I broke a tooth two weeks ago, which I have had fixed by a new dentist.

[smirkymonkey]

Now I am suddenly plagued by horrible dental pain in my right back molars, which radiates to my ear and head. I have never had any dental problems in my entire adult life and suddenly it seems as though I have a serious dental emergency on my hands, but not sure. The pain just gets worse every day. I am using Ibuprofen to dull the pain.

Am I being paranoid or did that dentist do somthing to cause another visit? FYI, he did mention a root canal at the time, which I refused and just went with the less expensive front tooth cap.

My BIL is also a dentist, however he is on a ski vaction in Montana, so I don't want to bother them there, but I will ask him when they get back on the 22nd. I kind of want to get a family opinion, yet I also feel like I need relief sooner than that so I am not sure what tot do.

I just think it's strange that I was free of dental problems for 35 years and now suddenly there is kind of a disaster in my mouth with no prior warning. It was that sudden. I know that nobody here is probably a doctor or dentist (I don't think) , but just curious as to your opinion.

Not expecting professional medical advice. Just looking for the benefit of your experience and wondering if I should go to a dentist right away or if I can wait until I am done with work on Friday.

[SkeezerRedux]

1. Sounds like an abscessed tooth.

You need to get that taken care of as it can allow infection into the blood stream and possible serious heart problems.

Speaking from personal experience not professional advice.

Good luck.

P.S. - You'll need about a two week regimen of pennicilin to clear up the infection before any further dental work, if so. Get started now.

[smirkymonkey]

10. Yes, that it what it was.

Thank you! Back from the dentist, and you are absolutely correct! Appreciate your feedback!

[Laffy Kat]

30. I read somewhere that pain from an abscess can be as severe as that from a broken leg.

Did the dentist give you any pain meds?

[smirkymonkey]

31. Yes, as someone who has broken a bone, I can attest to that.

They offered me meds, but I am allergic to opiates so I declined. So for now, it's just Advil, which helps a bit, but I have to go back for a root canal since there are more serious problems that need to be fixed. They are closed on fridays and over the holiday weekend, so the earliest appointment I could get was on tuesday. I will just have to put up with it for a few days.

[safeinOhio]

2. Get it checked out right away.

Do you have any fever, if so go to the ER. Last Nov. I went to the ER with a fever and it was sepsis, a blood infection, and that was a life or death situation.

Many years ago, I had a wisdom tooth removed. Later that week I was out of town when it started to hurt. It was impacted. Saw a local dentist and he took his scalpel and stabbed it. Even though that hurt, the release of pressure from the infection felt like heaven as it released the pressure.

[smirkymonkey]

11. Thank you, safeinOhio!

I did get it checked out and it was an abcess. I got a prescription for an antibiotic, although I am still in a bit of pain. I can't take any opiates since I am allergic, so I am just using ibuprophen at this point.

Thank you so much for your kind concern! Very much appreciated!

[Uben]

3. Sounds like abscessed tooth

Only thing that's going to make it quit hurting is anti-biotics. Takes about 24 hrs for them to start relieving pain, so get ASAP!

[smirkymonkey]

12. You are absolutely correct!

That is what it was. Not pleasant at all. I really should have taken better care of my teeth over the last few years, but I have nobody to blame but myself. I did get a course of antibiotics and will faithfully take them. I am not that much of a fool.

Thanks, Uben! Appreciate your input and concern! Heart for you!

[Rhiannon12866]

4. Could it possibly be TMJ rather than a dental issue?

A few years back I ended up with TMJ after having lengthy dental work - had my mouth propped open so long that it cramped up at the time. It was extremely painful, made it tough to eat or sleep, couldn't even relax and lie down.

My doctor prescribed some painkillers, not the ideal solution, but I couldn't sleep. But after a few days it fortunately went away in its own. I couldn't have stood it much longer. And the weird thing was, whenever I mentioned it to anyone else that I'd had it, they invariably answered "Oh I've had that!" So it sounds like it's pretty common.

I'm not saying that's what you have, just something to consider. I really hope you feel better soon, I'd get back to your dentist. I've been there and dental pain is the worst!

[LiberalLoner]

7. +1. I hope you feel better soon!

[smirkymonkey]

13. Hi Rhiannon!

It turned out to be an abscess, and I am taking antibiotics for them now, however I am still in pain since the rest of my teeth hurt and I need a root canal which I am scheduled for on Tuesday. Could not be a worse possible time, work-wise. I really shuold have taken better care of my teeth. Thank you so much for your kind concern

It has been very foolish of me and I am paying for it now. I honestly believe that it was partly because of the past four years of grinding my teeth due to Trump, since I have always had very good, strong teeth. I believe he has taken a toll on my health in more ways than one. It's not entirely his fault, but he has definitely contributed.

[Rhiannon12866]

25. Oh, I am so sorry!

I've had an abscessed tooth myself more than once and it's got to be just about the worst pain I've experienced. But the antibiotic - when I got one - really did help. I imagine it's different for everyone, but I've also had a root canal and there's no comparison, an abscess is just the worst.

And I ended up having an extraction, there was no saving the tooth - plus I can tell you exactly when it was, Election Day 2016. I had no choice, there was no saving the tooth. So I ended up voting on my way home and I can't imagine what they thought of me since my face was still so numb that I had trouble saying my name!

