OT (very): Raging toothache but no dentist

Just a moan into the ether: raging toothache for several days, pain killers makes little difference, no dental treatment available until further notice :-( Apparently it's the same all over the country. Understandable, given the way the virus is spread, but I'm surprised that there isn't a suitable face mask/helmet to allow urgent dental treatment. End of moan, now back to the job list.

Toothache is usually caused by an underlying infection of some sort. Many dentists will not try to treat a toothache until the patient has been on antibiotics for 72 hours. I suggest you phone your dentist or GP and get a prescription for antibiotics. You might find that after a few days you won't need any further treatment if the antibiotic clears up the infection.

my dentist cancelled all checkups and appointments for booked work, but gave the impression that emergency appointments were still available.

Clove oil?

During WW2, my long-late father was the medical officer on a naval supply ship (HMS Athene*). On one voyage, probably in the Indian ocean, he developed a roaring toothache, and tried to find someone onboard who would pull the tooth for him. But nobody would, so he had to pull it himself. I don't know what equipment he had, dental forceps or whatever, but I do know that a bottle of whisky came into it somewhere!

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call your dentist

use the NHS 111 online service if you cannot contact your dentist or you do not have one"

NB Do not, repeat DO NOT, attempt DIY treatent without first setting up camera to record (with sound).

Same here, routine stuff cancelled, emergency treatment still going ahead.

Emergency treatment (in practice, an extraction) should be available after referral to the nearest "dental hub".

AIUI treatment involving drilling has been suspended because of the risk from aerosolisation.

I'm not sure if full-face positive pressure masks permit enough visibility for dentistry work.

And avoid clove oil - it can burn gums irreparably. Warm salt-water rinses may help. Ibuprofen can be better that paracetamol for dental pain.

Owain

Even just regular cleaning using something like Listerine and a toothbrush may help, if it is gum related.

Years ago, in Pakistan, I developed toothache in the middle of trip didn't think a local dentist would be the best idea. A day of extra cleaning sessions (over and about the normal routine) using Listerine and a toothbrush and it cleared up. On returning home, my dentist checked things an all was well. He confirm that often toothache is actually a gum infection, possibly due to a small cut etc.

Another Dave

What Jeff said. It can sometimes be due to ?over-sensitivity? (common as we get older) and the likes of a ?sensitive teeth? toothpaste can help.

There will almost certainly be at least one practice still doing emergency extractions, but no drilling. Antibiotics first are definitely worth trying.

Tim

Has anyone said ?angle grinder? yet? ;-)

Tim

But won?t include drilling, just extractions.

Tim

Get Dentist to throw antibiotic prescription at you. That will solve the pain in short order until you can get it seen to

Surely SDS hammer drill is more in keeping with the condition.

I did that very thing about an hour ago. I'm normally reluctant to take medication unless it's definitely going to be beneficial, but I don't fancy living with this pain for x weeks so I'll give it a go.

I've had more than my fair share of problems with sensitive teeth so always use Sensodyne. In this case the tooth has become pressure-sensitive.

My dentist said they "weren't allowed" to do any work. I'll see how things develop and make a fuss if necessary

Hmm, My dentist said they "weren't allowed" to do any work. I'll see how things develop and make a fuss if necessary

:-)