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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

I am in toothache hell.

51 replies

CrumblingTeeth · 30/05/2017 17:01

I'm 32 weeks and have been suffering with awful toothache for the past 2 weeks.

I've been having root canal treatment since January and I've been in agony since my last appointment 2 weeks ago and no one will do anything to help me.

I can't eat, can't sleep, can barely drink. My entire head is painful. I'm just in constant agony and of course bloody paracetemol doesn't even take the edge off.

I spend most nights crying and screaming in to a pillow. The pain is much worse at night. I can't sleep.

I've had to call in sick to work because moving my mouth and talking is so painful and I have talk all day in my job.

I want the dentist to remove it but he won't. Surely removing it now would be best? The tooth is just disgusting, there's no way it can be saved and I don't want anymore RCT.

I am so worried and scared that I am hurting my baby.

I don't want to be giving birth and dealing with a newborn while suffering like this.

I can't take anymore!!

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Rainatnight · 30/05/2017 17:04

God, you poor thing. I've had root canal trouble, though not pregnant, and I can't believe being left in that pain for that amount of time.

Did he give a reason why he wouldn't extract it? Can you go and see someone else privately?

Perfectly1mperfect · 30/05/2017 17:11

That doesn't sound right. I have had a couple of root canals. Once they are done you shouldn't have any more pain as there's no nerve in the tooth.

Is the root canal finished ? Is the pain definitly from that tooth ? You can have pain at the top when the actual tooth with the problem is at the bottom.

It's your decision and if you tell your dentist you want it removed then they should remove it.

Rainatnight · 30/05/2017 17:13

Yes, good point. I also should have said that the treatment shouldn't be going on this long. They take the nerve out, fill it, and that's it. Even a complex one should only require two sessions max.

Where are you based? If you're in London, I can recommend the (horribly expensive) specialist who sorted mine out.

Original poster

CrumblingTeeth · 30/05/2017 17:23

I don't understand why it's taking so long. I never had any pain until 2 weeks ago. Dentist told me he doesn't think it will be finished until after the baby is born.

I saw an emergency dentist yesterday as I was so desperate but she just whacked my tooth with her metal stick which of course made me scream. She then told me I must apologise to my baby for the trauma and wait until after he's born to do anything and sent me on my way.

I can't afford to go private. I'm up North.

I can't take anymore. I'm so tired. I just want it gone. I can't function!

OP posts:

Dede124 · 30/05/2017 17:25

Ahh no @CrumblingTeeth tooth ache is the worst!! Have you tried the numbing gel you can get from the chemist.. I'm sure it begins with B? I can't remember what it's called but I used it once when I wasn't pregnant when I had severe toothache although i was using it on top of painkillers but it deffo took the edge off it literally numbs the whole area like an injection does. I'm sure that would be safe to use. Hope you get better soon

Highalert · 30/05/2017 17:26

Why wont they take it out?

PiesDescalzos · 30/05/2017 17:28

I'd be finding a new dentist, private might be better if you can afford it. You shouldn't be left in this much pain for this long.

Does anyone know if clove oil can be used during pregnancy? I know this is excellent for tooth pain, either dabbed on to the affected tooth/gum with a cotton bud or chewing a clove. Disgusting but effective. However I don't know if it's allowed during pregnancy, there's conflicting info from a quick google? Can anyone enlighten with a definitive answer?

Sorry you are suffering op!

Shitalopram · 30/05/2017 17:29

I agree, they should take it out! I had toothache like this when DC1 was about 5 weeks old. I told them that I would be leaving either my tooth behind at the surgery, or the baby, as I couldn't handle both!!!

PiesDescalzos · 30/05/2017 17:31

Ah private a no go, sorry about that op. Goodness that emergency dentist sounds a nightmare - will never understand why they are so aggressive when someone is in obvious pain.

I think a pp is talking about Benzocaine. I had that, it's called Orajel and I got it from Boots. Numbs the area reasonably well.

Again I'm not sure what's allowed in pregnancy.

Original poster

CrumblingTeeth · 30/05/2017 17:31

I've tried orajel. It made my tongue and cheek numb for about 10 minutes but didn't affect any of the other pain.

Something is not right but no one will help me, no matter how much I cry and complain and beg.

When I asked about taking it out, dentist just said no and not to be hasty. The gap would be visible when I talk and smile and he said that it's not worth it. I don't give a shit about that but he just brushed me off.

OP posts:

PiesDescalzos · 30/05/2017 17:33

Have you tried salt rinses?

Highalert · 30/05/2017 17:33

I'd go back and demand he takes it out. You can worry about the gap after the pains gone.

ElphabaStrop · 30/05/2017 17:37

Have they (or can they) give you antbiotics? Sounds infected. You can't carry on like this. I have a high pain threshold but when I had an infection in an old root canalled front tooth it was bloody AGONY. No room for swelling in a front tooth. Tramadol, numbing gel and antibiotics sorted it temporarily.

Nodney · 30/05/2017 17:40

I feel for you OP. The same thing happened to me. I got a little chip in my tooth at 28 weeks and my dentist wouldn't treat it. By 35 weeks I was in agony. I asked for it out at around 32 weeks bit was told no. It came to a head at 39 weeks when I touched my tooth and nearly fainted with pain (and I usually tolerate pain well). I thought "there's no way I can give birth like this" and begged my original dentist to take it out. He gave me the maximum amount of local anaesthetic allowed on a pregnant woman and told me if it wasn't enough then I had to go to hospital and they'd remove it for me. It was enough and he took it out. The week after I had my DS and he was absolutely fine. Hope you're ok OP

PiesDescalzos · 30/05/2017 17:43

If dentist really won't budge could calling 111 be of any use? Or gp? You clearly are not coping with the pain here and all of this stress is not good for you or baby. How awful that you are being ignored like this. I had severe pain issues during pregnancy and was prescribed more than paracetamol for short term by doctor.

