View Full Version : Spin-off from headaches - toothache
OK, having had toothache since Boxing Day, I need help.
Firstly, I am petrified of dentists.
I live in an area where it's impossible to register with a dentist, so I can't find a nice one and keep going there.
Emergency clinics are only available at restricted times, and, as before, I'm petrified of dentists.
Having said this, the pain was so bad on Thursday night that I had to make an emergency appointment and went on Friday.
Mr Dentist said I needed root canal treatment, I freaked and had a panic attack :( and he referred me to the hospital/dental clinic for sedation.
This is all very well - but I still have toothache. I've tried paracetemol, Anadin Extra, Ibuprofen, something else (can't remember what it's called, it's paracetemol and co-codamol though). I've tried the alcohol on the gums. I've tried pretty much everything I can think of - and it's not working. NHS Direct are about as useful as a chocolate fireguard and have told me to "sleep as much as possible and wait until Monday, find out when my referral will be, and try and push it forward" :rolleyes:
Does anyone else have any tips for toothache relief? I'm such a wimp, but I'm really struggling :(
Theodoric
10-01-2004, 23:08
Oil of cloves (rubbed on the gums, not drunk!) is the traditional remedy for toothache. You should be able to buy it at any chemists.
EDIT Anyone who has seen the film Marathon Man will remember oil of cloves being used as a treatment.
Oil of Cloves is o.k. but you want to ring your Doctor and get him out, he/she will give you a prescription for something stronger, you can nip down to ASDA or wherever and get it, but ring first thing tomorrow 'cos they take an age to come out ;)
Oil of Cloves is o.k. but you want to ring your Doctor and get him out, he/she will give you a prescription for something stronger, you can nip down to ASDA or wherever and get it, but ring first thing tomorrow 'cos they take an age to come out ;)
Without wishing to sound unsympathetic I would be very surprised if the GP would do an out of hours visit for toothache, more likely they would refer to an emergency dentist. Is there a Dental hospital nearby as you usually can self refer ??
My Tai Chi instructor has a problem with dentists....he decks them :rofl:
He now has to be anesthetized before any dental work....
OK, having had toothache since Boxing Day, I need help.
Firstly, I am petrified of dentists.
I live in an area where it's impossible to register with a dentist, so I can't find a nice one and keep going there.
Emergency clinics are only available at restricted times, and, as before, I'm petrified of dentists.
Having said this, the pain was so bad on Thursday night that I had to make an emergency appointment and went on Friday.
Mr Dentist said I needed root canal treatment, I freaked and had a panic attack :( and he referred me to the hospital/dental clinic for sedation.
This is all very well - but I still have toothache. I've tried paracetemol, Anadin Extra, Ibuprofen, something else (can't remember what it's called, it's paracetemol and co-codamol though). I've tried the alcohol on the gums. I've tried pretty much everything I can think of - and it's not working. NHS Direct are about as useful as a chocolate fireguard and have told me to "sleep as much as possible and wait until Monday, find out when my referral will be, and try and push it forward" :rolleyes:
Does anyone else have any tips for toothache relief? I'm such a wimp, but I'm really struggling :(
Hi, I sympathise with you there, I too hate dentists and have suffered some horrific toothaches as a result, so .. I'm not going to just tell you to go to see one. With regards to pain relief I found that 2 x Co-codamol (available over the counter) every 4 hours with 1 x 400mg Ibuprofen ever 4 hours but on the second hour of the co-codamol, so you're taking something every 2 hours, avoid cold liquids as they may help for about 10 seconds but as soon as your mouth warms up it'll hurt twice as much. Also stick something warm on the side of your face, like a hot water bottle. Hope it goes away soon, it's one of the most miserable experiences I know.
edit: If you are in a lot of pain then you can visit A&E at your local hospital, they'll sort you out with something a bit more hefty to tide you over.
OK, having had toothache since Boxing Day, I need help.
Firstly, I am petrified of dentists.
I live in an area where it's impossible to register with a dentist, so I can't find a nice one and keep going there.
Emergency clinics are only available at restricted times, and, as before, I'm petrified of dentists.
