Toothache

[SarahJane]

I have been waiting to go in to hospital to have some teeth taken out. Fortunately they are at the back. I am going to have to have a general anesthetic as they need to shave part of my jaw bone away to.
I have been waiting for 19 weeks to have this procedure done and at the moment I am suffering with horrendous bouts of toothache and constant abscesses. I have a constant supply of abx and painkillers for if it gets really bad but I was wondering if any of you know of any herbal remedy I could take alongside the conventional. I have been using clove oil, which does help, (it tastes foul!) but it only lasts for a few minutes at a time.

[contadina]

The only thing which worked for me when I had a really bad toothache (needed a tooth removed and the one next to it it had nerve damage) was whiskey. Tastes a lot better than the other options too If you need to operate heavy machinery, you can just rinse the whiskey around the effected teeth as it will help numb them.

[SarahJane]

Thanks for the reply, I have tried that but it didnt make much difference to be honest. I just reeked of whiskey!

[MikeM]

what mrs f did when she had an abscess was to put salt and bicarb or soda and wrap it up in a bit of cotton wool (kinda like a parcel) then put it on the abscess and sort of suck it. It works by drawing out the infection and relieves the pain. Certainly worked for her, and she hasn't had any reoccurances of the abscess.

[SarahJane]

I will def give that a go! I cant believe how much toothache hurts! Thanks.

[StripyPixieSocks]

Oil of Cloves is a natural analgesic and antiseptic and is actually used alot in dentistry however it is toxic in high doses. just dab a bit on some cotton wool or bud and rub onto the sore bit or pack between the cheek and gum for a while.

Hope you get sorted soon, toothache is one of those pins that makes everything seem miserable so you have my deepest sympathies.

[Graye]

Here's another remedy but it's probably as smelly as the whisky. Take a clove of garlic and bruise it slightly. Then hold it against the troublesome tooth. It will sting a little but acts as a bacteria fighter.

Waiting so long is really outrageous though. Is there no way of getting pushed further up the list in view of the pain? Can't your doctor/dentist help with this?

[SarahJane]

I have been back to the dentist and they said they would try and expidite it, I have also been onto the hospital directly , but still I am waiting!
I work for the NHS and I know how busy they are but I was referred to the hospital back in April and after the initial consultation all I have done is wait.
I cant think of many pains worse than toothache, sometimes I dont know what to do with myself! When it is really bad I just have to take really strong painkillers, which make me feel spaced out. I have also noticed that the pain gets even worse when you lie flat, so I end up trying to sleep propped up.

[Ellendra]

I have been waiting for 19 weeks to have this procedure done

19 weeks!!! YOWZA!

Sorry, on another group I just had to put up with a 3 page rant on how everything would be perfect if only the US had a nationalized health care system like the "ideal" one that Great Britain has. I think the wait for my last dental surgery was 2 weeks.

I'm going to stop before I get too far into political territory.

[Rod in Japan]

It used to be really good. I get very angry hearing about the things my parents in the UK have to go through now, often ending up with a glaring misdiagnosis. I'll stop there too.

Whenever I have toothache, I usually floss until I bleed and tears come to my eyes, then I do a vigorous mouthwash with warm salty water, really driving the salt into the place that hurts. Vile as the water tastes, it's actually very soothing and saves me having to go to the dentist.

It sounds like you're in a much worse state than mine gets in, but it may be comforting to try the salt water anyway.

[Graye]

Toothache is a horrible pain. I hope they manage to push you up the list a little. Presumably it would only be an overnight stay so you would hardly be taking up huge amounts of their time. Don't be too complacent and don't be put off with excuses about them being too busy. Are they aware that you are actually in pain and so it isn't just an operation that can be put off until they can fit you in? I'm sure the poor staff are busy but their "powers that be" should address that, not make people wait in pain for nearly 6 months. Didn't I read somewhere that people in the UK can now find hospitals with shorter waiting lists for themselves? Is that an option for you?

[Annpan]

I am pretty sure that everyone who needs to have wisdom teeth removed is in dire pain - though yours sounds worse than I remember (you didn't say if it was wisdom teeth but I guess it is)

Have you tried teething gel? I have used that in the past, the strongest stuff you can get - I think the active ingredient is clove oil anyway, but it lasts longer that a few minutes. I don't know what pain killers you are taking but I would suggest ibuprofen as it reduces swellings too, so will actually reduce the pressure rather than just stop pain messages.

I had my 'wizzies' removed 3 years ago, they took some of my jaw bone too - though not intentionally, I am told it happens quite often. I chose to just have local aesthetic. be prepared to have a few weeks more on the painkillers while you heal too.

Aside from that a few whiskys sounds like a very good idea.

[SarahJane]

Here in the UK there is a system called "choose and book" where you can choose which hospital you go to. I originally went to one fairly close by but because I will be gaving a G A and because of my present medication, they wouldnt do the operation there and I am now going to be hoing to one further away. So in this case the choose and book system doesnt apply. I do know for a fact though, that with any procedure there is the 18 week rule, whereby you should have been seen and the procedure done within 18 weeks. I am just going into my 20th week. I have tried the hospital again today but the answerphone was on. I am going to try again in a minute and when I so get through I am going to demand an appointment!
Thanks for the tips before... at the moment I am on Kapake, I was on another one of those stupid drugs that are only available on line and are no doubt well dodgy, this but had a horrible reaction to it. I am on metronidazole antibiotics and constantly using adult strength anbusol, clove oil and high strength bonjela. What a concoction! I am also having to use temazapam to get any sleep at all.
I do have to have my bottom wisdom teeth out but also some others at the back as well as some of the jaw bone.

[SarahJane]

Well I got on the phone yesterday and refused to get off it until they gave me an appointment. So I have my appointment now, unfortunately I have to wait until December 3rd!!

[Annpan]

Unbelievable Still at least you HAVE an appointment now.

One thought, you could try to get a cancellation, there might be a way you can phone up on a Monday morning and find out if there are any cancellations for that week. (my old GP used to allow this on a day by day basis, and there almost always was)