I am sure we have all had tooth ache. I rarely have to see a dentist and rarely have tooth ache, but, well, I do now, and the delay in getting to actually get it fixed is painful.
Why my whole mouth
I have seen the dentist, and he has booked me in for a filling next week. It seems that it is just one tooth, with a broken filling, and that is it. So why does it feel like my whole jaw is trying to kill me, not just one tooth. I think "referred pain" is the answer, but it is hell. At least now I know it is one tooth I know that is the problem that needs attention.
Why some times and not others
OK I understand if I eat something and get something in the broken tooth on to the nerve, it will hurt, but it is far from that simple. Eating can make it worse, and cleaning my teeth can make it better, yes. But it seems it will be hours, maybe even all day, without a twinge - I can forget I have tooth ache. But then can be hours in agony - meaning I can't think, can't sleep, can't work. There is no clue to it at all.
Right now eating a meal is challenging though.
Temporary fillings
You can buy them (amazon!) and initially they appeared to work, but then not. They don't last long and come out easily. It is now the point where if I put in a temporary filling I will be in agony, so that is no good. Shame.
Pain killers
You would think pain killers would be the answer, so here is the list of what makes fuck all difference!
- Paracetamol
- Prescription strength co-codamol
- Ibuprofen (seems to help a bit, maybe)
- Bonjela
- Infant teething granules (aka "baby crack")
- Sensitive toothpaste
What works?
The only thing that helps, and not for very long, is literally cleaning my teeth with isopropyl alcohol. Obviously used with care although not particularly toxic.
I am, however, trying more normal ethanol ingestion as well as a method to reduce the impact of the pain.
Only a few more days...