OMG..this dang toothache has been going on for over a week now. And it's started moving around to other teeth. On top and bottom in the back and all across the whole left side of my mouth. It feels like it is going down to my "glands" I guess it is right below my jaw.

Does anyone have any good remedies? Anything for pain besides the anbesol and orajel? I have been using that stuff and I think it's starting to not be effective anymore.

I know, I should go to the dentist. But honestly I cannot afford it. Really. We don't even have two sticks to rub together right now. So it's grin and bear it for awhile until I can afford to just get all of them pulled and get falsies. Which is what I really need to have done. The pain meds I am on for other health issues cause my teeth to crack/break and I have 4 that are right now, and more that are on their way. I would really appreciate any tips on helping the pain.

Thanks

Just get to a dentist. Most medical offices will let you pay a little at a time over many many months or years if necessary. There is nothing worse than a toothache. And it sounds like you have a doozy if the pain is spreading. There may be an infection there, too that needs medication.

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It does sound like you have an infection that is spreading. It could also lead to an abscess which, in my opinion, hurts even more. You need antibiotics to at least take care of that infection, so that is a visit to the dentist. Once the infection is gone, you can save up for further work.

yea I know I should. I mean, it's really bad when the pain even breaks thru the meds I take for my chronic pain. And they are some pretty strong ones. I mean, I'm not taking them (the breakthrough ones) for the toothache pain, but even so, if they can get thru that, it's pretty bad.

I was going to go when we got our tax refund, but heck, we aren't getting one this yea LOL. Guess I will have to figure something else out. Oh...maybe this is something. I am on SSDI. I wonder if there is anything that Medicare can do? Or maybe there is a program somewhere for low income. Hmm. I think I will get on the phone now and do some checking.

I can relate. I know exactly how your feeling and I'm sorry this is happening to you. I have had a lifetime of bad teeth...sucks! There is something about dental pain that makes it SOOO bad...I'd rather have a baby anyday- LOL!
Ways to help the pain... I always PRAY about everything and it helps me....
I don't know, maybe a warm rag on your cheek -
a heating pad maybe? Tylenol...nothing seems to stop the ache, I know.
I'm not much help, just wanted you to know I've been there.

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Love, J.

Well, I think you really need to see a dentist, but if you're not going to...

If you have cracks in your teeth you could try using a temporary tooth filler.

It sounds like you may be getting an infection, in that case you will have to take antibiotics. An untreated infection could become very serious.

Do you have a dentist you have been to in the past? If you do develop an infection, you could try calling them and explaining the situation on the phone. See if they could call in a script of antibiotics, something inexpensive. Some pharmacies offer free generic antibiotic, and some offer them very cheap, like Walmart's $4 scripts. They may even call you in a pain killer.

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Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

Ok, honesty time here. I haven't been to the dentist in at least 10 years. Well I did go once a few years ago to have 2 teeth pulled. But that was only if I was out..sedated..put under. Otherwise I REFUSE. Unless they carry me in unconscious. I realize they have sedation dentistry now, but I honestly don't think the health clinics or other lower income places will do that. I think they still just do the needle/Novocaine route. I am 46 y/o and I grew up with the old type of dentists. I guess that's why I am terrified about going now.

And thanks for the info and idea about calling and seeing if they will call something in for me. I have a Part D plan and they u susally cover pretty much anything within reason.

Money or no money go to a dentist. You could really have an infection that could spread and will cost you more in the long run.

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Sometimes the elevator often the shaft

Is there a dental school nearby? Perhaps that could help. Please do not put it off we had a child in Maryland die from a bad tooth.

I remember that awful pain! I sooo feel for you. Word of caution, DO NOT put heat on it in case of infection. Only ice. You should be able to find some help if you call the right place.

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I don't want to scare you (well yes, I kinda do)


My son had an abscessed tooth, he was on antibiotics and under the care of a dentist and pediatrician. Even so, within a very short time the infection spread into his upper jaw and into his bloodstream. It turned out to be an antibiotic resistant form of staph. Had he not been under such close medical care at the time, it's likely he would not have survived.

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Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

If going to the dentist really isn't an option, make sure you use a good mouthwash, Listerine or another antiseptic several times a day. Also, if you can't afford to buy a special mouthwash, like a peroyxl, try dabbing a small amount on peroxide on the inflammed areas. If pain meds aren't working try taking a sinus medicine. Many times my when my teeth are feeling extremely sensitive, it's because of my sinuses. If the teeth are sensitive from the pain, try a sensitive tooth treatment. I can't remember who made it, but you use it once a month. It was in my toothpaste aisle.

Call some of your local dentists, ask about payment plans, and let them know up front how much or how little you would be able to pay.....the worst thing they are going to do is tell you no. Like another poster mentioned look around the area for a Dentist school. I hope the pain eases up for you.

