My worst fear (only a slight exaggeration) has come true. I've got toothache.

[ITonyah]

Last year I had a tooth abscess that was so bad I got to the point of not caring if I overdosed on painkillers.

It's been filled and root canalled.

Ive been so, so terrified of anything like it happening again. This morning I had a niggly ache in my jaw, took two nurofen and it went off, now it's back. I can't pin it down to a specific tooth though, it feels more in my jaw.

I'm petrified I will get another abscess and not be able to see a dentist

It's funny, because pretty much every area of health there's an acceptance that some people are more susceptible to certain illnesses etc. but when it comes to dental health people are quick to judge.

I have weak teeth due to living for some time with undiagnosed coeliac disease, I've cracked two teeth during lock down, I've already lost two teeth due to breakages and I'm now really self conscious about it (Even though it's largely unnoticeable as they're molars). Petrified that I'm going to lose more teeth. I've only ever had one filling, never been asked to go to the hygienist, brush and floss everyday, never been advised I need to brush more yet my teeth are still crumbling.

Don’t worry, love. We’re all fraught & tired & blurting out stuff. I know I am. I look back at the horror of my diseased wisdom tooth with fondness now because it was in normal times where you could see a dentist at the drop of a hat & get a hug from a pal afterwards - even though, at the time, the pain was almost on a par with child birth. Those were the days

Oil pulling is really good for oral hygiene and also toothache. It sounds a bit ikky but it's actually not so bad. In the morning i use a dessertspoon of coconut oil (it melts when it's in your mouth) you then swish it around in your mouth for 10mins until it goes almost like water. You pull the oil through your teeth and swish all around your mouth. You then spit it out and brush teeth as normal. And be sure not to swallow any as it's full of so much bacteria.

Once I had toothache in a lower back molar. I knew about oil pulling then so I started doing it morning and evening. After about 2-3 days the infection in the tooth had been pulled out from the oil pulling through my gum. I had like a pimple/small bump on my gum under the exact tooth, as soon as this happened the toothache went away. You then keep doing the oil pulling and the pimple (idk what else to call it) will then form a white head (it's the infection) which you can then pop and drain. And obviously spit out, then use some strong mouthwash to clean your mouth.

I do oil pulling now maybe 3x a week. Even more so with the current dentist situation.

Oh, it's also good for teeth whitening too and tooth enamel strengthening.

Just google it.

Its definitely toothache gets worse when I drink hot drinks. Have rung dentist but its still emergency only.

If the pain becomes unbearable I’d suggest getting private treatment through an online consultation, they’ll ask a few questions and you’ll get some antibiotics through the post, costs around £30-40 depending on who you choose - it’s a temporary solution but well worth the price as it gets rid of the pain. Might be better to do it before the pain becomes excruciating, which it may if left untreated.

Dentists are re-opening. But even if they’re not it’s antibiotics that stop the immediate pain of an abscess and they can still prescribe.

It’s probably teeth clenching stress though - bet it goes soon

Well if it hurts it is an emergency - they can talk to you over phone and prescribe antibiotics

Oh no! Sorry to hear this OP. I too have been living in fear of this since lockdown started. My teeth are a nightmare and I had images of an emergency when I couldn’t get treated.

If the pain is really bad you can call NHS111 and they can direct you to an emergency ‘hub’ I think. At the very least you should be able to get a prescription for antibiotics over the phone.

Hope you get it sorted!