Toothache and can't see dentist?

Question

I've had a toothache all day in a tooth that I got a filling in about a month ago. It's not a REALLY bad toothache, but it's pretty sore, but unfortunately I'm 250 miles away from my dentist right now.

The tooth got a fairly big filling in it about a month ago and it was sore for a week or so after but then settled down and has been fine until today.

What's likely to be wrong with the tooth? Did the dentist not get all the decay out or something? Will I need a root canal now? What should I do now since I'm so far away from my dentist?

Answer 1

Things to ease the pain....

Clove oil, at the chemist the actual name is Tooth tincture, and you get little cotton buds to apply it. Sticks and tastes a bit minging but its not too bad and takes the pain away.

Teething gel....i found this works better than bonjela. Doesnt last very long (20 minutes at the most) but it does take the pain away.

Co-codamol. The stuff that you can get over the counter isnt as good as the prescribed stuff, but takes the edge off the pain (dont over do it)
If you go to a walk in centre, they should be able to give you some stronger ones. But a side effect that i found was a tight chest (like bad indegestion) whenever i lied down

Warm towel/hottie bottie.....If you havnt got a hot water bottle, wet a small towel or flannel in the microwave till its hot (hot-hot!) and wrap it in a plastic bag. And just press it against your face.

If it is something to do with the filling/decay etc then you will need a dentist, but if you can get to a doctors or walk in centre, they'll have a look. If its an abcess they can get you some anti-biotics.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

The people who say you need antibiotics because of an infection are incorrect. You have what is called irreversible pulpitis. Here's the deal.

If you get hurt anywhere else on your body (a cut on your arm or leg for example) it turns red, swells up a little then goes away. With a large filling the decay is usually close to the nerve or pulp. The bur the dentist is cutting which generates heat. When it's cutting close to the nerve, that heat can damage the nerve. It becomes inflamed and tries to swell. It has nowhere to go because the area inside the tooth is like a little pressure pot. It just feels like a constant pounding on that side that can radiate to your ear, your temple, and even other teeth. This happens anwhere between immediately after the filling is done to a week, month, or even a year later. Left untreated the pulp will swell to the point where it cuts off it's own blood supply. The pulp then dies and can subsequently become infected. That's when antibiotics become involved. Then you start seeing swelling. If there's no swelling, you won't need antibiotics to feel better.

Anyway, back to the important stuff. What to do? I don't know if I'd demand an extraction. That's like demanding the doctor cut off your toe due to an ingrown tonail. It's a little radical unless he looks at it and says "this tooth's gotta go." A dentist in your area can see you and help you out.
The cost will be a factor even if you go to your old dentist. He's done everything correctly and the tooth has dictated the treatment it needs. So don't hope for a discount from that aspect. The best root canal treatment is offered by a dental specialist called an endodontist. They do nothing but root canals and specialize on completing them painlessly. An endodontist is more expensive but like everything in life you get what you pay for. A dentist is capable of doing root canals as well, they just don't do them all day every day like the endodontists.

Know that after you get a root canal you will need a crown down the road. I would do it within 6 month. The reason being is that teeth become brittle after getting a root canal. The crown (or cap) covers the tooth and prevents it from breaking down the road. A broken tooth will likely need to be extracted. That means your money was wasted.

Go see a dentist where you're at. Get either pain meds to tide you over until you see your own dentist, or get treatment and feel better. Just make sure you follow up with the crown down the road.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Toothache and can't see dentist?
I've had a toothache all day in a tooth that I got a filling in about a month ago. It's not a REALLY bad toothache, but it's pretty sore, but unfortunately I'm 250 miles away from my dentist right now.

The tooth got a fairly big filling in it about a month ago and it was sore for...

Answer 4

I doubt that your dentist left decay there. More than likely the cavity got too large & has started to kill the tooth. This is not at all the dentists fault. Call your dentist, set up a time to have an x-ray & exam done. They'll do a series of tests to see if the tooth is dying. If you're in that much pain, call & see if they can put you on an antibiotic. Good Luck

Answer 5

If's its a dental emergency, you could go to the nearest dentist - any dentist, and ask for an extraction. You may be prepared to pay for private, but should be nor more than say £60 (in UK).

The other viable alternative is a root canal which is much expensive. If the dentist press for a root canal (maybe to make more money) stand your ground and ask for an extraction. The vast majority of dentists will respect your choice in this situation.

Hope it works out. I have experienced similar.

Answer 6

I had the same thing and left it for a few days, now my tooth's completely f***ed up. Go to your nearest emergency hospital and get antibiotics, cause if the filling is quite big it might have irritated the nerve, thus can cause the abscess. U don't want that, so go to any dentist ASAP!!! If your tooth hurts - that means something is wrong. Don't wait.

Answer 7

It sounds as if you have developed an apical abscess which may require antibiotics and subsequent endodontic treatment. In the meantime try ibuprofen if you are not allergic to aspirin and not asthmatic. This will help with the pain. Unless you have a cavity in the tooth Oil of Cloves etc. may not be beneficial. Best to take this with food. You will need to get to your dentist fairly quickly before any swelling developes.

Answer 8

This sounds exactly like wat i had to go through! Just like you, i had a large cavity that needed filling and so when i got it filled, i thought it would be the end to my problems.... not! Within a couple of weeks, the tooth once again began to give me problems...aching like crazy! I was around 7 hours away from my regular dentist and i just beared the pain. But when i got home and visited the dentist, he told me i needed the root canal! He prescribed me with penicillan and pain killers until the operation....i havent gotten the operation done but gargling with salt water reallly, really helps! it even stops the pain for days...

Answer 9

I may be missing the point - why don't you just go to another dentist? Your local hospital may have an emergency dentist or just find one in the phone book. Toothache can be a symptom of some really serious issues - get it seen to rather than pretending it will go away by itself.

Answer 10

It may just be the sensitivity of the tooth reacting to something hot or cold that you are eating, or it could be a hairline crack in the tooth, which is allowing hot or cold (or sweet) foods to irritate the nerve. Whatever it is, I would go see my dentist (or ANY dentist!) as soon as possible. In the meantime, you could try taking Extra Strength Tylenol or Aleve for the pain, and try to avoid extreme temperature foods.