Lidocaine 5% m/m ointment safe on tooth pain?

[Wach]

I have posted on this page in the past - again I can't remember my log in details to I set up a new account again.

I've been terrified for years over the prospect of going to the dentist, and never got round to it - rather putting up with pain of abscesses etc. because I've never ever looked after my teeth, and I don't think anyone could comprehend it and a dentist would just moan at me - me rather put up with the pain than the humiliation of someone looking in my mouth.

I have finally tonight sent an e-mail to a local-ish dentist, explaining my situation, that I have never looked after my teeth, cleaning my teeth makes me feel uneasy, I hate anything minty, and that I think I need cognitive behavioural therapy but my GP didn't seem to care, that I understand what is happening to my teeth and I'm desperate for help, basically begging for help - since my boyfriend turned to me today and said "I'm annoyed with you taking tablets to stop the pain, when the simple solution is going to the dentist" and he offered to pay as well. If I take one tooth at a time then the bills hopefully won't mount up too much... (I'm in the UK, and terrified of NHS so going private... HOPEFULLY)

I am currently in pain, I've been dropping tablets - not as much as I usually would... since I found some lidocaine ointment I was prescribed a few years ago for a virginal problem (we won't go into it... purely eczema) I've been putting this on the tiny little stumps of tooth that I have left where I have the pain, is this safe? Am I poisoning myself by doing this? because to be honest it's helping the pain more than anything else ever has! Also I'm suffering from earache from it too - is this normal? - or is this a particularly bad toothache? I'm so scared of the pain.

Also in this e-mail I sent to the dentist I didn't mention that I was currently in pain - but pain in the tooth means emergency and they will fit me in ASAP doesn't it?

I'm not scared of going to the dentist, talking to one, the drill or the chair - I'm purely scared of the state of my teeth ignorance is bliss but I know it's not going to help....


has anyone else got any other advice for me how to get sleep and relax in the mean time - I slept for about 3 hours last night - and tomorrow is supposed to be my first day back in education after about 7 years out - I need to be alert!

Sorry this post is a bit all over the place, I'm sure you're all bright enough people to understand it, piece the bits together and answer the questions that I want to know.


Thanks in advance!

 

[Tink]

Hello Wach -

Gosh, that's a lot for you to cope with! Just for starters, you're very brave and doing really well to be doing something about it

A few things in you're post I want to respond to, hope you don't mind, I've picked those bits out and rearranged them a bit:

I don't think anyone could comprehend it and a dentist would just moan at me - me rather put up with the pain than the humiliation of someone looking in my mouth.

I'm not scared of going to the dentist, talking to one, the drill or the chair - I'm purely scared of the state of my teeth ignorance is bliss but I know it's not going to help....

First off, these days there are lots of dentists around who will not judge you at all for the state of your teeth. If you can find one who is good with nervous patients and sympathetic (try having a look at the recommendations on here for your area if you're stuck) then they will be able to help you through this part. And believe me, they will have seen a lot of people with teeth in all sorts of states - it's not their job to judge you or moan at you, it's their job to help you. And once you're over that first hurdle, things should get easier.

I have finally tonight sent an e-mail to a local-ish dentist, explaining my situation, that I have never looked after my teeth, cleaning my teeth makes me feel uneasy, I hate anything minty, and that I think I need cognitive behavioural therapy but my GP didn't seem to care, that I understand what is happening to my teeth and I'm desperate for help, basically begging for help

Also in this e-mail I sent to the dentist I didn't mention that I was currently in pain - but pain in the tooth means emergency and they will fit me in ASAP doesn't it?

Well done for emailing the dentist! This was exactly the right thing to do, it really helps them to know what the problems are and what you are worried about, that way they have a much better chance of being able to help you. Plus you can judge how well the dentist responds to get a sense of whether they're likely to be the right one for you before you even have to get brave enough to go and see them.

Re the pain, yes, if you're in pain they usually do try and fit you in quickly. If that's what you want, then it might be a good idea to send a follow up message letting them know this.

I found some lidocaine ointment I was prescribed a few years ago for a virginal problem (we won't go into it... purely eczema) I've been putting this on the tiny little stumps of tooth that I have left where I have the pain, is this safe? Am I poisoning myself by doing this? because to be honest it's helping the pain more than anything else ever has!

OK, it's very important to note at this point that I am not a doctor or a dentist so this is not to be taken as reliable medical advice. I'm just a patient.

