Had dental treatment the last 3/4 weeks...

[Joeb]

Hello people new on here.... basically about 4 weeks ago I went to a dentist to get a check up after not been since 2012 possibly before (can’t remember lol)she decided I need 3 fillings... a week later I ate some chicken and started experiencing bad dull pain on my right side which I thought/think is my jaw. A week later I went to another dentist due to dentist kept cancelling appointment and this dentist is amazing he done the filling on a broken tooth and also a filling above which was on the left side, he then put a temporary filling bottom right on a couple teeth he saw minor decay, and opened a molar tooth on the top right my first molar to kill the nerves then he filled it up.... the pain over the next few days subsided, he suggested I eat on that side to see if I get pain as he thought it should be fine.. soon as I ate on it the pain/dullness returned, a few days later now I am feeling the pain on my molar tooth and surrounded area’s and the bottom right is getting twinges here and there. I’m due to go back Wednesday to get proper fillings placed bottom right and he is talking about route canal on the tooth he opened and filled but I have a big fear about that as I have heard nothing but bad things about route canel.... anyone possibly know what’s going on, I’m an anxious person anyway and it’s really getting to me. Thank you

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Joeb,

Welcome to DFC! First off sorry you are getting the pain and twinges back . But.. glad you seem to find a dentist you like and good to work with! Seems he is really trying to help and has a nice manner about him. If you did need a root canal, and he does it you will be in good hands having someone who cares about you and your questions and concerns.

I know for me anything I haven't done before is scary.. so don't blame you for being anxious about something you've not done before and root canals got a bad rap for many years. I've personally had more than I want to admit to. But can tell you it can be painfree as much as a filling. I just had my last one done with my new dentist back in January and painfree during and after. so a root canal doesn't have to be scary if you are with someone who cares and will help you through your anxiety. What is your biggest anxiety about the root canal?

Come on here as much as you need, there are alot of people who will encourage and help you out! you are in the right place!! Let us know how it goes on Wednesday!

 

[Enarete]

Hi Joeb,

Well done on going again, it sounds like you have managed to get through quite an amount of treatment, that‘s great! You mentioned the dentist opening a molar to kill the nerves and then filling it up. Well, believe it or not, but that is exactly what a root canal treatment is about, or better to say the first part of it. It gets done in stages and the purpose is to remove the dead nerve and to fill the tooth completely so that you can keep it.

You will hear a lot of scary stories about root canals, mostly because in the past it seemed to be a problem for dentists to numb people properly, but that is not the case nowadays. Getting a root canal treatment is not much different to getting a filling, it just takes a bit longer. If you think reading about how it gets done would be of any help, take a look here. Brit, one of our admins had written about her experience with it.

All the best wishes and keep us posted

 

[Joeb]

Thank you for your caring responses people my fear about route canal is everyone I spoke to said it’s a no no haha and that’s about it... I’m constantly thinking if I do anything that will get my blood going will bring pain but I’m sure that isn’t the case, my dentist gave me antibiotics to flush out any possible infection that may be there.... i have been 9 days without smoking the green stuff not sure if I can say it on here which is a factor in why I’m not sleeping well waking up throughout the night but I’m hoping Wednesday will get rid of the pressure I’m feeling in the molar tooth.. also I am smoking a vape to help me get through it and was wondering if that will inflame the area? I will definitely let you guys know how I get on wed day... I also went and saw a doctor last Tuesday to rule out any jaw problems and he said the symptoms I am having are rare for my age so he has put me on a low does of tegretol (one each night) does help me fall asleep tbh it’s just staying asleep is the problem

 

[ruru]

Hey Joeb, well done on going to and finding a dentist you feel you can trust! I agree that hearing the words 'root canal' are scary - my partner had to have one a few years ago and the dentist described the process, which we thought made sense and sounded okay, and than he said that's what a root canal is and we both shared a Look™. For my partner, it went smoothly. He had three appointments from start to finish, felt no pain, and kept the tooth.

Anaesthetics these days are much more effective than they were before, and your dentist will make sure you're nice and numb before starting.