Having said this, the pain was so bad on Thursday night that I had to make an emergency appointment and went on Friday.
Mr Dentist said I needed root canal treatment, I freaked and had a panic attack :( and he referred me to the hospital/dental clinic for sedation.
This is all very well - but I still have toothache. I've tried paracetemol, Anadin Extra, Ibuprofen, something else (can't remember what it's called, it's paracetemol and co-codamol though). I've tried the alcohol on the gums. I've tried pretty much everything I can think of - and it's not working. NHS Direct are about as useful as a chocolate fireguard and have told me to "sleep as much as possible and wait until Monday, find out when my referral will be, and try and push it forward" :rolleyes:
Does anyone else have any tips for toothache relief? I'm such a wimp, but I'm really struggling :(
Well, you've got my sympathy - the worst pain i've ever experienced came from toothache, although in my case it was because I had an abcess. The pain started around tea-time one friday, and just got worse and worse. The only relief I got was from drinking cold water, the only problem was, the relief only lasted seconds, before having to have another drink.
That night, I had no sleep whatsoever, but I managed to get an emergency appointment the next day. I was told I would need root canal work also, but he gave me the option of having the thing took out. Needless to say, 20 minutes later, the tooth was out !!
Another 20 minutes later, I was in bed !!
And if none of the suggestions work, get the spirits out !!
I think you need to see someone as soon as possible.Why the heck should you bluddy wait?Especially as you will probably have to pay for the treatment. :mad:
Well, NHS direct called back after 2 hours, told me that I'd already overdosed on paracetemol (2 every 4 hours *sigh*) so best thing to do is try and sleep.
I've tried the doctor, I had an appointment with him on Monday, he laughed me out the office telling me i "have an irrational fear of dentists, don't be stupid, just go, they're all nice, you're just being silly" and to add to that, they won't prescribe anything for toothache, they're not qualified :rolleyes:
Emergency dentists are really not an option, I was in such a state on Friday that the dentist said he'd have had trouble treating me - I can't "pull myself together" enough to see them - besides, they're open 9-11:30 tomorrow morning and I can't get there :/
I feel like such a bloody wimp, I think I'm just fed up and exhausted of dealing with it after 2 weeks :/
Oh, as for A&E? I called them (same place as the emergency dentist & I can't get there easily). They won't do anything for dental pain either apparently, apart from recommend the emergency dentist *sigh*
Thanks for the help though - will definitely find a chemist or something to try co-codamol (the tablets I was on about in the first post aren't co-codamol at all, I lied ;))
Flubflow
11-01-2004, 00:27
Yep, oil of cloves is the traditional toothache pain remedy. Try to keep it in the required spot and away from the gums and rest of the mouth as best you can (`cos it tastes awful, makes you want to spit and can irritate soft tissues). At first you might sometimes think it is making it worse but give it a chance.
You may also like to try Bonjela (as used on teething babies gums). It can have an anesthetic effect if you use enough of it but it is really intended for gums rather than stuffing in a tooth cavity.
Do NOT put alcohol on your gums (medical or booze). It will not do any good for toothache and will only make the pain worse. Alcohol only has a slight anesthetic value when used externally on the skin because of the evapouration cooling and hence numbing effect but in the mouth this has no real or lasting effect.
If it is that you want to clean your mouth/gums/teeth with the minimum of disruption then use an antiseptic mouthwash or simply salt water (yuk) followed by fresh water.
Cool a hankerchief in the fridge and place that on the part of your face where the toothache is. Some people think warming the area helps but, although it may initially feel comforting, in many cases heat only makes pain and swelling worse.
If when you get a lull in the pain and you want to drink/eat then have some warm soup. Try to avoid things that are too cold or too hot since any sharp temperature change will often set your toothache off again.
When you go to bed, get a load of pillows and try to sleep with you head well above the rest of your body. Laying with your head right down makes the pain worse as more blood goes to the area.
Root canal treatment is not as bad as you think. I don't like dentists either (nothing personal you dentists out there ;)) but I had a root canal and it went really very well. The first part is the worst but the quickest and even that was OK in my case. The rest of the work is done on a tooth that effectively has no nerves in it anymore.