This is Lidocaine 5% m/m ointment isn't it? I have some of that here, I've just had a look at the patient information leaflet. The good news is that according to the leaflet this ointment can is used for numbing the gums for dentistry, so it's unlikely that you are immediately poisoning yourself by doing this.

What I would say quite strongly though, is that putting it on your teeth is not what it is intended for, and it is a very bad idea to use prescription medications (or any medications!) for anything other than their intended purpose as prescribed by a doctor or dentist. There's a lot that they know that we don't, that's what they're there for. The other thing to be aware of is that the leaflet specifically states that the ointment is not sterile, so there may be a possible risk of introducing bacteria/infection to your teeth by doing this.

I would strongly recommend that you stop using it this way, and seek professional help for the pain. You've already taken the first step by contacting a dentist, you're doing really well and we're all right behind you cheering you on.

I hope that helps! Will be thinking of you


Tink

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi,

When reading your thread it appears that the major issue that first should be attened is the avoiding behavior.
Contacting the dentist through email was a very good step in the direction of coping behavior and it is just one step. There are many steps you can take in this "coping direction", for example making a dental appointment,, takling with the dentist in person on the phone, showing up to the appointment, getting a check-up, having a conversation with the dentist ets...
Easier said than done, of course . There are many strategies to shift from avoidance to coping behavior. For example, asking your boyfriend to escort you to a dental appointmnet. He does not have to do anything, just to be present, be there with you and this way support you.

I would like to add one more thing: talking about the dental anxiety can be also another way of avoidance behavior. How come? When we talk about a cetain goal we want to achieve, talking about it can create a certain positive feeling, a sense of satifaction because it triggers the place in our mind that hopes and inspires to achieve what we want. The problem is that this feeling of satisfaction lessens our motivation to actually do something about our goal. So please be careful: what you do counts and talking much about it can lessen your motivation of doing, of acting.
Sometimes it is good to talk about the fears: if you feel too much anxiety and you need to ventilate, or if you want to understand your feelings better and through the process of talking you learn something new. Non-productive talking is just rumintating and repeating the themes associated with the fear.

 

[Steve In Cleveland]

Hi Wach,

Tink gave you some great information and advice, and I completely agree.

I'll add a couple of thoughts from my own experience, that might help you work up the courage to get to the dentist and get yourself out of pain.

Like you, I had teeth that were in horrible shape-- broken and painful and literally falling apart when I ate. I hadn't brushed or flossed or gone to the dentist in nearly two decades. So I was certain that as soon as they saw my mouth, they'd want to pull every last tooth out. I just couldn't imagine receiving that news, although I so longed for something or someone who would just help me stop the downward slide.

One day, a toothache proved too painful even for painkillers to keep at bay. So I called a dentist who had good recommendations, and told the receptionist I was in pain and needed help. She told me to come in in half an hour, and their office was twenty minutes away. So, like, NOW. I was terrified, but I knew I needed to do something.

You can read more about my visit in my journal, but the short version is that the dentist and her whole staff were completely friendly and gentle with me. Nobody asked any embarrassing questions, nobody shamed me or told me I had horrible teeth. I actually told the dentist, "There's some really nasty stuff in there," but the dentist just smiled and said, "Let's just get you out of pain today." She got me numb and explained everything she was doing. She didn't mention any of the other teeth, and she didn't even seem all that concerned or interested in them. She and her assistant worked for about an hour, which was COMPLETELY painless, and told me to go home and get some sleep. I asked her about my other teeth, but she said we'd talk about that at another visit when I felt better.

The relief was amazing! Even after the anesthetic wore off, my tooth felt great-- no pain, no sensitivity. And although I was still scared of the long-term news, I felt like I had someone on my side who would help me. I did go back later, and got x-rays, and we made a plan, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Today we're almost done fixing my teeth, and they look and feel much better. I never would have believed last year that I'd be brushing and flossing and eating like a normal person, but I am now.

I obviously can't diagnose your current problem or your long term plan, but I can tell you this: a dentist can get you out of pain quickly, probably without any pain at all during the procedure, and he can do it without having to even talk about your other teeth at all. Teeth are pretty independent beings-- you can fix one without really worrying about the one next door, no matter what shape they're in.

As Tink said, the dentist won't shame you or scold you-- dentists these days are very aware of anxiety, and are much more interested in helping you get better than they are in yelling at you or making you feel bad.

The most important thing I can tell you is, you can go to the dentist to get out of pain without having to even talk about your other issues. As I mention in my post, at 9am I was in horrible pain and felt like I was walking into my death by going to the dentist. By 11am I was at home, feeling great, and had a new sense of hope.

