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Original poster

Root Canal hurting years later and 36 weeks pregnant

12 replies

Elopelo · 27/02/2021 01:43

Hi all, wide awake currently with a horrible ache in upper right molar. Had root canal on this tooth almost 5 years ago. Since then haven't had any problems with it just a bit of sensitivity now and again. My dentist left a temporary filling on it- have been back to the dentisr a few times since then with wisdom tooth troubles and nothing was mentioned about the temporary filling so

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Original poster
Elopelo · 27/02/2021 01:46

Sorry posted too soon....

So 2 nights ago woke up with a heavy ache in my mouth and thought it might have just been a pregnancy thing but tonight its a lot worse and pain seems to be coming from this tooth and tooth next to it, but whole mouth, face and ear feel heavy and achy.

I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant and will phone the dentist in the morning but just wondering what to expect and what can be done? If anyone is up as I am wide awake and can't stop Googling. Much appreciated.

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milkamamma · 27/02/2021 01:54

Sorry I can't offer any real advice (not a dentist) but I think hormonal changes in pregnancy cause changes to teeth for sure.

My first pregnancy seemed to bring two of my wisdom teeth out and my second pregnancy saw both of them become mildly infected/inflamed at 37 weeks. Whole side of my face ached, made my throat hurt and felt like I had ear ache. I knew the dentist wouldn't touch them when pregnant, a dental nurse friend suggested using a syringe to clean the area with warm salty water and it really did alleviate the pain. It can be done multiple times a day.

I also had a temporary filling replaced 3-4 times during the course of my pregnancy.

Keep on top of the paracetamol and I'd book in to see the dentist in your case if possible.

Original poster
Elopelo · 27/02/2021 02:03

Hi thank you so much for your reply and sharing your experiences. Sorry you had to go through all of that when pregnant. I find the face and ear ache very uncomfortable and just can't relax.

I've just taken some paracetamol now so hopefully it kicks in soon and will try the salt water rinse tomorrow as well.

Thanks again.

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escorpion · 27/02/2021 02:09

hello, I also had terrible jaw and face ache before needing a root canal. The only thing that helped was taking ibuprofen over the course of the few days before I could see the dentist. You should see what meds are are ok, and what doses, since you are pregnant, but it worked much better when taken with milk or food, not water. Hope you can get seen soon, there really is not much worse than toothache!

Geppili · 27/02/2021 02:14

That sounds miserable! When I needed root canal for wisdom teeth I found making a hot water bottle and wrapping in a towel an resting it on my ear and jaw really soothed it. But be careful not to fall asleep on it in case of burns!

Geppili · 27/02/2021 02:16

Rinse your mouth out with warm salty water really can soothe it as well. X

ItsDinah · 27/02/2021 02:21

I've had an old abscess reactivate many years after root canal treatment. In my case it reactivated suddenly, just woke up in the middle of the night by the pain.The dentist just cleaned it out again. I needed antibiotics too. The antibiotics you get are safe in pregnancy. Go to your dentist as a matter of emergency. The longer you leave it untreated the worse the infection gets. Get it zapped now. Once its been treated, your dentist can advise on a permanent filling. The best bet may be a crown. You are entitled to free NHS dental treatment

Original poster
Elopelo · 27/02/2021 06:52

Thank you all for your suggestions. Been up all night with the discomfort and a partying toddler who decided 2.30am is a great wake up time. Just waiitng to call Dentists at 8am. I don't know what it is about toothache but it just sets me off in a panic!

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Original poster
Elopelo · 27/02/2021 06:53

@ItsDinah Thank you your post has been very helpful in allowing me to understand what the possible courses of treatment could be.

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Original poster
Elopelo · 27/02/2021 10:54

Just got back from an emergency appointment with the dentist, have been prescribed a 5 day course of Amoxicillin to try and tide me over until baby is here. Dentist said that it is the root canal tooth and it can be treated again but I would have to be referred to a specialist and it would only be available privately and even then it might not work. So she recommended getting the tooth removed on the NHS after birth.

Praying that the antibiotics get rid of this pain for me and can keep me going until then!

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ItsDinah · 27/02/2021 19:58

My reactivated access was treated privately at vast expense as I didn't want to lose the tooth. I would check how/if your dentist proposes to fill the gap if the tooth is pulled. I know someone who wound up with a denture for one missing front tooth ! Hope it's feeling better soon. Can take a few days.

Original poster
Elopelo · 02/03/2021 17:39

Thanks very much @ItsDinah

Thank God I'm feeling a lot better today. I've been in touch with my midwife to get my NHS maternity exemption certificate and as soon as it comes through will re register with the dental practice and hopefully see if the tooth can be saved somehow.

Thanks again everyone for your help when I was feeling so bad in the middle of the night.

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