Now, I wanted to have a root canal. I had hoped to save the tooth, but sadly that didn't happen because the infection wouldn't settle down (it is/was bad, I'd ignored the pain and aching for a very long time). I had a fair few (four!) 'clean out' fillings plus a course of antibiotics after the third, and I didn't feel anything during any of them - even the fourth one where I wasn't numb enough for the planned extraction. It's good to hear you've had a course of antibiotics already, that will help a lot.

The hard thing about a root canal is having your mouth open for so long. The thing I actually *liked* about the process was the dental dam - it's a rubber sheet they use to isolate the tooth and make sure it stays clean while they're working inside the tooth. It does smell of rubber, and I'm not sure how it feels for people who breathe through their mouth more than their nose, but it means you don't have any debris or water falling into your mouth. Having headphones on to listen to music helped a lot too.

I can't say anything about vaping as I've not got any experience with that, but hopefully someone else here can enlighten you? I don't think it would inflame the area, but that's an uneducated guess.

I'm sure it will go well for you! That pressure should be gone soon, and when you're numb and your heart races you shouldn't be able to feel anything there at all (I've had a lot of experience with a crazy heart rate while having work done!). Of course, if you feel you're not numb enough, tell your dentist and they'll put you at ease. They'll be happy to explain things to you and answer any questions you have, and if you have any before then I think this forum is a great place to come and ask them.

 

[Joeb]

thank you for that message ruru I’ll have to see how I feel by time it gets to Tuesday night/ Wednesday morning.... the twinges on my bottom right have calmed down since this morning I think that may be because I clench my teeth at night which my dentist said he will make me a night guard after treatment... getting sensitively from the molar tooth which i am talking about so hoping that calms down by Tuesday as Wednesday would mark 2 weeks since having it opened and filled.... will update more when needed

 

[Joeb]

Also would people recommend taking ibuprofen to calm down the twinges , sharp electric shocks I keep getting? Even if it’s mild

 

[Joeb]

Getting sharp dull pain returning on bottom right where I got a temporary filling done next to wisdom tooth.... also sensitivity in my first molar where they have started stage one of root canal, anything I can do to stop it or slow it down until my appointment next week.... I have took a ibuprofen and tegretol 40 minutes ago. Anyone able to help out with some advice? Thank you

 

[Joeb]

Sorry people ... anyone have any clue to know whether it’s my wisdom tooth giving me problems as top right , bottom left and top right wisdom teeth have come through okay but bottom right seems to have abit of gum over it still... as I’m 24 years old I’m not sure if it’s that that is giving me problems.... I have brushed my teeth with prescription fluoride toothpaste 2800pm to be exact, and still getting sharp electric type pain downs there here and there.. I am also laying down aswell , that’s when it appears to happen more. Thanks ahead

 

[ruru]

Hi again!
Given what you're saying, I recommend phoning the out of hours service, or 111 for advice. The dental team on 111/NHS24 have been so helpful to me.

I had a lot of trouble with my wisdom tooth, they can be an issue, but if the tooth next to it is the one you're having work done on it might be pain from that?

To help, the generic advice they give me is:
1. use paracetamol and/or ibuprofen for the pain, but be sure not to exceed the dose stated on the medication (I find soluble works a lot quicker)
2. use an extra pillow to keep you propped up when resting or sleeping (or sleep sitting up but I've not managed that very well myself). When you lie down more blood reaches your head.
3. use a warm salt water rinse to soothe the area.

"To make a saltwater rinse, add ½ a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Swish the rinse around your mouth for ten to twelve seconds, then spit it out"

(I use 1/3 boiled water, 2/3 cold tap in a rush, or let it cool down if I have time), and be sure you spit it out. Warm is good, as the area will very likely be sensitive to hot or cold.

I'm not a healthcare professional though, just someone who has had a bit of contact with them and remembers advice religiously. One of the dental nurses or call handlers on 111 will be able to give more specific info. Be sure to let them know you have an appointment soon - they might want you to go to an out of hours clinic before then, but you don't have to if you can't or don't want to.

All the best!