help! I have a toothache UPDATE

[Sillystunt]

You have to get that pulled...it can kill you if the infection get in your blood. Salt water and find a free clinic or hospital will at least give you anti biotics

 

[NRacine]

You should call your dentist and ask if you can make payments. Or go to the ER. If you have no money, they can't make you pay. They can at least help keep the infection down and make you feel better.

 

[ruthie]

I have used a tea bag held between the tooth and gum. Tastes terrible but it helps.

 

[Peeper7]

As someone said earlier -- don't take an antibiotic unless you take a FULL course. Not every antibiotic is appropriate for every infection. Generally oral abscess is treated with amoxicillin or related I think, unless you are allergic to penicillin.
Be sure you dissolve the salt completely before using the salt water rinses or you can trigger sensitivity in the tooth. Correctly proportioned salt water should not burn.
Peroxide used often will eat the insides of your mouth. At least mix it 50:50 with water. Same with listerine. use them only once or twice daily.
Even if you need dental care you can often treat the infection -- but you WILL need medical care to get an antibiotic.
Treating the infection may buy you some time even a few times, but as said earlier too, you can get blood poisoning if you let any infection go too long. If you have any fever or chills -- get to the doctor right away -- don't wait!

 

[Judy]

Check out dental schools for free or reduced fee treatment.

 

[FrizzleFreak]

Where's Mahonri?

Good luck-don't take anybody else's presription meds. Not a good idea health wise or legally wise.

 

[tdgill]

feeling any better?

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

use the salt water and oh its going to hurt. No matter what you do its going to hurt. Suck it up and rince out your mouth, get the water as hot as you can stand. Then suck hard on your gum where its infected. Sounds nasty but you need to break the junk up and help it drain. Spit and repeat. You will know when it broke up and started coming out. Cause it will taste nasty.

 

[chickabator]

oh I know when it breaks cause it starts gushing the blood and gunk out. I took 800mg of ibuprophen getting ready to take more now. to be honest I dont know if it is just 1 tooth or more I need to have them pulled but I will just have to wait a little bit longer. I have to work again monday so maybe after that I can go get something done

 

[Mahonri]

You need an antibiotic that is prescribed for you and you need a full course.... at least 5 days worth. (It used to be 8 days but they are cutting therapies shorter these days)

Then you'll need to have it extracted or have root canal therapy and a crown.

As long as you aren't allergic to it, ibuprophen is good. Ora Gel can sometimes make the pain worse. If it's draining, salt water and DILUTE peroxide is good.

Good luck.