Severe achey jaw :( Plz help

[KeenanParker]

Hey! I'm so glad I came across this forum!

I got a bunch of work done just over a week ago, which was long overdue. I had my permanent bonded retainer removed, three large fillings very low on the gumline, and two crowned canines. This was all done on my lower front teeth.

Since then I've been experiencing a very achey jaw pain running along from where I got the nerve block all the way along to my crowns. The pain gets really bad at night and after I eat anything. The teeth feel okay, I don't feel any sharp pains. Maybe a little sensitivity to hot and cold. But this aching jaw is just making me so grumpy the past couple days, and it's new years tmr and my dentist is gone!

I really hate putting painkillers in my body but I finally just took some and it's such a relief from the pain. I'm just wondering if I should wait a little while, It was a really big operation and all. My lips are still healing from it. Or should I call another dentist tmr?

 

[Gordon]

Don't be so reluctant on the drugs front, paracetamol and the like are very effective anti-inflammatory drugs, they will help to settle an inflamed jaw joint down much more quickly than not taking them.
An ice pack or warm pack held just in front of your ear can help too. Sounds like your jaw joint is grumbling a bit from having your mouth stuck open for ages getting all the dental work done.

 

[KeenanParker]

Thanks for the replies guys!
Wow, I guess I was assuming the worst. I finally forced myself to get my work done and I was worried i got an infection or something. I left a msg for my dentist so he'll probly get back to me soon.

Two questions.
Can I use a regular mouth guard?
And are those anti-inflammatories available over the counter?

Thanks again and HAPPY NEW YEARS!