Tooth ache - been hurting for months and

[Size6feet]

Well, I'm feeling very down with the pain now.
Had an x ray and they cant see anything wrong with it. It has a very big, extremely old metal filling in it. At first it felt 'odd' when I bit down on it and over the months its gradually got worse to the stage it is aching all day, sensitive to hot/cold and even inhaling sharply! It hurts to brush it too.

With my fingernail I can feel a vertical line in the enamel but its round the back of it where I cant see. Would that be the cause? It all looks ok - no swelling or filling breaking off. All observations and suggestions for treatment will be well received.

Sounds to me like the nerve is playing up. I had something similar and at first they could see nothing wrong the tooth, until half of it broke away. Ended up having a root canal filling and crown fitted.

My advice would be to have it removed.

I suffered for ten years with a root canal gone wrong, with a cap. Numerous stints to dentist as it was leaky so got infected frequently.

I got to the stage I just wanted it out. And it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

At best it sounds like you need a new filling-as in, taking out all of your old one and replacing.

I dislike going to the dentist to the extreme. Good luck!

If your nerve is playing up to that extent then you might need root canal treatment.

Return and tell them you want the old filling removed and some exploratory work done to see if the decay has gone deeper.

I had trouble a few years ago, but was fine after the root canal work and had one crown fitted.

It might be a cracked tooth. I had a similar experience. Infection got in and I had to have a root canal job.

I'm in a similar position with a tooth ( long story ) .

I don't really have enough energy to wrangle with dentist at moment ( he says sinus ,supposed to have referred dental hosp for xrays but .. anyway it goes on ) and I am currently keeping the pain and infection down by using Goldenseal tincture as a mouthwash .

Diluted with a very little water ,held in mouth next to rogue tooth and gum for ages ( 10 mins ) and then swallowed .
Seems to keep it in hand ,but I know some ghastly treatment will no doubt eventually have to be endured .

But Goldenseal tincture ( health shops ) I find really helps for mouth ,throat etc .

Good luck .

Thank you for all your replies.

I did go back and the dentist has removed the old filling and replaced it with a temporary one, placing steroid beneath it. Thankfully the pain has gone and so I will be having a permanent filling put in next week. Had it not stopped hurting then he was going for root canal treatment next. I am so relieved the pain has stopped.

gingeroots I hope you get yours sorted soon. I'll get some of that tincture for next time.
Boys - Ten years of pain! I can understand wanting to keep our real teeth for as long as possible.
jalopy Dentist made no comment on the condition of the tooth when he took out the old filling - I will ask him next time.
hidden I tend to be guided by what a dentist decides will be the way to go.
I think I need to be a lot more pro active.

Thanks for update ,that's interesting about putting steriod beneath it .

It's hard to know what to ask about teeth ,altho I always think of a question when I'm back home !

Glad you're on the way to a recovery .

Latest update - back to square one!
I bit on a seeded bap a month ago and set the pain off again. Its got gradually worse and last night was unbearable. I couldnt take more painkillers as I had taken 8 already. Today the side of my face feels bruised and its still throbbing.
I'm use clove oil and also putting Sensodine Repair and Protect all over it

My dentist said to come back if it swells up. Its not swollen.
So should I go somewhere else to get it sorted? I think I want someone who has all the latest equipment and who specialises in root canals. Going private probably best but how do I choose a good one? Is it worth going abroad even?

Oh dear - offering sympathy rather than advice .
Maybe icepacks would help ?

No idea about the dentist - I don't really understand the advice to only come back if it swells .
I would think pain over a month indicates something needs attending to .

Maybe the root is dying /infected ,maybe a root canal is the asnwer .

Maybe another dentist would be a good idea .

Good luck .

gingeroots Thank you for your sympathy and advice. This tooth has been feeling strange and playing up for over a year now.

I suppose if there was a swelling then they would have something definite to
work with.

After reading another dental thread on here I've spent hours looking round the link (www.dentalfearcentral.org) and found it very informative and educational.

I have had other dental work on this side of my mouth about 18 months ago, which as a result could have caused pressure on this one by altering the bite. I have taken a Calms Night time in case I am grinding my teeth when asleep and will see if theres any difference.

It's hard to get an idea of what's going on isn't it ?

I have come to feel that I am more informed about the rest of my body and that my teeth are a mystery .

I don't know why this should be .
Dentists lacking time to explain things ?

Anyway .... I think you should go back to the dentist ,either your existing one or a new one .
Pain for a year has to indicate something that requires attention .
( no doubt grumpy will be on here telling me off and telling me why I'm wrong )

I've had pain for a year with a crowned tooth ,a few months ago it really cranked up ,swelling etc . Most of the swelling has gone .
My dentist now ( after 12 months and a referral for an xray which wasn't sent ) thinks it's the nerve dying . And possibly some problem with my sinuses .

But i tell you that to encourage you to go back and to prepare you for a long haul - be more assertive than I was .
It might shorten the period of discomfort and forestall a full blown infection .

I googled Trigeminal Neuralgia AFCRhonda. Very interesting reading. Its made me realise that I shouldnt rush into finding someone to do a root canal until its clear that that is what the problem is. I would just like the pain to stop. I dont think I have the same symptoms as for TN.
So no abroad, no private treatment for now.

I'm due my 6month check up this week gingeroots so will let them know I'm still in pain