A good Dentist should be considerate to a persons phobia and they should have a well defined policy to help make you feel at ease. If you find that you are being made to feel a nuisance then report him/her to the BDA. We could do without sadistic, lazy, get-rich-quick Dentists.
Dentists didn't used to have to worry about nervous patients because they could just knock them out with gas or injection them but these days due to the expense of having a qualified anesthetist and equipment many now can only refer you to hospital which can be a bit impersonal. Sometimes they can give you a powerful tranquiliser at the hospital which are so good that it will make you feel like you couldn't care less whether or not they root canaled your entire head (but can make you start to sing at the top of your voice uncontrollably and grab nurses bottoms apparently).
Even just the anesthetic needle in the gum is often the worst fear for some people. If so then ask the dentist to rub some anesthetic gel on your gum and wait a few minutes before he sticks the needle in. The proper gel they use is good stuff and you won't feel the needle (they do this for kids but not usually for adults unless you insist or unless he actually cares about your phobia).
Hope this helps.
Flubflow
11-01-2004, 00:36
Well, you've got my sympathy - the worst pain i've ever experienced came from toothache, although in my case it was because I had an abcess. The pain started around tea-time one friday, and just got worse and worse. The only relief I got was from drinking cold water, the only problem was, the relief only lasted seconds, before having to have another drink.
That night, I had no sleep whatsoever, but I managed to get an emergency appointment the next day. I was told I would need root canal work also, but he gave me the option of having the thing took out. Needless to say, 20 minutes later, the tooth was out !!
Another 20 minutes later, I was in bed !!
And if none of the suggestions work, get the spirits out !!
That's a shame. There is absolutely no reason why a credible dentist should give you the option of taking out a tooth which has a perfectly healthy root. It is their job to save teeth not destroy them.
I have had major toothache and it has to be the worse experienced pain anyone has to go through, someone told me to use 'Bonjela' even though its really for gums, it worked a treat applied it to the teeth area where the pain was coming from.
There are times when I would like to be a God.Then I would ensure that every doctor,dentist,nurse or any other practioner of medicine was an empathic that suffered the same pain each and every one of their patients were suffering.That way they wouldn't ever laugh or make mock of anyone in pain. :(
Incog.
There are times when I would like to be a God.Then I would ensure that every doctor,dentist,nurse or any other practioner of medicine was an empathic that suffered the same pain each and every one of their patients were suffering.That way they wouldn't ever laugh or make mock of anyone in pain. :(
Incog.
As long as you don't mean this doc Incog. :D ;)
There are times when I would like to be a God.Then I would ensure that every doctor,dentist,nurse or any other practioner of medicine was an empathic that suffered the same pain each and every one of their patients were suffering.That way they wouldn't ever laugh or make mock of anyone in pain. :(
Incog.
Yup, the stories I have been told! :rolleyes: :(
Flubflow
11-01-2004, 00:53
Well, NHS direct called back after 2 hours, told me that I'd already overdosed on paracetemol (2 every 4 hours *sigh*) so best thing to do is try and sleep.
I've tried the doctor, I had an appointment with him on Monday, he laughed me out the office telling me i "have an irrational fear of dentists, don't be stupid, just go, they're all nice, you're just being silly" and to add to that, they won't prescribe anything for toothache, they're not qualified :rolleyes:
Emergency dentists are really not an option, I was in such a state on Friday that the dentist said he'd have had trouble treating me - I can't "pull myself together" enough to see them - besides, they're open 9-11:30 tomorrow morning and I can't get there :/
I feel like such a bloody wimp, I think I'm just fed up and exhausted of dealing with it after 2 weeks :/
Oh, as for A&E? I called them (same place as the emergency dentist & I can't get there easily). They won't do anything for dental pain either apparently, apart from recommend the emergency dentist *sigh*
Thanks for the help though - will definitely find a chemist or something to try co-codamol (the tablets I was on about in the first post aren't co-codamol at all, I lied ;))
What I find alarming is that our health service is more than ready to treat a drunk who got himself into a bit of fight but not someone who is suffering from dental pain. You have my complete sympathies.
