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Original poster

Toothache making me climb the walls

57 replies

PennyForTheme · 03/01/2021 18:46

I have a severe toothache that started on Friday. I can't see a dentist until Wednesday and already I am in bloody agony. It is my lower wisdom tooth that is causing me trouble. It needs to be extracted at the Dental Hospital. I have already been waiting an absolute age for the appointment.

I am now concerned that it an abscess rather than a "normal" infection. (Actually I don't know if there is any difference). But I have been Googling and managed to scare the bejesus out of me about Sepsis and blocked airways.

How worried do I need to be? And what can I do about the pain? Omg the pain. Honestly would rather give birth without pain relief again.

OP posts:
Original poster
PennyForTheme · 03/01/2021 21:11

@DishedUp thanks. Dentist seems to think it's not an abscess because the tooth doesn't hurt more when you tap it. Would you agree with that assessment? And can it be infected but not abscessed or are they the same thing? I lost my mum last year to sepsis so I'm twitchy.

OP posts:
Original poster
PennyForTheme · 03/01/2021 21:12

With the salt water recommendations am I just swilling hot salty water round my mouth regularly? I have just started doing that thanks and it does give some short relief. Probably because it makes everything numbish

OP posts:
Sarcobaleno · 03/01/2021 21:16

@PennyForTheme

With the salt water recommendations am I just swilling hot salty water round my mouth regularly? I have just started doing that thanks and it does give some short relief. Probably because it makes everything numbish
Saltwater helps minimise infection. If it's not an infection (fingers crossed) then I can't see it doing it any harm so if it was me I would def do saltwater. I swirled it fairly vigorously round the area that was sore when it was me.
DishedUp · 03/01/2021 21:20

Yes that makes sense. You can have a mintor infection thats not really an abscess, or a draining infection that again I wouldnt count as an abscess but neither of these put you at risk of sepsis. So dont worry.

Sorry about your mum Flowers

3beesinmybonnet · 03/01/2021 21:50

IIRC (it was 3 decades ago) the dentist didn't specify hot water so I would just use tepid. It doesn't work by stopping the pain - the salt produces a hostile environment where the infection cannot survive. That's why you need to do it every half hour, keeping each mouthful in your mouth as long as you can before spitting it out . Then another mouthful till you've used up the whole cup. It should work if it's infected. I don't remember any great swelling with mine. The wisdom tooth coming through pushed my other teeth together and pinched the gum. Good luck

Original poster
PennyForTheme · 03/01/2021 22:12

Thank you. I will keep at it with the salt water. Hopefully that, painkillers, ice packs, Clove Oil and Gavin & Stacey will get me to morning.

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Sarcobaleno · 03/01/2021 22:23

Hope it eases soon @PennyForTheme and very sorry about your mum.

WouldstrokeTomHardy · 03/01/2021 22:34

Suspected abscess require immediate treatment. Phone your usual dentist for out of hours number. You cannot fuck about with an abscess. If it is an abscess and you can't see anyone until Wednesday then you need antibiotics. I don't want to scare you but if you get any swelling on your face or neck then hot foot it to a&e.

They are easily treated but yes dangerous if not dealt with as you describe

Gingaaarghpussy · 03/01/2021 23:04

I went to my local pharmacy and explained my problem, they suggested alternating ibuprofen and paracetamol and codeine. Along with sloshing corsodyl mouthwash, it solved my agonising toothache.

Original poster
PennyForTheme · 03/01/2021 23:12

I have spoken to OOH already who have only suggested that I call my dentist first thing in the morning.

OP posts:
WouldstrokeTomHardy · 03/01/2021 23:26

Make sure you op. Don't mess with a possible abscess. It's not something that painkillers can see off

Original poster
PennyForTheme · 04/01/2021 00:22

I will thank you. Had a good look at the tooth and surrounding gum in a mirror (gross I know). And I think I can see puss on the gum. So suppose it is definitely an abscess. Really hope the dentist can see me first thing. First day back at work tomorrow and all I'm capable of is rocking in a corner.

OP posts:
quarentini · 04/01/2021 00:30

Honestly I would take the antibiotics that you have in the house

Sycamoretrees · 04/01/2021 01:05

I know it sounds a bit strange, but when I had agonising tooth ache I found sitting in front of a fan heater blowing hot air at me really helped. Also, making sure you keep up the pain relief as it has an accumulative affect as it builds up in your system. But careful you don't over dose. Hope the night passes quickly for you and you get some help tomorrow.

Original poster
PennyForTheme · 04/01/2021 01:07

Thank you. Ice packs seem to help. I have one tied to my face with a scarf! But this is my third night unable to sleep. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. (Actually who am I kidding. I'm crying)

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TheBlueStocking · 04/01/2021 01:08

If you can visit two different chemists and get Solpadeine Max and the Neurofen that comes with codeine, you should have less pain. Also, some orajel where it's infected will really help.

Sycamoretrees · 04/01/2021 01:10

Definitely go with what's working for you , have you got any good distractions? Pains always worse at night when it's quiet.

Workyticket · 04/01/2021 01:17

Toothache is the worst pain. I had a raging abcess in the first lockdown. Took 3 lots of antibiotics to clear it - got a lovely dose of thrush from them too which was great not hope you get sorted soon op

Sarcobaleno · 04/01/2021 09:33

How's your tooth today?

BlackCatShadow · 04/01/2021 09:39

It does sound like an abscess to me.

I really hope your dentist can see you. Can you just turn up and ask to wait? I really feel for you.

GymMat · 04/01/2021 09:50

When I had horrible tooth ache dentist told me to call my gp for pain killers dunno if that's something you can do.

boxingdayclearout · 04/01/2021 10:32

Don't contact your gp. They have enough on their plates.
And you can't walk in to dentists either due to Covid restrictions. Call them today, if you haven't already.

DishedUp · 04/01/2021 11:45

Honestly I think posters on here are scaring you unecessarily. You do not need to go to a&e if your face is hot to touch. Or even if your face to swells up

You only need to go to a&e if you have difficulty breathing/swallowing or obviously a high temp/feeling sick. You need to see your dentist, who needs to treat the tooth and if there is an abscess, drain it.

DishedUp · 04/01/2021 11:47

If theres no swelling it will be fine to wait to wednesday but I would try and get in sooner for your own comfort. On the caveat that if you do get swelling you need to push to be seen.

BlackCatShadow · 04/01/2021 12:02

The pain from an abscess is unbearable. You can't sleep, you can barely eat. When I had one, I was stuck crying on the sofa until the antibiotics kicked in. It really makes me angry that the dentist won't see you immediately.