I'm wishing you a more positive experience than I had, but at least you're addressing it now. I also procrastinated and I paid for it. But take my word for it, it does get better. Hang in there!

[smirkymonkey]

26. Thank you, dear Rhiannon!

So kind of you to share your experience. You are right, it is absolutely the worst pain in the world! d I to go in for a root canal on Tuesday. They offered tomorrow, since they are closed Friday, but i just have too much work to do beteen now and then. :

[Rhiannon12866]

27. Well, Geez! Please take care of yourself!

I've been there and what I experienced is something I never want to go through again!

[yellowdogintexas]

33. TMJ was my guess. However ,having experienced both

I can tell you the infected tooth in need of a root canal is more painful

[North Shore Chicago]

5. Tooth pain is the worst!

Depending on your insurance, ER sounds like what may need to happen. You don't mess around with possible infection.

[smirkymonkey]

14. Thanks, North Shore!

You are right! It is right up there with appendicitis! Luckily, I have some insurance, but it's not very good. This will end up costing me quite a bit out of pocket by the end.

[bamagal62]

6. I had a new cap once right before moving

from one city to the next. I had horrible pain all along my jaw. I went to several dentists and then an oral surgeon. The first dentist said I needed a root canal. Which I was suspect about since the dentist who replaced the cap had said my root was fine. The oral surgeon confirmed that my tooth was fine. He sent me to another dentist who said the cap was not set properly and was too high for my natural bite. Some filing down of the new cap solved the problem. No pain after that. Maybe your new cap was not set properly? Many times teeth can have referred pain and the location of the pain might actually be from a problem somewhere else.

[smirkymonkey]

17. Thanks, bamagal.

I had a tooth abscess, but I still have jaw pain and I am wondering what is going on since I have never had any issues before the cap was set. It just seems kind of funny to me that this should all be happening right after my first visit to this dentist when I have never had any problems in my life. Appreciate your input!

[Chainfire]

8. It happened to me with a botched root canal

A week or so later it got badly infected. The dentist had left one of three roots untreated. I am a pretty tough guy, my wife claims that if I cut off my arm with a chain saw, I would wrap a rag around the stump and keep working. The pain from that made me cry out loud. And of course, it always strikes on a weekend.....

I suspect you have an infection going on too. It needs immediate treatment. (medical advice from a plumber)

[smirkymonkey]

18. Ugh! How awful! It sounds so painful!

I do appreciate your medical advice, since I believe people who have experience with such things. I really wish that this was not going on right now, as I have too much to do at work and can't really afford to take the time off. But it has to be dealt with. Thanks so much for your advice, Chainfire! Very much appreciated!

[Totally Tunsie]

9. Hugs, smirky.

I'm afraid that's all I have to offer other than sincere wishes your pain subsides soon. (Don't wish to lead you astray with poor advice.) Hope you find relief!

[smirkymonkey]

19. Hey Tunsie!

Good to see you and thank you for the good wishes! Had an abscess which was resolved, but I need to have a root canal according to the dentist which I am not looking forward to. I postponed until Tuesday since I have too much work to do, but not looking forward to it. Hope you are doing well!

[Totally Tunsie]

28. So glad to hear you're doing better for the moment...

but - oh! - a root canal! You will definitely be in my thoughts next week. I know some people sail right through them (I'm not one.), but not my favorite procedure, so I don't envy you. Please update and let us know how you are. Good wishes indeed...

[smirkymonkey]

29. Thanks for your good wishes, Tunsie!

I am still in a bit of pain, but so happy to be over this nightmare of an audit at work. I am almost looking forward to the root canal! Will keep you posted and I am sure it won't be so bad. All the pain will be financial!

[Hotler]

15. 2-Acetaminophen + 1-Ibuprofen at the same time, every 6-hours.

Be well.

[smirkymonkey]

20. Thank you Hotler!

I have found that Ibuprofen has been very effective. Unfortunately, I don't have any acetaminophen in my apt. right now, but I am also taking buffered aspiren which helps.

[Coventina]

16. You might have a sprained jaw. Seriously, dental work can sprain your jaw muscles.

I thought I was having a dental emergency, but it turned out to be a sprained jaw.

In my case, it was from grinding my teeth at night, but a specialist said that keeping your mouth open for dental work can cause it as well.

Whatever it happens to be, get it checked out ASAP!

[smirkymonkey]

21. You know, Coventina, that is an interesting thought.

I am wondering if because I have been silent for so long, and haven't spoken very much to anyone that it could be something like that? I had an abscess today, but I still have pain and have to go back in on Tuesday afternoon so I will mention that. Thank you for the suggestion! Best to you!

[Skittles]

22. I have never been, er, "offered" a root canal

it was always, like, YOU NEED THIS

[smirkymonkey]

23. It was a matter of finances.

My insurance wouldn't pay and they wouldn't offer me a payment plan. I had to wait to see if my parents would float me the money, while I would then pay back with my tax return. I simply did not have the money up front.

[Skittles]

24. ah OK

wow that is awful

I do think you should call the dentist regarding your pain if you cannot wait for your BIL