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Infected tooth extraction. How painful?

100 replies

Painpaingoaway1 · 02/02/2024 23:17

On Monday, I started having pain in my back tooth and my gums. By Wednesday the pain was excruciating so I saw my dentist and was prescribed antibiotics. The pain became worse today despite taking the antibiotics so I saw an emergency dentist. She was absolutely horrible and unsympathetic and wanted to remove the tooth, which i am terrified of. She told me she has other patients to see and if I want to stay in pain then I should leave. She was very rough when looking at the tooth.

Now, I know I'm going to have to have this tooth removed and I'm gonna book into to see my dentist in the morning. I'm in pain but I'm absolutely terrified of getting it removed. Has anyone had an infected tooth extracted and how bad was it?

OP posts:
Roussette · 04/02/2024 16:45

I have been through this. More than once sadly.

I have had an abscess the size of a golf ball and infections and extractions over the years. I have been through a lot with my teeth, and believe me... when you have an infection and they extract the tooth, the relief is absolutely immense. All the pain you have will just go... just like that.

I know what it is like to rock with pain every hour or so all night believe me.

If it has to be extracted, have this done as soon as possible you might be crying with the pain now, but you will be crying with the relief when it's done!

Painpaingoaway1 · 04/02/2024 16:48

At this point, I'm not even scared of the extraction anymore. I just want it done. But unfortunately I have to wait. Just hoping the antibiotics calm it down a little bit while I wait

OP posts:
Minglemangle007 · 04/02/2024 17:11

Hi there,
Glad to hear you are feeling a bit more human, but do not be afraid to keep on at the dentist.
I had an infected wisdom tooth that cost me more than a thousand pounds on appointments, 4 courses of antibiotics and a face that looked like the elephant man, I understand the suicidal feelings.
As it got worse, dentist referred me to A&E and I was seen by the surgeon within 2 hours of arrival and admitted on the spot.
He later, rather too gleefully, said it went like a geyser when they took it out, with the operation lasting 2.5 hours and I was in 2 days.

The feeling of relief was unreal and I didn't even need pain killers when I came out of hospital.

God luck!

Ahhhhhbisto · 04/02/2024 17:18

Hi OP. Sorry you are in so much pain. Hopefully the antibiotics kick in soon. Have you tried orajel? It's an absolute god send if you have dental pain. It doesn't last very long but works well enough for a bit of respite and you can use it alongside pain relief.

rosie1959 · 04/02/2024 17:23

Salt water can help used regularly on any infection. Also mouthwash with alcohol in it will help relieve the pain.
I had an infected tooth last year and waited for the infection to clear before extraction. I am not afraid of the dentist which helps my dentist is very good as I particularly dislike the injection but he can even inject front teeth with no pain.

QuelleSupriseMoi · 05/02/2024 09:01

How are you today @Painpaingoaway1

Painpaingoaway1 · 05/02/2024 18:16

Pain isn't as bad but good news. I managed to get a hospital appointment to get the tooth out tomorrow as an emergency. I'm a bit worried as I have a funeral to attend in the afternoon and hoping I can still go. The dentist did say I will be a bit achy but nothing like the pain I'm in now. So going to try to aim to go.

OP posts:
galliverstravels · 05/02/2024 19:01

I was hoping you'd update when you were able. I wish you the best for tomorrow for the tooth removal as well as the funeral. Give yourself some time in the evening to rest if you can do. We will be thinking of you.

Y0URSELF · 05/02/2024 19:19

Painpaingoaway1 · 05/02/2024 18:16

Pain isn't as bad but good news. I managed to get a hospital appointment to get the tooth out tomorrow as an emergency. I'm a bit worried as I have a funeral to attend in the afternoon and hoping I can still go. The dentist did say I will be a bit achy but nothing like the pain I'm in now. So going to try to aim to go.

That great news that you have an appointment tomorrow. And it’s good that it’s been done by an oral surgeon, they are specialists and really good at their job. They do this kind of procedure all the time , not like general dental practitioners who do everything - check ups, fillings, root canal, gum disease etc .

So you are being seen by one of the top people!

