Any dentists in the house? I have a problem...

[minghis]

I had a root filling done about 6 months ago. Now I have really bad pain from the same tooth, so I went back to the dentist.

He had a look and said that it has a crack in it, and that it would probably have to be extracted. He tried to fill part of it but admitted this may not do any good, which it didn't.

He gave me some antibiotics (penicillin) and told me to see how I get on and make an appointment for a few weeks time. I made it quite clear that it really hurt and that I would be more than happy to have it removed as it's been worked on before and it's lasted 47 years..

Anyway that was yesterday and despite taking some quite strong painkillers (Solpadol) and of course the antibiotics this morning the pain's even worse. It is incredibly painful to put any pressure on it, so much so that just eating some soft toast on the other side of my mouth is hard work. There's no way I can eat anything without it hurting a lot, and it hurts without eating anyway.

I call the dentist this morning to say that it's the easter holidays and could anything be done before the holidays as it really hurts despite taking the painkillers. They tell me that until the antibiotics have had chance to work there's nothing they can do, and that they couldn't do an extraction now because the anaesthetic wouldn't work. I asked if they were sure there was an infection as I was under the impression it was just a crack but was told the antibiotics would prevent an infection and help solve one if it was there. They assured me it would settle down and to call after easter but I'm not convinced, all I know is I'm in real bad pain.

Does what they've advised sound right? Any advice on how to kill the pain and allow me to at least eat?

It's a private dentist and I've been with them for years, on Denplan if that helps.

Any thoughts appreciated!

[pomp1]

I'm not a dentist so I can't comment on clinical advice given.

However as MD of a big NHS practice I can say quit the Denplan- you'll save yourself a fortune. Plus on the NHS we have an obligation to see patients and not keep them waiting. Not too sure of the rules if you are a Denplan patient.

[Driller]

Sounds like an infection to me, it's certainly not a classic "tooth ache" as it's been root treated so no more nerve. Antibiotics can take up to 24 hours to work and it sounds like you started them this morning so give it a bit of time.

Rarely the antibiotic needs to be changed because it's not having an effect on the type of bacteria present (the classic alternative to that one would be metronidazole) but again it's too early to tell.

Hope it gets better soon.

[Muzzer79]

pomp1 said:

I'm not a dentist so I can't comment on clinical advice given.

However as MD of a big NHS practice I can say quit the Denplan- you'll save yourself a fortune. Plus on the NHS we have an obligation to see patients and not keep them waiting. Not too sure of the rules if you are a Denplan patient.

Interesting. Can I ask why you say that?

I look at my dental policy and, having needed naff all doing for the last 14 years apart from check-ups and clean/polish, do think it's a lot of money for not much reward....

[minghis]

Driller said:

Sounds like an infection to me, it's certainly not a classic "tooth ache" as it's been root treated so no more nerve. Antibiotics can take up to 24 hours to work and it sounds like you started them this morning so give it a bit of time.

Rarely the antibiotic needs to be changed because it's not having an effect on the type of bacteria present (the classic alternative to that one would be metronidazole) but again it's too early to tell.

Hope it gets better soon.

Interesting. In your experience (assuming tou have something to do with dentistry which it looks like you do) can you suggest a good painkiller? I'm taking solpadol which is 500mg paracetomol and 30mg codeine according to the label but it still hurts. Thanks!

[mat13]

The last time I was suffering from toothache I was advised on here to get some anbesol, you apply it to the tooth like oil of clothes and it temporarily numbs it, I found chewing a cotton wool bud soaked in the stuff was the only thing that really relieved the pain. Mixing codeine, paracetamol and ibruprofen worked up to a point but only really took the edge off.

[NormalWisdom]

Also try clove oil - Sounds like an infection as I am experiencing pretty much the same though fortunately I can still chew on the other side. Give the ABs a little time to work their magic.

[mat13]

Also if your having trouble eating i found the slim fast shakes and angel delight were brilliant for the times when chewing was too painfull.

[minghis]

It appears the dentist was correct about the infection.. after taking the antibiotics for 48hrs the pain and throbbing has subsided to a manageable level.

I just hope that's the end of it and it won't flare up again, however I guess extraction is still on the cards.

[Driller]

Good news! Sounds like it was the right antibiotic then. I can guarantee that at some point your tooth will flare up again and probably worse. If you want to avoid hassle I should have it out.

BTW bit late now but to answer your previous question, I wouldn't have suggested anything stronger than you were taking already for the pain.

To answer your other question and FWIW, I'm a general dentist specialising in implants.