Tooth ache, taking amoxicillin for two days but pain is getting worse

Hi there-I am in the process of recovering from what has been a horrendous 5 days (and nights) of pain from an infected tooth. I was taking so many painkillers that my hubby called NHS24 as well as our local GP pharmacy to make sure I wouldn't overdose. I am now taking amoxicillan which has finally taken effect. In my despair, I gargled with gengigel hyaluronan and had a kooln sooth cooling pack constantly on my face. I was told by the dental surgery that it would take 48 hours for the antibiotics to kick in and I was alternating between taking co-codamol (1000mg), paracetamol (1000mg) and thinking this pain would go on forever...now I feel (and was)sick and feeling worn out but I'm out the other side now...hope you feel better very soon...xxx

(I know this question is old but for those finding it in a Google search:  Unfortunately infection medication may take a few days to start to work.  The most immediate concern seems to be pain relief until you can get to your dentist.  Have you tried different pain killer combinations?  For example, I have found that 800 mg of Ibuprofen seems to help with most dental pain I have (and I have some bad teeth as well).  Acetaminophen DOES NOT really help my dental pain, I'm not sure why.  Others I have talked to swear by Naproxen and take that.  And others find relief using an Excedrin type pain pills which contain acetominophen, aspirin AND caffeine.  Believe it or not, studies have shown that caffeine has some pain killing properties.  As far as the 800 mg of ibuprofen, if you can't get a doctor or dentist to prescribe those tablets, just buy an over-the-counter 200 mg tablets or ibuprofen (in the U.S.) and take 4 every 6 to 8 hours. (Be aware that the maximum daily dose of ibuprofen for adults is 3,200 mg - 800 mg x 4 times).  It's possible that you could get pain relief by using ibuprofen combined with one of the others such as the Excedrin (or generic equivalent) and something like Oragel or a similiar oral ointment containing benzocaine.  Extra-strength Oragel (or generic equvalent) contains 20% benzocaine and is the maximum strength allowed over-the-counter in the U.S.  Apart from all that, I would try to sleep as much as possible as not only will you not feel the pain while sleeping, but your body can best effectively fight any infections while you are asleep and it can muster all your bodies resources to fight the infection in concert with the infection pills you are taking.  Good luck.

Again, I know this is quite an old thread, but I am now in a similar situation. I had a cracked tooth which was badly infected underneath and a few days of toothache, tried to take painkillers and carry on till a dental appt. then had to make an emergency appt as it got too bad. At the appt despite being given more and more anaesthetic, when the dentist drilled the tooth it was still really painful - she said - I given you everything I've got - anaesthetic wise - and we agreed it wasnt a good idea carrying on - and maybe I needed sedation. She gave me a prescription for antibiotics, and they worked, and I had the tooth drilled and root canal treated a couple of weeks later, without any pain.  

I'm not sure why she started trying to drill it before I'd taken antibiotics - seems pretty counterproductive in retrospect and bound to fail.

Unfotunately the tooth next door to it has now flared up, - she said I did have a crack and need it filled as well. Now its obviously infected and hurts like hell, so I'm starting taking the antibiotics already - dose of 1000 mg of amoxicillan this morning, and another dose of the same later today. Will carry on for a few days, with painkillers as well.

My dental appt is in 3 days - hopefully the amoxicillan will have worked by then.

I'm using salt water and TCP rinse as well.  Its definitely quite effective if you want to lose weight. The thought of eating makes me feel ill!  The odd cup of tea is about all.

Ouch, - just need to go and take my painkillers! Havent taken any yet today.....