You will be a bit sore - not straight afterwards but after an hour or so when the local anaesthetic wears off. That’s why you need to take the painkillers before you need them IYSWIM.

Now I’m going to lecture you here - you must MUST write down every time you take the meds - how many and what time. You CANT afford to lose track, especially if you take then at night when you are sleepy. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

You also need to look after the socket ( hole in your gum) and not dislodge the blood clot. This is also important , otherwise you will be in a Lot of pain.

The hospital will give you a sheet of paper with aftercare instructions, so do EXACTLY what they tell you.

When I had a similar extraction I felt very shaken up afterwards , a bit traumatised TBH. Even though I didn’t have a lot of pain and I had no swelling as I iced for hours . I do literally mean hours, like 6 - 8 hours. I sat up on the sofa with an ice pack, watched Netflix and felt sorry for myself.

I don’t think I would have been fit to go to a funeral ( although you might cope with it better than me). I’m just trying to be honest.

So unless it’s it’s a very close relative or your best friend I think you would be better to go home and rest . You can just send a message / card sending your apologies and saying that you had to go into hospital for emergency treatment.

perhaps arrange to go and visit the immediate family / chief mourner / next of kin in 3-4 weeks. That’s often when other people are around less and they feel their loss more.

Another option might be to go to the service at the church / crematorium/ etc and then go straight home. Often it’s quite short. Id only do this if it was a short journey and I could drive / get a lift / taxi. No long bus journeys and standing at bus stops. And defo no going to the wake.

Just my opinion / experience.

hby9628 · 05/02/2024 20:25

Good luck tomorrow Op. hope all goes smoothly x

LemmysBullet · 06/02/2024 06:44

Good luck today, will be thinking of you. You are being very brave.

Sorry that you've got a funeral to attend.

Painpaingoaway1 · 06/02/2024 22:19

Great news. The tooth came out in about 30 seconds. No pain then and no pain now. Was able to go to the funeral and the wake. Have taken some painkillers as I'm feeling a bit bruised but 99% better than I felt before

OP posts:
Notherefortheclout · 06/02/2024 22:26

Before they pull the tooth you have to have completed the full dose of antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Once done book in for root canal or extraction, If extraction make sure they give you multiple injections in and around affected tooth for maximum impact. They should prod your gums with sharp instrument first to make sure you're properly numb before proceeding. Even go as far as saying you can still feel something when they pride to get extra injection. Once overly Injected you won't feel a thing just feeling tugging and hearing cracking noises.

DrSpartacular · 06/02/2024 22:27

Fab news @Painpaingoaway1

Well done and hope it heals quickly Flowers

galliverstravels · 06/02/2024 22:30

Well done OP, really pleased you were able to get it out today and able to attend the funeral and wake. Im sure you'll sleep better tonight than you have for a while!

PickledMuffin · 06/02/2024 22:30

Well done @Painpaingoaway1 👏👏👏 now you can heal and put it all behind you. X

LemmysBullet · 06/02/2024 22:35

Well done. You must be so relieved.

Painpaingoaway1 · 06/02/2024 22:45

Thank you everyone. I am feeling really proud of myself. I even made it through the extraction without crying and I AM a cry baby.

OP posts:
Violinist64 · 07/02/2024 09:05

Good news. You can put it all behind you now in the certainty that this tooth can never hurt you again.

Northernsouloldies · 07/02/2024 18:43

Well done, it was long haul for you. 😁

hby9628 · 07/02/2024 22:12

Oh great news that you're sorted. Hope you caught up on some sleep.

Cattymonster · 08/02/2024 13:47

Great news @Painpaingoaway1 😁

Painpaingoaway1 · 08/02/2024 16:37

Nearly pain free today just a bit sore. Not needed any painkillers. Feel like a brand new woman. Thank you all for the support. I asked the dentist to keep the tooth. I've now named him "the evil one".😁

OP posts:
DrSpartacular · 08/02/2024 16:48

That is such good news.

Y0URSELF · 10/02/2024 00:38

Well done @Painpaingoaway1 , you’ve been very brave 👍🏻

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