Tooth infection - agonizing pain any advice please

Posted , 62 users are following.

Like so many here my infection started as a niggling pain in my bottom lefentist t molar. I am due to have a root canal on this tooth in 2 weeks time but the next day the little niggle had exploded into unctrollable head cutting off agonizing pain, i tried relieving the pain just using paracetomol but that didnt touch it i then consumed half a bottle of whiskey which got me pissed but didnt take the pain away. I managed to get into the dentist the next day, the bus journey there was the most miserable thing I have ever endured. I saw the dentist who said I had an infection and she would prescibe antibiotics which i was thankful for but what i really wanted was for the excruciating pain to go away. The dentist was irish and I could barely understand her, she then said she could give me an injection to ease the pain so i agreed, she then injected me right at the end of my gum in the hard bit which hurt like hell but it took the pain away THANK GOD! she then told me to wait in the waiting room and she would call me in 5 mins to take another look. I went back in and she sat me in the chair then all I saw was a blur of activity and she was actually drilling into my tooth which I had no idea she was about to do. The dentist put a temporary filling in after cleaning out some of the infection, she then prescribed me erythromycin and metronidazole and tole me to take ibuprofen for the pain. To cut a long and painful story short it is now 3 days since i started on the antibiotics and I am still in ridiculous agony, should it be this long before they kick in, I am sure I am overdosing on ibuprofen and why is my mouth and ear and jaw still hurting like hell, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

5 likes, 104 replies

104 Replies

Prev Next
  • Posted

    So I've got pain in my wisdom tooth. Like whole way down my face from my ear to my throat throbbing stabbing pain that I've never felt anything like before. Went to dentist been given amoxicillin, told to do salt water and corsadyl rinses. Also been put on a waiting list to have it out but that can apparently take 4 months!

    Been on ibuprofen and paracetamol since the pain started and it's still showing no signs of stopping anyone know how many days of antibiotics before they kick in is? Or when I should contact my dentist again?

    • Posted

      Your dentist should squeeze you in to have it removed promptly!

      Noone should be in that much pain for so long.

      You can also try going to the Emergency Room at least take a look at it.

  • Posted

    I literally made an account on here to respond to this. DUDE THE PAIN IS INSANE AND NOTHING WORKS EXCEPT 1 THING.

    1. your doctor was an idiot but prob didn't know it was infected.

    2. A dental abscess is not in the tooth it's underneath the infection causes a swelling that's basically slowly pulling your already infected sore tooth out

    YOU NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND HAVE IT CUT OPEN.

    in mine they put a tube in there for 2 days it just drained all the fluid out...it's flipping discussing and you may puke. but the pain will be gone.

    • Posted

      they have to cut the gums not drill the tooth**
  • Posted

    this thread is giving me a bit of hope after over a week of agony. Last Wed I had an extraction, the tooth could not be saved and it's at the bottom and not noticable when I smile. The tooth crumbled when they were extracting it and the earliest 'emegency' appt I could get with the specialist to remove the roots was Saturday as they did not bother to check their emails Thursday and refused to see me without paperwork and were closed Friday. So 2 days of agony with paracetomol and nurofen plus making little difference, then roots removed. Was told to expect pain for up to a week. did everything I was told, salt water rinses after 24 hours. Agony continued, sometimes in tears, been prescribed dihydrocodeine and taking that and mega dose (800) nurofen, little effect. Cheek feels numb plus when I walk and put my left foot down (side the tooth was on) it shoots through me when painkillers have worn off. Back to dentists Wed. She dressed it with clove oil, and that gave me a few hours relief, and gave me antibiotics. Back to dentist today and told I have 'severe' infection and nothing they do until antibiotics kick in. I've bought clove oil and been applying it to the teeth either side, the only thing that seems to relieve it. Dr says best not to have trramadol as I'm on sertraline, also said I should not be taking ibuprofen!!! S-d that!!! My partner thinks I'm exaggerating, we've had a few rows. If I'm no better after the weekend I have to go back to the dentist. We're supposed to be going on holiday on Thurs, hope this pain gets sorted and my man and I are still speaking. (he's out tonight so I can cry and moan with pain to my hearts content, lol. Honestly it's the worst pain ever. Anyone going through this do try clove oil.

  • Posted

    Glad to see I'm. Not the only one , well not glad just not alone , I'm in the worst pain imaginable , I got attacked a few years ago and they kicked my face , the middle tooth is infected and abscess has formed I'd rate my pain 20/10 just unbearable it put me in hospital due to panic attack , I now went to the dentist I got amoxicillin and sent home I'm praying it gets better soon I'm struggling to cope with the pain , I don't think draining is an option from home as the tooth in question already had a root canal in it

  • Posted

    Hi. I have a simular situation. My top right back tooth started with a tingly sensation. Then over night i was in the worst pain i have ever felt so went to the dentist and they have given me amtibiotics. They cant do treatment until the meds have finished. Something to really the pain is orajel. I tell ya what it is amazing you cant get it in boots or pharmacy. I hope you get it sorted .