If your doctor really acted as bad as you said he did then he is incompetant. Dental phobia/anxiety is very real and he should know that because it is one of the most common phobias in the world. Next time ask him to write what he said in your medical notes so you can report the f`kin idiot to the BMA.
Often one bad experience especially as a child can mentally scar a person for life.
In the meantime, please be careful with your pain killers dosage m8.
( I've just realised that my avatar is rather apt in this thread :D )
DrAwesome
11-01-2004, 01:20
You (dare i suggest it) could always take viagra your mind will be distracted (i think you will forget all about your tooth ache)
Have you tried iodine?
Flubflow
11-01-2004, 01:57
You (dare i suggest it) could always take viagra your mind will be distracted (i think you will forget all about your tooth ache)
Have you tried iodine?
Why iodine? The iodine in a first aid kit is an antiseptic to kill bacteria in wounds and not for oral use. In that concentation it is toxic. It combines with proteins (and kills them) so it would probably make you very sick. I've never heard of it ever being used as a treatment for dental pain and no matter how desperate the sufferer is I would recommend that they do NOT start putting iodine into their gob.
fireman328
11-01-2004, 02:27
On your next meeting with any doctor/dentist If you casually drop into the conversation "of course I would like to attend as a private patient if I could find someone who treat me with compassion" You will soon find the sawbones buzzing around you like flies at a cesspit.
It's a shame but this is where the principles of a National Health Service, free for all people has been sold down the river by the people who work in it.
DrAwesome
11-01-2004, 02:30
atomic iodine (Atomidine) with Essence of Peppermint or Tincture of Iodine that is non-poisonous in its reaction can be for oral use its primary use is for pyorrhea or Riggs' disease you can use it to massage the gums.
If i remember i read about it on a web site on tooth decay and gum disease.
What is root canal ? Is that just when they remove the dead nerves from a tooth ?
Flubflow
11-01-2004, 02:49
atomic iodine (Atomidine) with Essence of Peppermint or Tincture of Iodine that is non-poisonous in its reaction can be for oral use its primary use is for pyorrhea or Riggs' disease you can use it to massage the gums.
If i remember i read about it on a web site on tooth decay and gum disease.
Ya learn something every day. ;).
The word "atomic" sounds worrying ;) I wonder if it makes your gums glow in the dark. :D
Still, I think it is a good idea to distinguish that from the usual bottles of iodine which most people will more likely have in their first aid box for wound dressing.
Just to add, I don't think anyone likes the dentist, unless they have perfect teeth and all they ever need is a nice polish. I've never had such a fear of them that I've had a panic attack but I can sypathase with feeling that way and anyone telling you that dentists are nice and it won't be as bad as you think are wasting their breath.
An idea could be to get some medication that would help with your stress and allow you to have the strength to visit the dentist for the treatment. The most terrible pain I've ever had was toothache and it was only last year, was basically the nerve had died inside my tooth and had become infected inside it. I couldn't touch it without yelping in agony. I tried all the tablets, bongela, alcohol, brushing, everything, sadly nothing helped. I eventually made an appointment with my dentist and he x rayed it. Saw the infection. This totally amazed me. He said, since the nerve has died we don't need to give you anasthetic. Now, I couldn't even touch this tooth without being in terrible pain. He drilled it with his drill and it wasn't even sore. When he scooped out the infected stuff it was just so amazing, the pain just went away. I really don't like going especially when you know you need work but I tell you that was one of the best things I've experienced to get rid of that pain.
Flubflow
11-01-2004, 02:57
What is root canal ? Is that just when they remove the dead nerves from a tooth ?
nicked from the web......
Root Canal (Endodontics)
What is a Root Canal?
In the center of your tooth there is an artery, vein, and nerve. When an infection occurs, the artery, vein and nerve must be removed, and the canal sterilized, filled, and sealed
This is a procedure by which the nerve inside the tooth and its canals are removed after an anesthetic has been given. The tooth is then disinfected, dried and filled up with a non reactive sealant. Root canal treatment is done when there is an infection inside the tooth caused by decay or trauma. A root canal can also be done as a necessity before restoring a broken tooth, for cases of gum disease and in some cases of cosmetic surgery.
