Hi everyone, I have a serious problem here, I had a tooth pulled this past Monday, the rear one on the bottom left side, not the wisdom tooth, its been gone for 20 years. Now at first, I thought I had developed a dry socket, because I had started having fairly severe pain along my jawline, but a visit to the emergency room last night says it may not be. The doctor told me he thinks its a bad infection along my jaw. I just know I'm in AGONY! Its hurts so bad, I've been holding my jaw in one hand, pounding the floor with the other, and crying during each pain episode. Now, I RARELY cry over anything, but this is extremely intense! Any ideas on what this could be, or what I can do to help relieve the pain until the jaw heals? The doc gave me Keflex and Percocet to take. I have tried taking 800 mg tablets of Ibuprofen, which helps just a small bit, and 5mg tablets of Vicodin too, which I even tried doubling up on, on the advice of the emergency room nurse when I called about it. Just this moment, the pain has receded to a tolerable ache, but I know it will be back with a vengeance soon. Any help would be EXTREMELY appreciated as I dont know how much more I can take! By the way, I have changed jobs, so I dont have health insurance anymore, needless to say, I'm avoiding staying at the hospital any more than absolutely necessary. Thanks to anyone who can offer a suggestion!

chris

It will take at least a day for the antibiotics to work. When the antibiotics start to work, the pressure will soon be relieved. The best way to relieve the pain is to numb it. Take a swig of some alcohol and hold it there. (Rum or Whiskey will do the trick).Spit it out. Keep doing this until it is numb. I would make a joke to swallow it but you don't want to mix alcohol and your medication. There is absolutely nothing in the world worse than tooth/mouth pain. I feel for ya. The alcohol will numb it. Thats about all you can do until the antibiotic kicks in. Just try not to think about it. Try sleeping as much as you can. I know its hard but you should feel better within 24 hours.

Recently, Sagus also had a jaw infection (an abscess) that required antibiotics and pain meds as well. It did take a couple of days for the antibiotics to kick in and really start managing the infection. It will likely take just a bit longer than 24 hours for your antibiotics to work on the infection, probably closer to 48 to 72 hours really. Mouth and head pain for some reason seems to hurt worse than other sorts of pain.

You could apply ice or heat alternating to the side that hurts to see if that helps the pain. You also can speak to your dentist about possible use of Over The Counter numbing agents. Meanwhile, I am sorry you have such a painful time going, hopefully you feel better soon.

My thanks to you both for your quick responses!
clarebear: Good suggestion, in fact, there have been several to suggest the whiskey swishing idea, but there's only one little problem, when I drink or even "swish" whiskey, it goes straight into my system, due to being absorbed very quickly thru my gums. I have a new job, and cannot afford to mess it up by mixing up too many things trying to get rid of this pain. I have been using ice water today and holding it in that side of my mouth to help numb it some, and its worked fairly well. I'm due to take another Percocet soon, so that may help, but I wont be able to take that at work, cause it makes swoon a little. I'll have to rely on the Ibuprofen then, which will be very painful. It is about to go into another period of increased pain right now, and I'm using the ice water to ease it some, but even that doesnt always work either.

Sherasi: I'll try the alternating cold and heat technique and see if it helps. I'll see the dentist tomorrow morning, and see what he says. Everyone here says he sould not have removed the tooth while there was an infection, and I am inclined to agree, though I practically insisted he do it, so I am partially to blame too.
Thank you both!

chris

My husband needs tooth care, but it cannot be done during an acute infection. Since he is now over the infection, we will be getting him back in to be cared for to manage the tooth problem.

Chris,
Try alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen every 4 hours. Sometimes this allows for better pain management.

When I had really bad tooth ache, I found ice made it hurt worse. Especially when your cheek thaws out. (Then you really realize you are in pain) Go buy some extra strength orajel and try that. It isn't as good as the whiskey but it will numb it.

vansrme

How are you feeling today? Any better?

I hope so.