Teeth Pain

[Aggie_Ama]

I need some serious dental work (probably a couple root canals) but I have put it off since I moved to Austin because I didn't like the dentist I have tried. Now I can't ignore my teeth are seriously hurting, I am trying to get in this week but anyone have some pain management suggestions? I tried Orajel and I am still hurting. I took 4 ibuprofen and nothing. I have been in tears off and on all weekend!

[oxysback]

Man, there's nothing worse than tooth pain. Earlier this year I got a crown, then a few months later I had to get a root canal on that same tooth. My dentist was able to give me something a little (ok...a LOT) stronger for the pain. I swear, it seemed like it hurt just to breathe sometimes!

Maybe you could ask you dentist to give you something to tide you over until your appointment?

[snapdragen]

**hugs** Tooth pain is one of the worst. Do you have anything stronger than ibuprofen?

[Aggie_Ama]

I have some vicodin from a previous injury but it was prior to being on anti-depressants and I don't know if I can take them together! I am hoping to get in to the dentist quick and maybe if I have to wait on the procedure they can get me something better for the pain. My doctor friend jokingly offered to numb it up for me yesterday with some shots she has at the house!

[snapdragen]

I have some vicodin from a previous injury but it was prior to being on anti-depressants and I don't know if I can take them together! I am hoping to get in to the dentist quick and maybe if I have to wait on the procedure they can get me something better for the pain. My doctor friend jokingly offered to numb it up for me yesterday with some shots she has at the house!

Aggie -- I take zoloft and was able to take vicodin.

[VeloVT]

isn't clove oil a traditional remedy for tooth pain? you should be able to find it in the health food store.

I have no experience using it so I can't offer testimonials.

Sometimes the first dose of advil doesn't help but if you take 800mg every four hours, after 2-3 doses you will feel better.

FWIW, my stomach can't take this much advil for more than 3-4 days.

[salsabike]

If it is a root canal kind of pain, topical anesthetic won't help much. Amanda, try to get an emergency appointment with the dentist. I have been through this more than once. Often even if the root canal itself can't be done immediately, they can give you some relief from the build up of pressure inside the tooth, and some antibiotics if it's infected. This kind of pain is not easily helped by painkillers, even vicodin, although if you have that I'd sure take it. Best thing you can do is tell the dentist you're really in agony and need immediate relief. I'm sorry, kiddo. It's very much not fun. This happened to me once on a trip to Scotland. Call first thing tomorrow, okay? It'll help.

[solobiker]

I agree with how painful it can be. I had to have 2 RCs within 2 months. Talk about pain before I had them done. My dentist gave me Vicodin and it did not help one bit. He also gave me an antibiotic which seemed to help. My thoughts are with you. Too bad you couldn't come up here. My dentist is great. I am a big wimp when it comes to going to the dentist so now I will drive close to an hour just to go to him because he knows how wimpy I am. I wish I had some advice for you. Hang in there.

[Aggie_Ama]

I got into a new dentist yesterday and he seemed very likeable. I told him I knew it was wrong but I hadn't been to a dentist since moving to Austin because the first one I tried upset me. He said that is common and the important thing is to get me back on the path to good dental health. I got a comfortable vibe from him like my old dentist back in Aggieland that I didn't mind going to!

So, he says one tooth definitely needs a root canal but given that I have already had one done improperly he wants an endodontist to do it. He showed me the other reason is I have funky roots (they curve and hook) and he thinks a specialist is a better fit for the job. He also thinks this is why the first dentist who did mine 10 years ago didn't get it right. So I am waiting to get into the specialist for the new root canal and to finally evaluate my old one. In the mean time he gave me antibiotics to calm the infection and vicodin for the pain. I hate taking vicodin but I did take some before bed so I wouldn't stay up all night. I will stick to ibuprofen during the day since vicodin tends to upset my tummy.

I really hate teeth issues!

[OakLeaf]

I know dentists have a pretty limited formulary in most states, but he can probably prescribe something different for you that might not upset your stomach too much. Tramadol maybe?

Glad you're getting somewhere anyhow. Hope the endo can see you soon!

[Tuckervill]

I'm glad you found a good dentist that you like. Hope you get relief soon.

(Tramadol makes me have really really weird dreams, and makes me dizzy.)

Karen

[OakLeaf]

(Tramadol makes me have really really weird dreams, and makes me dizzy.)

Karen

But that's my point. Even though the opioids are closely related chemically, individuals can have very different side effects, and no one should have to choose between pain and intolerable side effects without at least trying something different.

[MommyBird]

When my son broke his foot in a motocross accident several years ago we were introduced to the many alternative uses for Benadryl.

#1-He was first told to take it to reduce the swelling.

Then we learned that he is very sensitive to pain meds. The abdominal pain was worse than the three broken metatarsals and the hematoma from the impact to the growth plate on his heal. (The bike came down full force on his heal as he was scrambling off the track on all fours, thank goodness for proper equipment, those boots are not just for looks!)

#2-When we called the Ortho, he told us to give him benadryl to help with the nausea and pain.

#3-He was able to eliminate one of the other pain meds as the benadryl would also help there as well.

#4-He couldn't sleep, doc gave him benadryl again.

We carefully kept up on his Benadryl dosage and it made an enormous difference on his comfort level.

#5-He got the itchies while healing in his cast...What did the Ortho recommend...Benadryl...better than sticking something pointy down the cast and risking a skin tear and infection.

Who knew Benadryl was such a miracle drug?

I try to keep our medication to a minimum, but I am not ardently anti-med either. But Benadryl was a less harmful drug than the alternative in all of the above cases.

You may want to see if it is okay to take with your pain meds. I can see several benefits with your situation. I would call the Pharmacist or your dentist before adding it.

[Tuckervill]

But that's my point. Even though the opioids are closely related chemically, individuals can have very different side effects, and no one should have to choose between pain and intolerable side effects without at least trying something different.

Yep, you're right.

Karen

[NoNo]

I'm glad you found a good dentist that you like. Hope you get relief soon.

(Tramadol makes me have really really weird dreams, and makes me dizzy.)

Karen

When I had my wisdom teeth out last month, they started me out with vicodin. Did nothing for me. So they gave me tramadol. WHOA! It put me in such a fog, I couldn't function, to the point a coworker walked up and said "You're going home now" and drove me home before the day was over (I'd taken the train in). I didn't like the feeling at all, and decided to quit taking it. I guess opioids just don't agree with me.