Why do I need root canal therapy?
Because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, the infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate, and the tooth may fall-out. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly, resulting in a bad bite. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you have the choice, it's always best to keep your original teeth.
Flubflow
11-01-2004, 03:24
Just to add, I don't think anyone likes the dentist, unless they have perfect teeth and all they ever need is a nice polish. I've never had such a fear of them that I've had a panic attack but I can sypathase with feeling that way and anyone telling you that dentists are nice and it won't be as bad as you think are wasting their breath.
An idea could be to get some medication that would help with your stress and allow you to have the strength to visit the dentist for the treatment. The most terrible pain I've ever had was toothache and it was only last year, was basically the nerve had died inside my tooth and had become infected inside it. I couldn't touch it without yelping in agony. I tried all the tablets, bongela, alcohol, brushing, everything, sadly nothing helped. I eventually made an appointment with my dentist and he x rayed it. Saw the infection. This totally amazed me. He said, since the nerve has died we don't need to give you anasthetic. Now, I couldn't even touch this tooth without being in terrible pain. He drilled it with his drill and it wasn't even sore. When he scooped out the infected stuff it was just so amazing, the pain just went away. I really don't like going especially when you know you need work but I tell you that was one of the best things I've experienced to get rid of that pain.
With dental anxiety/phobias it is not usually anything to do with the actual dentist. It is the dentistry that is the main problem. Some dentists don't help matters and you feel like you are on a production line. If you find a really good dentist and a nice one then stick to him/her like glue. Some people, after moving house, will still travel a lot of miles miles to keep their nice dentist. Unfortunately some people HAVE to travel a lot of miles just to find any dentist that will have them.
Incidentaly, I once knew a guy who always used to ask the dentist not to bother with the novocaine whenever he was having fillings. I asked him why and he said, "I like to feel the drill. Ya know, like its really doing something". Sicko. I nearly punched him. What chance do us weedies have at the dentist when there are nutcases like that about. ;).
Also, anyone worried about what the dentist might think if they have let themselves go because of dental anxiety should not worry. Dentists have seen it all. Once you are on a treatment program with a reasonably nice dentist then you will wonder what all the fuss was about before.
I have had major toothache and it has to be the worse experienced pain anyone has to go through, someone told me to use 'Bonjela' even though its really for gums, it worked a treat applied it to the teeth area where the pain was coming from.
i can vouch for 'bonjela' even though i have not used it for teeth, it might help the problem of the pain.
*has never been to the dentist since he was 5 :eek:
yes i dont like them either :)
nicked from the web......
Root Canal (Endodontics)
What is a Root Canal?
In the center of your tooth there is an artery, vein, and nerve. When an infection occurs, the artery, vein and nerve must be removed, and the canal sterilized, filled, and sealed
This is a procedure by which the nerve inside the tooth and its canals are removed after an anesthetic has been given. The tooth is then disinfected, dried and filled up with a non reactive sealant. Root canal treatment is done when there is an infection inside the tooth caused by decay or trauma. A root canal can also be done as a necessity before restoring a broken tooth, for cases of gum disease and in some cases of cosmetic surgery.
Why do I need root canal therapy?
Because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, the infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate, and the tooth may fall-out. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly, resulting in a bad bite. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you have the choice, it's always best to keep your original teeth.
ill pretend that i did not just read that.
*runs away and sweats prefusely
I worked with a woman who chose not to have novacaine even when she had root canal.
My old dentist used to have a patient who traveled to america on business alot.
He'd arrive straight from the airport, get on the chair and fall asleep until the work was finished!
Oh, as for A&E? I called them (same place as the emergency dentist & I can't get there easily). They won't do anything for dental pain either apparently, apart from recommend the emergency dentist *sigh*
Ah now .. never call A&E first, just turn up there and make out you're about to die from the pain, I guarantee they won't turn you away.
I'm not entirely sure why I panicked, but I damn well wish I'd had the treatment ;)
The dentist I saw was a really nice guy, I have no problems with him at all. However, all this "find a nice dentist and stick with him" is no help I'm afraid. As much as I would like to, no dentists will accept new NHS patients in the area.
