Extraction pain, infection fear, OOH dread

[ruru]

To start with, I never know how to tell if pain is bad, or of I should say something so I often don't. It turns out that one of my molars (lower right seven, next to my evil wisdom tooth) became infected after the old filling cracked. I had four fillings in the space of a month, plus antibiotics (despite a fear of medication) and was hoping to keep the tooth but the dentist said it was best to have it taken out. It was cheaper, so I agreed.

But now I'm terrified I made the wrong decision. The infection was still there, and part of the root snapped off. I don't know how to tell if I need to contact the dentist. I don't know if this pain is normal.

The tooth was taken out on Monday afternoon. It's now early hours Wednesday morning, and I've woken up after just two hours of sleep. Pain and worry are keeping me awake. I can only take paracetamol (as Calpol) so I don't want to take any right now in case the pain gets worse later. I'm already pretty close to the most it says you can take in 48 hours. I'm very conscious of that maybe infected bit of root still in there.

I don't want to be a bother and annoy the dentist (or anyone) but I'm also terrified of out if hours. It's only me and my partner and he can't drive - nor can I if I need to take diazepam before seeing a dentist. I can't afford a taxi, and buses and trains aren't an option. I'm so upset and scared - I can't tell if the pain is normal, and what if it's not but I ignore it until I end up in trouble over the weekend? What if I'm making a fuss over nothing?

For perspective, the pain is worse than yesterday, and now seems to be going up my jaw and into my ear. It don't think it feels as painful as that evil wisdom tooth was when it grew in (apparently through a nerve), but I'm not sure. I'm also terrified of what will have to be done to fix it if I go back in.

Edit: the pain was too bad for me to put off taking some more Calpol. I've had 1000mg and really hope it kicks in soon.

 

[Judythecat]

I am not a dentist, but if you have a lot of pain, I would ring the dentist and ask for advice - I am sure they would slot you in under the circumstances. They don’t want to have patients in pain! My dentist has an out of hours on-call number, but I don’t know if that’s the same for all surgeries, and they share the cover with a couple of other places.

I would much rather be a bit of a pest and see my own dentist than potentially someone I don’t know in an unfamiliar place.

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi,

It is safe to assume that the broken piece is not the cause of pain you are experiencing. Paracetamol is not suitable for strong pain so I suggest an non steroid anti inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or Advil. It will really improve your quality of life.

 

[MountainMama]

Hi,

It is safe to assume that the broken piece is not the cause of pain you are experiencing. Paracetamol is not suitable for strong pain so I suggest an non steroid anti inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or Advil. It will really improve your quality of life.

Sorry to jump in on this, but what if you can't take NSAIDs? The OP said they could only take paracetamol, so I am guessing they can't. I am the same way...can't take NSAIDs due to getting an ulcer from them last year. Other than the paracetomol/acetaminophen, are there other options that would be good?

 

[MountainMama]

If the pain is getting worse, I would call before the weekend. You don't want to have it get worse on the weekend. I understand not wanting to be a pest...I cringe every time I call the dentist/oral surgeon/endodontist but in the end I am always glad I did, just for the peace of mind.

 

[ruru]

I did end up calling and I was seen - I've been given a course of antibiotics (which is terrifying but an infection in the bone sounds worse, I keep having to remind myself that )

As MountainMama guessed, I can't take NSAIDs. I did ask about other options but he said ibuprofen and paracetamol are best for dental pain, so stick with the paracetamol. It's definitely not as sore as it was this morning, but it's still painful, and I'd love to not exist until the pain and antibiotics are finished. Right now I think I'm at the point where I'm so exhausted that going back on Tuesday can't be that bad but we'll see...

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Sorry to jump in on this, but what if you can't take NSAIDs? The OP said they could only take paracetamol, so I am guessing they can't. I am the same way...can't take NSAIDs due to getting an ulcer from them last year. Other than the paracetomol/acetaminophen, are there other options that would be good?

I researched a bit about OTC painkillers in the US and it seems like there are no other alternatives.

 

[ruru]

It's been about a week and a half I think? If I move too much the ache gets worse, and I'm now really worrying because the clove-soaked gauze is still in there... (It was put in two or so days after the extraction). I was told it should fall out on its own... It's still there...

I'm going to have to have the wisdom tooth taken out too but I can't even think about going through this ordeal again so I'm trying hard not to. The other adjacent tooth aches when my blood is up, and my face is still sore, my ear feels like there's water blocking it up... All things I hoped would go away. The ear thing really sucks, I assumed it was part of the whole tooth problem but now I honestly don't know.

Idk if anyone reading this knows about the gauze thing - if you do could you please let me know if it's something that will come out on its own, or if I need to do something about it? It's been in there eight days...

 

[Gordon]

Trouble is, nobody here has the first clue as to what was put in the socket in the first place, so can't really tell you what should happen to it... the only thing to do is ring the dentist up and ask them. Sorry!