I don't think sticking a band aid on the pain is the answer as the tooth clearly needs further attention, possibly antibiotics even, but you need to lessen the pain so you can cope again. It sounds horrific. Pain causes all kinds of stress to the body and this will impact baby too. So shocked you are being fobbed off like this. Dental pain is one of the worst.

vickifaith · 30/05/2017 17:57

Root canals are notorious for not always working...I've had a few (suffered with bad teeth from my first pregnancy) and most didn't work. I know everyone else has said this, but push to have it out. It's unlikely to get much better and the pain is unbearable when you should be enjoying your pregnancy. Sending hugs X

Gothbaby · 30/05/2017 18:59

Ahhh you poor p ooooor thing!! know exactly how you are feeling. About 18 weeks I had an infection in my tooth due to a hole within my tooth (not outside) and hitting my gums so it was a nerve infection. They refused to take it out and root canal i couldnt handle. Plus i moved house/had no bed for a few weeks too! Sooo the Only thing that helped was sleeping sitting up (lots of pillows) and holding ice against my face. My dentist did allow me some meds to help with the infection. So I have a spare pack if it happens again before baby. Thank fuck for maternity med .cards ! Can't wait til it's born.... ripping my tooth straight out! Xxx

Blink1982 · 30/05/2017 22:30

I had really bad teeth last time i was pregnabt. I went to the Dr and let her know what the dentist were saying, she prescribed decent cocodamol for me. Other than that I used orajel max tubes of it a day, clove oil, hot water bottles and ice poles. Tooth ache is horrendous, esp when they refuse to do anything. You have my complete sympathy op.

daisygirlmac · 30/05/2017 22:36

Toothache is AWFUL just came on to say you can have better painkillers than paracetamol - I took prescribed codeine from 22 weeks for sciatica. Can you get emergency appt with the GP tomorrow and get something? Then go back to your knob of a dentist and tell him what's happening. Find your pregnancy rage. Unleash hell.

OurMiracle1106 · 30/05/2017 22:40

I had a horribly decayed wisdom tooth that has never grown was told by my dentist it was a 4 week wait. Searched online found a dentist 10mins walk away that did weekend appointments and booked one. Unfortunately by the Friday I couldn't cope and was sent home from work as soon as I got an appointment. Was seen. Rebooked for it to be removed which then ended up at root canal as it was too close to a nerve and booked for 3 weeks later.

Wasn't in pain at all after root canal after first 36 hours.

For the first 2 weeks though I was sleeping with an ice pack on my Face rinsing (not swallowing) jack Daniels to numb it before bed and avoiding anything hot or cold. Room temp was my friend
Calgel teething gel is also really useful (yes I know it's for babies but it helps)
Hope you feel better soon.

JaneEyre70 · 30/05/2017 22:43

Find another dentist!! That sounds horrendous...... I've had a root canal, and OMG when she banged the tooth to test it, I screamed at the top of my lungs. Luckily she smiled and said yes it's definately that one then . She put a temporary filling on it, I went back and had the tooth insides removed and the roots cleaned out, a temp filling back in and then went back a week later for a further clean and permanent filling. It grumbled for a few days after but was manageable with painkillers. I think I had 2 x 90 minute appointments and it was done. I'm at a loss to understand how you've been having this done since January.............

Hoppinggreen · 30/05/2017 22:46

I had a tooth out (back) and the relief was amazing - didn't hurt to take it out and not much afterwards, certainly less than the toothache.
My Private dentist charged £100 which was a lot less then expected.
Also, my GP prescribed codeine when I was pg so I think it's safe to take ( check with a medic though )

RightOnTheEdge · 30/05/2017 22:49

You poor thing OP! I feel so bad for you. I had a tooth crumble about a month before I was due and I was up all night every night pacing and crying.
The dentist didn't have any appointments for 6 weeks and said no emergency appointments because they were short staffed. It was hell.
When my midwife saw me she was horrified and told me to take Co-codamol or whatever I needed to get me through because I looked terrible.
I got an appointment three days after giving birth and the dentist said she could try root canal or pull it out and I was like 'just get it out' it was such a relief!
I am so sorry your dentists haven't been helpful. I really hope you get it sorted really quickly

Original poster

CrumblingTeeth · 30/05/2017 23:32

I've been and bought so co-codamol. I'm desperate. I'm so tired I'm hallucinations. I asked my hu

OP posts:

Original poster

CrumblingTeeth · 31/05/2017 00:40

Oops

Asked my husband to drive me because I cannot function properly.

I've taken 2 co-codamol tablets and already they have taken the edge off. I'm drinking as much water as I can while it's not hurting as much. My wee was so dark earlier and I've only been to the toilet twice today. That's not good is it? But it has hurt so much to drink anything other than tiny sips of room temp water.

It's still throbbing and so painful but not burning stabbing pain anymore.

Hopefully I can get some sleep now.

I will ring dentist and GP at 8am when they open. Have a hospital appointment and scan booked at noon tomorrow. I need to have my wits about me for that.

Thanks so much for all your advice and stories and sympathy.

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