Thanks for all the suggestions though - I have to wait until tomorrow and push this referral through - keep your fingers crossed for me ;)
Oh, and I'm unsure as to what Viagra does for women, but my husband wasn't willing to try it for me :rofl:
Well you can do wat I did ,tell them to just pull it out :D
I found a dentist who listens to me,after 10 years,and he is great
Hope you get it sorted,the pain is worse than childbirth :rofl: just so you ladies know what its like
Heh yeah .. get it yanked .. it's a lot less painful than a root canal, so long as it's not an obvious tooth that'll make you look like a hillbilly.
Heh yeah .. get it yanked .. it's a lot less painful than a root canal, so long as it's not an obvious tooth that'll make you look like a hillbilly.
also you will have money left to get drunk for a week,wat a way to forget :rofl: :beer: :rofl:
Theodoric
11-01-2004, 13:34
atomic iodine (Atomidine) with Essence of Peppermint or Tincture of Iodine that is non-poisonous in its reaction can be for oral use its primary use is for pyorrhea or Riggs' disease you can use it to massage the gums.
If i remember i read about it on a web site on tooth decay and gum disease.
Pardon me for sounding a bit sceptical, but atomic iodine does not exist under everyday conditions; it is molecular iodine, I2. A bit of quick googling throws up the claim that "atomic iodine" or Atomidine is iodine trichloride. Curioser and curioser. If you dissolve iodine trichloride in water it will be hydrolised to give, amngst aother things, iodine monochloride, ICl, which I'd guess would be an antiseptic similar to iodine. Offhand, I can't see any particular benefits for its use as a treatment for toothache.
Flubflow
11-01-2004, 18:37
I'm not entirely sure why I panicked, but I damn well wish I'd had the treatment ;)
The dentist I saw was a really nice guy, I have no problems with him at all. However, all this "find a nice dentist and stick with him" is no help I'm afraid. As much as I would like to, no dentists will accept new NHS patients in the area.
Thanks for all the suggestions though - I have to wait until tomorrow and push this referral through - keep your fingers crossed for me ;)
Oh, and I'm unsure as to what Viagra does for women, but my husband wasn't willing to try it for me :rofl:
Check out www.denplan.co.uk
I've seen leaflets for this at local dentists. The monthly cost varies but even if the state of your teeth and gums are a bit naff then, according to thier guide, that would still only cost around £16 - £20 per month.
Fill out the forms on the patients link and it will instantly give you an idea of what it will cost and all the benefits plus a list of dentists in your post code area who use Denplan. I'm going to have another look at ths kind of thing in detail at some stage because, for the sake of getting preferential treatment as a private patient, is seems like it would cost very little in comparison to being on the NHS (unless you are on the dole of course, in which case NHS is all totally free).
A few years ago I paid a good few hundred quid over a period of months for some treatment and that was on the NHS!. If I'd been on one of these plans then I would have probably been no worse off but had quicker treatment and more choices where applicable.
Round by me there is an Emergency Dental Clinic run at a local hospital. I too don't like dentists ... I have long roots, and can be difficult to remove.
I go only when I have to. However, the dentist at the emergency clinic was really good and listened to what I had to say, and what had happened previously and I was suitably impressed.
I still don't like visiting Dentists, and still only go when I have to, but the preference is to go to this Emergency Dental Clinic.
Check out www.denplan.co.uk
I've seen leaflets for this at local dentists. The monthly cost varies but even if the state of your teeth and gums are a bit naff then, according to thier guide, that would still only cost around £16 - £20 per month.
Funnily enough, I saw the leaflets at the dentist for this, but the denplan site was down at the time - I think I'll give the dentist a call :) (having just done the find-a-dentist search, the dentist registered is the one I saw)
Thanks - I called the hospital this morning and I can expect a 3-4 week wait for treatment there :rolleyes:
I have long roots
I though you were a bit long in the root :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Theodoric
12-01-2004, 14:14
I though you were a bit long in the root :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Would that be the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth? :)
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