Sarah, I was reading about your abcess. I have been in Dentistry for over 20 yrs. I took care of my teeth being a Dental hygenist.. This W.G. is not fun, it's a diease that keeps on giving..(STINKS) Sarah as being in Dentistry I can tell you as long as you have pain meds

and the most important antibiotics.. Keep taking them until gone..Do not stop taking them if you do it WILL come back worse that before..good luck Coe

I was just telling Carl, I to an suffering with dental issues myself. Do you happen to have a bubble in the top of your mouth?? I got an abscess in the roof of my mouth and it was the worse pain I ever had. They prescribed me Augmentin which is Amoxx, and galvanic. After 36 hours I started feeling much better. I looked up every single home remedy and nothing worked. I did find mild relief from washing my mouth out with room temperature salt water every couple hours. I also used Motrin 800 mg at a time ( no more than 3 a day) if you don't have the 800mg available take 4 200mg, or how ever they are given where you live. I always try to get the feel tabs as they work so much faster. Feel better love.I feel your pain. I've been off antibiotics since last Monday it's now Saturday and the bump on the roof of my mouth is still there almost gone and not painful at all. Thank goodness!!!! Best wishes. Tammy

I am presently experiencing major dental issues as well.  Lower right side of mouth has multiple erupted teeth and I am i the midst of a major infection.  Taking two antibiotics, Amox-Clav 875MG tablets twice a day and Metronidazole 500MG tablets twice a day.  Have an appointment tomorrow with my pain specialist to be seen and get a refill on my Hydrocodone/Acetimenophen 10-325 tablets for pain.  The most effective thing I have found for a home remedy for the pain, funny enough, is pure vanilla extract.  I put some on a cotton ball and place the cotton ball over the affected areas, this has provided me with good pain relief.  Been on the antibiotics for a couple of days, I am showing improvement, area not nearly as sore and tender to touch, pressure has reduced significantly, pain level has decreased both in intensity and how often it appears.  Have been able to lay down and sleep rather peacefully since last night.  Hope this helps someone.

Urgh the dreaded tooth infection! I'm currently experiencing one myself, the last 5 days have been AGONY, literally pulling my hair out. I've started taking Amoxicillin (1500 mg a day, 3x 500mg) along with two Co-Codimol each time, and the pain has finally started to subside today!

Also, if you can get hold of Naproxen, take those, I was prescribed them when I broke my hand, they work wonders!

Make sure you visit your dentist at least every 6 months, mine is £18 a check up, well worth it!

Sara i know is awful, this is what i do for pain, i take white vinager and. P ut it in your teeth or tooth, take a good zip and hold i t as long as u can, is going to burn but i assure u your pain is going to feel 80-90 % better, i know it will. Gracias ood luck

I had the same experience, the pain was unbearable. The only thing that worked was sipping cool (NOT ice cold) water and holding it in my mouth against the infected area. It would take away the pain for about 30 seconds or so, until the water got to body temperature. It got so bad though where I was sipping water every 10 seconds and it was barely working.  If I waited just a couple of seconds longer I felt like I would pass out the pain got so bad. 

I too was waiting for the antibiotics to kick in and it was on a friday night.. I was scared I wouldn't make it to Monday if the antibiotics didn't start working soon.  Thankfully it did start working this morning. (It took a little less than 48 hours to start working). I am thanking God for answering my prayers. My teeth are all bad as well. It seemed to happen overnight. I had great teeth until I reached my late 40s. I think my changing hormones had something to do with it. Honestly, now I can't wait to have them all pulled. I don't want to ever go through that again.

Hey even my name is Sara I have the Samwe problem I'm just 17 and all my teeth are infected like all I have so many teeth removed and recently this upper 2 teeth in front of wisdom are so painful n one of them is so infected no medicines are working and haven't sleep in a week doctors appt is on Sunday he said eat pills because of the infection and I am dying of this :"(

God guys I’m seriously contemplating tooth extraction myself. Started with slight pain lower left side last week by Saturday the whole left side of my mouth had me thinking they’d all gone bad, the culprit however is a front capped tooth I’ve had since the 80s. Been back and too throughout the last year or so with different dentists telling me ways I can save the tooth! Pfffft I’m done take it out!!!!! I’m in severe pain taking flux 500mg 4 times a day with a mixture of ibuprofen and codine or paracetamol nothings working I’m 2 days into the antibiotics and the pain is still bad. My whole left side of my face is one big painful aching mess I hate tooth ache, abscesses etc they are worse than child birth. I need a miracle right now or a head like worzel gummage (uk thing)