I hope that you can work with your boyfriend to find a good dentist, tell them you're in pain, and get yourself some help soon. The amount of pain you have has nothing to do with how bad the tooth is-- sometimes a very simple problem can cause a huge amount of pain. In any case, once they get you numb you won't feel anything-- not the pain you have now, and not any other pain from the procedure. Once you get rid of that pain you'll feel much better and calmer, and hopefully the good experience will give you some more confidence to go back and talk about a longer plan that you can start on.

Hugs for you, it gets better:

 

[Wach]

I did it! I think I posted on here about 4 years ago, sort of looking for support to try and convince myself to get the dentist, and have tried two or three other times but with no luck - I even had to leave a job I had at sea before they "medically retired" me at 25 because of the state of my teeth.

I can't believe that I actually went in, I phoned the surgery up yesterday morning, explaining a little bit. I was a nervous wreck on the phone. I has college, and my boyfriend had work so I asked for an afternoon appointment, I think they squeezed me in at 15:30, I felt a combination of dreaful fear and excitement because I was taking the next step in what I think could actually change my life forever. The dentist had read my e-mails and was extremely understanding. I explained I was just so nervous because of the neglect and the humiliation - I have no fear of needles, or anything related to it.

He has said to me I need 4 extractions, and another one possible extraction - but they're all (except one) molars so won't be noticed - he said about the canine that in the future I might want to put something in the gap - but he said to me - "you've learnt to not smile, so I don't think it will be a problem" To be honest I expected the 3 molars to be taken out, I had hoped the canine could be saved but I can't see why he would tell me it needs to come out if it didn't.
He also said I need a few fillings, but I'm taking it one step at a time - I'm having the extractions first, he offered me hypnotherapy, he did say that CBT would have been a good idea - but GPs don't get enough funding so that's why my GP probably don't care.

I have a huge nasty infection, I have been put on 500mg amoxicillin, he told me the pain would start to subside after about 24 hours. It has taken about 12 hours - I'm still in a bit of pain, but nowhere near as bad as I was.

One thing I will say though is that my gum has swollen up more over night, is this normal when you start a dose of antibiotics.

This dentist I swear is like a god send to me - and I'm so looking forward to going back for my next appointment on Friday to have it ripped out, and just having my teeth finally sorted. He said to me yesterday "I can tell that you want to sort this all out, some people come in and they don't care, but you do" I think he hit the nail on the head - I just couldn't see a way out of it before.

I urge anyone that has any fear of going to a dentist, the worst part is booking the appointment (it was for me), and possibly getting through the door. I'm so glad I did it - even though I'm going to be absolutely skint - you can't put a price on your health.

 

[Tink]

Well done Wach, that's fantastic news!

 

[Steve In Cleveland]

Great news, Wach, well done!!!! That takes a huge amount of courage to do what you did-- give yourself a huge pat on the back.

Your dentist sounds wonderful. It's hard to understand, from within the fog of phobia, that the dentist is there to *help* you get better, not to stand in your way. That means that in addition to physically working on your teeth, a good dentist will also help encourage you, comfort you, and advise you on how to get there. The decisions and control are still in your hands-- you can decide whether, how, and when to proceed. But the feelings you describe are exactly what you should get from a good dentist. None of us *want* bad teeth, we just need extra help and guidance (and empathy) to get back on track.

I'm so happy to hear the joy and relief in your words. Remember that your body is still fighting an infection, and your mind is still coping with anxiety and change and grief, so be gentle with yourself between now and the next appointment. I give you permission to cry, dance, sleep, freak, worry, smile, panic, and be needy in extra doses for a while.

Looking forward to hearing your progress as you go-- and you're a HUGE inspiration to a lot of people here who are still struggling to work up the courage to make that call. Thank you for that.

(I'm not sure about your swelling gum, but as long as the pain is under control, I'd just let the antibiotics take their course and wait to get that nasty infected tooth out of your life for good. One bit of practical advice: Amoxicillin has a common side effect of mild diarrhea, but in some people like me, it can cause very watery diarrhea to the point where you can't hold any fluids in at all. I didn't feel sick, just constant trips to the loo. If you develop that, don't mess around-- stop taking the amox right away and call the doctor. It reverses quickly if you stop taking doses, but if you continue it can be dangerous. Hopefully you don't have that, it's not fun.)

 

[Dr. Daniel]

wonderful. this is great news.

 

[Wach]

I will 100% keep you updated on my story, I hope very much that it will be a success.

