tooth until the main RCT appt.

What pain relief are you using, OP? The right mix of opiate, anti-inflammatory and paracetomol might get on top of the pain somewhat after a few days for the anti-inflammatory to work though you might need a GP to prescribe the appropriate beyond OTC doses.

Has the culprit been confirmed by X Ray, sometimes tapping and nerve layout/referred pain can mean an innocent get extracted and the problem remains?

When I had toothache I got an emergency appt with my NHS dentist. I'd go back (again) and get them to take x-rays to help prove something needs doing immediately. Hopefully they'll book you in for an emergency extraction.

I'd ring and say you're feeling suicidal with the pain.

I had an extraction and the relief was immense. I would say go for it if you are in unbearable pain

Book in with an emergency dentist to get it pulled. You might need antibiotics etc so don't do it yourself. Xx

My back top tooth suddenly got very sore before Christmas, opted to have it removed as it would be a month before a root canal could be done privately.

I was eating painkillers like sweets.
The relief at getting it out was immense.

You'll have anemergency out of hours dentist can you call them tonight. Agree with others, I had 2 pulled out this year and although one was traumatic the relief was instant

You must go as an emergency for the first boy of the root canal. Must.

First bit not boy?!?

Oh poor you that sounds horrid. Ring the dentist for an emergency appointment. Some hospitals have emergency dentists too (at least my local one does), so if that's an option take yourself there. You can't carry on suffering like that. An extraction will provide immediate relief but don't do it yourself in case of infection xx

If you can pay you will get seen somewhere. If you can't, I wonder if you are anywhere near a dental hospital.

People are weird about extractions. 'we don't like pulling a healthy tooth' etc. Mate, if it was healthy I wouldn't be sobbing and considering scoring actual street heroin.

I've had loads of root canals and a fair few extractions too. I'd whip the bugger out, once it's gone it'll never hurt you again.

Solidarity, from a 70s child with the teeth to prove it x

Obviously don't attempt home surgery (appreciate that was dark humour), sadly many people have been driven to it in the pandemic.

Pain ruins lives and trashes families. I hope that once this is all over, we fully reappraise how dentistry is done in this country.

It’s not true that after root canal done you’ll need to remove the tooth very soon anyway. You can have root canal done and then live with this tooth ages. It depends on how good is your dentist. Unfortunately NHS dentistry is overstretched and it affects the quality of work.
I would ring your surgery and explain that you are in pain, they usually have emergency appointments or may at least move you closer and suggest different combination of painkillers. I really feel for you. Toothache is absolutely unbearable.

Don’t get your tooth pulled! I can’t believe people are suggesting that, these are your teeth, hang onto them! In any case if you can find someone to pull it, I am sure you can find someone to treat it!

I think you need to ring around dentists and try to find one that will take you as an emergency maybe ask about payment options as well. Dentists don’t normally leave people in pain for a month.

I have had a couple of abscesses in my time unfortunately, I know there is nothing like the relentless pain of toothache. What pain relief are you using? I found the gels that numb the area to be the best, although by no means solve the issue.

I was in a similar situation and had the (back) tooth extracted at a private dentist for a shade over £100.

I'm now registered with them permanently and am looking at having something put in the gap as part of an ongoing treatment plan to sort my teeth out, but I absolutely do not regret having the extraction done for a moment.

Root canal? If it’s at the back, get it out. I had the same about 6 weeks or so ago. It’s been removed and I’ll get an implant.

I know the feeling, I really wanted to pull it out myself. It’s horrific.

Did they take the pulp out and put a temporary cap/filling on? If its still hurting then either not done properly or there's an infection - you need to go back to the dentist on an emergency appt if you're in pain. I imagine if you have to wait for an RC then there will be a waiting list for extraction as well.

Dentist here. Call them NOW. Tell them pain unbearable. Say you are worried that it could start affecting your airways.
Request that they see you for first stage endodontic treatment. This is where they can drill a hole through the middle of the tooth to either drain an infection, or take an irritated dying nerve out.
Tell them you refuse yet another course of antibiotics, as this could lead to subsequent atb resistance. Tell them it is their duty of care to provide ACTUAL treatment, not fob you off.

Oh god op that sounds awful.

I'd get it taken out ASAP tbh.