    Jen

  • Posted

    Hello all. I am at that point NOW!!! I visited the dentist's office on Thursday, and she stated that my WHOLE right upper torso and head are infected. My infection went downward, that's why no abcess was present... My eyeballs HURTTTT... The top right side of my head feels as though a rocket's about to be launched... My shoulder and chest are in need of replacement because I don't want this type pain EVER again... For those of you who are suffering, I know your PAIN... I truly do... The antibiotic, Amox 500 mg 3 times per day helps, but it's taking quite a while to have full effect.. The lethargy, tiredness, Sinusitis-yes, it wreaked HAVOC with my Sinuses-, and cold sweats are still present; but not as prevalent... And the phlegm is llessening- which was so frequent I had to sit up to sleep because it almost strangled me... All in all, if you don't feel right physically and mentally-yes the infection will cause confusion and delirium- get to a doctor immediately!!!... Take care all of you... Feel better...

  • Posted

    I'm so sorry for everyone dealing with this pain.

    I too am going through this agony and it is pure hell.

    I was prescribed penicillin today and pain killers.

    This is the worst pain.

    I found holding very cold water helped eased it but then due to the pain non stop I drank way too much water and now have been dry heaving!!!!

    Ugh this is a complete nightmare.

  • Posted

    i started the antibiotics for one full day now. 2 different types they gave me. i just cant stand the pain and i have had 60mg of codeine and still really hurts. i wanna ask them to lance it. the next appt i have is on thurs with a dental surgeon just for a consultation. i want it out but i cant make any appt sooner and im still on antibiotics.
  • Posted

    this is total agony all i want is that this tooth may be taken away from...😂😂

  • Posted

    I know your question was a long time ago but this is for others in the same predicament. I have recently had two abscesses one after another. The pain was terrible. I used a whole range of things to try and help reduce pain.  Clove oil painted directly onto the affected tooth should help. I got to a point though where it no longer did anything. 

    I also used activated charcoal. I made a paste from a charcoal powder I had purchased to whiten teeth. I made a paste with it by adding water or at other times coconut oil. This helped for a while too.

    The night before dental surgery I was up by 2am with the pain and running out of ideas. I made a concoction lol or a blend of essential oils (suitable for consumption) using lemon, peppermint and frankincense. I practically poured this over the infected area. I had a horrible taste in my mouth for ages after (but I didn't care) the pain went away!!!!

    The pain was still gone when I went to the dentist!! 

    Clove oil is the best and then the other oils. Other than that get to a dentist quick smart!!! It's so painful it's cruel to make people wait to get in to the dentist. 

    Thinking of all you suffering out there! 😘

  • Posted

    To all the fellow abscess tooth sufferers I'm in the same boat and I'm on antibiotics and I have pain in my left side if my face jaw and limph nodes .. one thing I have found supper affective is tylonal 3s with codeine there very addictive though so use cautiously .. besides all my issues .. helpful list of things that actually work .. tylonal 3s.. salt water ti keep it clean from more infection and two weeks worth of antibiotics I'm in penicillin .. hope this helps PS when all said and done with antibiotics get the sucker ripped out !

  • Posted

    I have flown with a severe toothache and it hasn't made it worse. But one of my friend(Dr. Pranjali Wamburkar) suggests me two or three days of antibiotics you'll be feeling a lot better anyway and it's really helpful for me, If you want you can contact with her their profile has registered at meddna.

  • Posted

    I'm going to preface this by saying I am in the US, but when I had this pain I went to urgent care (I couldn't afford the dentist due to having no dental insurance and it was a weekend) and I had not only a dental access and what probably needs a root canal but a sinus infection... The doctor was incredibly nice have me info on low income dentists and have me STRONG antibiotics but saw that I was in pain and prescribed me painkillers. Before hand I tried everything else listed here and was in SO much pain still and was also afraid I was gonna overdose. I am still on my antibiotics but it's been over a week and from this I have learned that got showers with high water pressure directed at the area help as does phinagrin due to knocking you out, and that loratab takes most of the pain away...but that could be difficult to get your hands on, I just lucked out with my doc. I am now out of pain meds so I am in a fair but of pain but luckily it is not as bad! Hope everyone gets relief!

    • Posted

      Sorry about typos I am on my phone and it's autocorrect is annoying😤

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.