@OhPolly Oh you poor thing, loads of sympathy here! I had toothache during the pandemic and was often walking around swirling a mouthful of whiskey against my tooth. I wasn't much of a drinker then so I would then spit the whiskey out! More recent me would have been APPALLED. Also got benzocaine gel from Boots to apply all around the gum, would invariably get it on my tongue, inner cheek and lips and be a mumbling buffoon for a while after.
Still on a waiting list to get the tooth taken out in hospital five years later.
Might get a letter from the NHS when I'm in my dotage and clinging on to whatever teeth I have left, offering to take it out for me, and I can rise slowly and triumphantly from my armchair, one arm aloft in celebration, one holding on to my zimmer frame, gummily grinning to myself and shouting,
'Dey's gonna do it! Dey's gonna take me teef! It's been 84 years...'
A care worker will appear and gently steer me by the elbow, hiding an eye roll, and she'll say,
'Yes dear, let's get you back to your room now, how about a nice cup of tea?'
'I din' say TEA! I said TEEF! Dey's gonna take my teef!'
'Now nobody's going to take your teeth dear, you're quite safe, why don't we have a sit d-'
'MY TEEF!'