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Nicole

Thank you, thank you very much for the great advice. I had thought about the sensitivity stuff, but I thought it messed with your enamel? Mine is bad enough as it is without something to make it even thinner.

We have and use Scope. So that's not a problem. I guess I could try using it twice a day instead of just once. And I once long ago had a dentist tell me after a "periodontal" cleaning to rinse with peroxide and water so maybe I should try doing that again.

Sounds like you have THE toothache. Uh oh! I hope you feel better soon. Sorry I don't have any remedies except make something else hurt worse and maybe you'll forget about it. On second thought...that sounds like the moron's way of handling it. LOL

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I've been there. It is no fun! You need to figure out a way to be seen. Trust me, it is only going to get worse at this point. I was able to have a root canal without the capping. So at least I'm not in any pain anymore. . .but I will need to get a cap eventually. Check to see if there are any sliding scale dental clinics in your area. There are several here. . .or call around and see if any dentist will do it on a payment plan. That's what I ended up doing. The root canal itself wasn't that expensive. It's the cap that is going to be costly. Good luck. . .I know how much that hurts.

ETA I knew I needed a root canal, but it was the thought that it was getting so bad and that it could turn into a system wide infection that scared me into getting something done. I'm glad I went in when I did. They are no joke. Get it taken care of before it becomes something far more serious and costly.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Yea..my son just had a root canal/crown,cap and it cost him over $1500 :-0. That's part of what scares me LOL. maybe they will be nice and give me a valium like they did him before I come in lol..

I second Nicole's suggestions. I take Tylenol sinus (or the generic equivalent - couple dollars at Family Dollar or dollar General, but the real stuff, which I prefer - can be had for about $4) when my teeth start hurting.

Also- I don't think that Scope is the same as listerine and the other antiseptic mouthwashes. I get the big bottle of Walmart brand antiseptic mouthwash for about $3, and I know there's a smaller bottle that can be had cheaper. ( ijust looked, and the active ingredients in my bottle are Eucalyptol, Menthol, Methyl salicylate and Thymol - check and see if scope has the same).

I hope you're feeling better soon.

Sandy

Please see a dentist. Most dentist will take payments. About 2 years ago, I had extreme pain in a tooth. I had never had a problem. I had a cracked tooth and an infection. It ended in a root canal (my first at 55) and a cap. I could have had a worse time. Any infection in the head area can affect the brain.

When my tooth hurts, I gargle with salt water. Usually it takes away the pain. I also ice it.

You need to seek the care of a doctor. If anyone calls in a pain reliever for you, they should lose their license.

For the pain, take Ibuprofen 800 mg. every 8 hrs around the clock until you can get to the dentist.

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We're off to never never land

Or until you die, which ever comes first.

http://www.foxreno.com/health/18573060/detail.html

If your teeth are effected due to a medical condition--then you could very well qualifiy for treatment under your medical insurance/medical condition.
YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR! Even if it is an abcessed tooth, a medical doctor can (and sometimes) will diagnosis it and treat with antibiotics. While a medical doctor can't "fix" the abcess; they can treat an infection. Furthermore, if you have an abcess, a dentist will most likely want the infection either cleared completely or at the very least being treated before they will attempt removal of the tooth/teeth. Get to an urgent care clinic. Call the MD that is treating you for whatever you're taking pain meds for, get somewhere and get evaluated ASAP.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Sounds like an abcessed tooth. I had this same thing happen to me many years ago. The pain shot around my mouth and after about a week it settled in one tooth...the abcessed one. Luckily I worked for a dentist at the time and he did a root canal for nothing.

Well I have an appt. on Monday with my PCP so I will ask him about it. It is very odd tho. The pain comes and goes. I can go most of the day fine and then all of a sudden a dull ache in my jaw and then BAM! it's intense, screaming pain. I just know I cannot stand it any longer and I am willing to do whatever I have to now. I just want it gone.

So are you saying I should use Listerine instead of Scope? Because I have Listerine. I thought it was Scope but I was wrong..lol.

Ok I did some research and found out that it isn't the narcotics directly causing the tooth decay/breakage, it's the fact that they cause dry mouth, which after awhile causes tooth decay. I have been taking meds for chronic pain for about 5 years. So I guess that is part of the problem. I think the other part is the fact that I haven't been to a dentist in almost 10 years. It's embarrassing to admit, but I really have a severe phobia of the dentist. Just thinking of even calling for an appt. makes my heart pound and my hands sweat. I have made so many appts in the past and never went. I couldn't make it out the door.

