In agony with toothache, is it normal not to be charged for emergency appointments?

Lemoncurd

I've been having trouble with toothache for a while now, I saw my dentist last week who didn't think there was anything serious going on so sent me away with a recommendation for pro-relief toothpaste. Despite using this (frequently) it got worse and for the last four days I have been constantly alternating ibuprofen and paracetamol. I went back on Monday and saw a different dentist who also found no sign of infection and no problems on an xray (of the tooth I thought was causing the problem), they said to keep taking the full dosage of ibuprofen for three days in the hope that if there was some slight inflammation, it would bring it down. The pain has continued to get worse and several times an hour I'm finding myself curled up in pain and scaring my children who keep on telling me that I need to go to hospital! it seems to have spread to both upper and lower jaw on one side.

Just wondering what to do next? I'm pretty sure it is tooth related but the dentist said to leave it three days. Could a GP help at all?

I'm also wondering why they didn't charge me either time? is this normal? the only thing I can think of is that they consider it part of a course of treatment. I'm booked in for a crown on a completely different tooth in a couple of weeks time.

welshdent

did they prescribe you anything?

jhe

not sure about charges but i have had free treatment a few years back when it was an emegency appointment. i always have a bottle of toothache tincture in the house incase of emergency, you can buy in the chemist. hope you soon get sorted,nothing worse than toothache.

Lemoncurd

No, I haven't been prescribed anything - just told to take ibuprofen. I didn't realise there was anything available specifically for toothache, will try the chemist tomorrow, thanks.

hethmar

I think you need to see your dentist again as it sounds like an infection. Alternatively, see your doctor and tell him dentist couldnt find anything as it could just be something to do with your sinuses? But defo dentist/and or GP in the morning! x

jhe

its a little bottle of tincture that you apply around the affected tooth/teeth, not a cure but hopefully will give you some relief.

hermanmunster_3

deffo don't go to your GP, wouldn't go to the dentist with a bad knee would you?

welshdent

A gp has very little training on the mouth full stop and won't be able to address any dental problems.

McKneff

I was in this state a while ago, dentist couldnt find anything,even x raying them, I went in fully expecting an extraction. He told me to clean my teeth thoroughly, concentracting on the painful area,
and use the little bottle brush things, I persevered (taking the heavier dose of Ibrufen 400gm) and within 24 hours the pain had abated and within 48 hours it had gone. I keep up with the little bottle brushes still and the pain has never come back again.

Dont put anything warm against it, it will make it worse.

brook2jack

Please don't use tooth tincture. It's a very old fashioned remedy that is very caustic, it works by burning nerve endings. Unfortunately it also burns gums etc and I have seen some awful gum burns due to this stuff.

Sometimes it is really difficult to diagnose toothache, sometimes it needs time for it to become evident what the problem is as xrays don't tell the whole story. Go back to the dentist if you are in this much pain. It may be easier to tell what the problem is now. If not selectively numbing up the teeth may help to find the problem.

lollipopsarah

Hi OP, I reckon as you are on a course of treatment, that will explain why you were not charged (that would have added insult to injury ey)
If you are still in pain in the morning, please get on the 'phone early and get another emergency appoint.
My thoughts are with you having recently gone through half a root canal and then two fillings and finally removing the darn thing when it broke.
Good luck.
x