I have one last question, I have no fear of having the tooth extracted on Friday I know that I'll be numb for it - I was happy to turn down being sedated but will I feel pain after it's been pulled out? and will the pain be as bad as the abscess? I've been quite lucky in my life, (no nasty illnesses, no broken bones) I have had a damaged potentially torn muscle but I have to say tooth abscess is probably the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. I really don't want to get over the pain for it all to come flooding back. I do know that when the tooth is out it won't be a problem again - but toothache is the worst!

 

[Steve In Cleveland]

I can only speak from my own experience, with two teeth I had pulled on two separate occasions, and had no pain after either, just a little soreness in the area from the procedure, and a headache from all the anxiety. A couple of ibuprofin kept it all at bay pretty nicely. You can expect a little bleeding for a few hours after the procedure; most of it subsides within a half hour or so-- you'll be given some gauze pads to bite down on.

I was really worked up with anxiety before the extractions, but really they were so easy and quick, it was no big deal at all. I went home, took a long nap, and felt pretty much normal after that.

Check out the FAQ here for advice on after-care. The big things are, no smoking, spitting, or drinking through a straw the first 24 hours at least. I stocked up on pudding and applesauce and ate only that for two days, then went back to normal food gradually after that.

All the images you have in your head, of people holding big icebags to their faces and having giant bandages wrapped around their heads, is nothing like reality. The extraction process is very gentle-- they don't tug and pull, so there's no trauma to the gums or jaw-- so really there's no reason to expect any pain at all, during or after.

 

[Wach]

Thank you, like I said I have no fear of the procedure and the worst of it done for me - opening my mouth and letting someone look.
I remember when I had my seafarers medical when the doctor looked in my mouth I was shaking and had tears rolling down my cheeks - I was nowhere near this bad with this dentist - he mentioned that I looked a little nervous when he was telling me about the treatment. But in my mind I didn't feel it, and in my mind I've got over the hump (the hardest part).

I'm scared a little of the pain after, but I've been promised that the dentist won't cause me any harm. I just don't want to hurt like this ever again

I suppose there's real way out of it, I need it doing to prevent the pain from coming back again and again and again, so two/three days more pain will save me weeks and weeks of pain in the future.

I'm so proud of myself for doing this. I honestly thought it would be a problem I would have to live with for life.

Also, I'm in the UK I've heard about this applesauce from websites, but I haven't a clue what is it is? care to enlighten me? Apple sauce to me is the mashed up apples that we put with pork.

 

[Wach]

I know that this doesn't really fit in with the subject title anymore - however as explained I had an abscess, was put on antibiotics and have since had the tooth removed by the dentist.
I have had an ear ache since the tooth started playing up - I put this down to it all being connected, now my tooth is giving me very little problems - I am however still suffering from quite bad ear ache, is it likely to be the tooth still or is it something I should see my GP about? I understand the huge majority of you are not medically trained - but I have real issues visiting my GP as well, I'm always made to feel like I'm wasting their time it feels awful. If it's tooth related I know my doctor won't care, but is my dentist going to know if it is tooth related, I don't know what to do.

As many of you know - earache is second to toothache on the pain scale I can tolerate earache but, there's only such much tolerating I want to do.

 

[coolin]

I think you probably know what you have to do .... I think it would be best to visit your GP as well. It's not up us to diagnose ourselves - it's up to the dentist and the GP. You have earache, therefore you are entitled to see your GP about this. You will not be wasting their time.
Cheers
Coolin

 

[Tink]

What coolin said! You wouldn't be wasting your GP's time, please go and see them if you can.

As much as we'd like to be able to advise you, as you have said, most people on here are not qualified to diagnose or give medical advice. Even if we were medically qualified, we still wouldn't really be able to as a doctor would need to see you to carry out a proper examination.

We're right behind you to offer support whenever you need it though

 

[Wach]

I had my second (out of three) extraction yesterday
it was a left over baby tooth, my top "canine" although the injection hurt a little with this tooth, I've had absolutely no pain what so ever from this tooth which was a nice surprise after the last one (I had to take pain killers, and the cheek was swollen).

I had a bit of bowel movement before going in but I am well on my way to getting over my phobia, although the next tooth is pulled - then I have to visit the hygienist - I fear opening my mouth for someone else...

I urge anyone with a phobia please go and speak to your dentist, or find a dentist that specialises in nervous patients, I genuinely feel like this dentist has saved my life. I realise now, they're there to help and to earn a living - not to judge. The truth is where ever you work, if something isn't perfect, you're not going to care if you're getting paid to fix it.