I have the same problem-I have a toothache that comes and goes. I am just waiting on tax money to make the appt., as I know I will need quite a bit of work. Luckily it will just bother me for a day or so, then the pain will go away. When I really can't stand it, I use the Kanka (?) mouth stuff. It's in a small blue bottle. It tastes like crap, but really does a great job at numbing the area fast.

The Washington Post had a story a year or so ago about a boy who died from an abscessed tooth. I know very few who don't hate going, but you must go now. You are literally risking your life.

Here's the story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...702116_pf.html

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Reading is Fundamental.

Be sure and ask your PCP about valium or something else to calm you. Call the dentist and make sure they are running on time. Leave early, take a book, and plan to sit an hour. Take the valium, or whatever you have, after you get to the office. But like I said allow yourself some time in the waiting room for it to kick in. If you get there and they are suddenly backed up, then hold off taking it. Explain what you are doing to the office staff and they will try to see that it goes smoothly. You are not the only one with this problem.

I once had a 1:00 appointment and misread the time on my calendar. I thought it read 1100. I mistook my sloppily written colon for a one. I had already taken my valium at 10 and then couldn't take another one at noon, so that visit was not good. I loved my dental valiums. Probably too much.

I remember reading about that little boy. What I can't understand is why is there regulation on what doctors can charge (i.e., if you have medical insurance and you go to a preferred provider, the doctor has to take what the insurance company offer). But it seems like dentists and oral surgeons can charge whatever they want, dental insurance pays a small portion and then the patient has to come up with the rest, with no discount. It's no wonder there are so many people with dental problems in this nation. There seems to be no limit what dentists can charge. Most dentists and oral surgeons in our area ask for payment that day. I've been in an oral surgeon's office and seen them tell people they can't do the work because they didn't have all the money up front. Most even tell patients to have the money that day.

Why aren't there better regulations on dentists? And really, why is a root canal SO expensive? Has anyone ever asked for an itemized statement?

Op I know I came in late to this post. I feel your pain sweetie. I am also relieved to hear that you have a dentist appointment . A couple of things for me personally I feel advil works the best for tooth pain, again I am not sure how effective if you have an infection. I also agree 100 percent that to rinse your mouth with warm salted water is also helpful and a cold pad as well to the area. On a personal note I always was so afarid of the dentists growing up. However I have lived in that chair for what seemed like a life time. At this point, while I have great coverage and I know how hard it can be without. Again at this point I have all implants on the bottom, on top I have 6 implants and then I have a removable piece with 3 teeth on each side.As far as needles I have had soooo many I lost count and they do not scare me anymore. But again I feel so bad and I know how painful a toothache can be. I wish you the best of luck and a sincere prayer for you to feel better. Kindly keep us posted. Peace. Catherine

Agreed!

I'm luckier than most of the people around here that I know, in that we have dental insurance. It's supposed to pay 80%. What it really means is that they pay 80% of what the insurance company thinks it should cost. The dentist charges far more than that and we often end up paying around 50%-60% of the bill.

Up until the last couple of years, there was no dentists in this county that took medicaid. The closest one was over an hour away. As a result he was always way backed up. I had friends that when their kid got a toothache, had to wait 3-5 weeks for an "emergency" appointment. Regular appointments had to be scheduled months in advance. Most would have to take their kids to the pediatrician or even the ER in the mean time.

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Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

No, I don't have a dentist appt. I have an appt. with my primary care doc (PCP).

Please be careful with taking any more pills. You want to make sure that you don't have an interaction with the drugs that you are already on. Make sure the dentist or whomever you do end up seeing knows the prescriptions that you already are on.

May I ask what state you are in? I know my state has dentist care offered for people who can not afford it. Have you check with your state? Maybe a hubby or friend can go with you to help keep you calm--

Hugs,

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Donna

I have been having the same problem for months now and FINALLY called the dentist. I have insurance just HATE to go. The pain comes and goes(not daily) but I have found it also hurts in my jaw and glands. I have really bad sinus problems but have never had the toothaches with it BUT every time my teeth start throbbing I take 2 red sudafed and some aspirin and it is gone in 20 minutes. I hate to hear what they are going to tell me on Monday(probably should have been in months ago-although I am only 2 months past my 6 month check up)... Good Luck and I hope it is nothing to serious.

No, I am not taking the pills for anything but my prescribed reason...my long term chronic pain. I only mentioned it because that is the main reason my teeth are the way they are now. That and that I haven't been to a dentist in so long
And I signed a pain management contract when I first started seeing my pain doctor that states that I will inform other doctors of my meds, not go to different pharmacies, etc. so I know about all that already and I am very very responsible so far as that. I have even in the past called my pain doc if I have a cold before taking cold meds to make sure it's ok. But I do appreciate your advice.
I am in Tennessee.