I had dental work done today, and despite already having had 5 root canals done, I think this is the worst pain I've ever had. And it isn't even a root canal. It was replacement of a cracked filling.

Anyway, the ibuprofen is only dulling the pain, and I'm counting the minutes until I can take some more (30 minutes and counting). Any alternative medicines that you can think of, ones that won't have a bad interaction with ibuprofen of course. I tried putting some clove bud essential oil on it, but it's hard to get in on the pain source. I'm thinking about arnica drops, since it was a trauma to the tooth, but I don't know if that will help with the pain.

Suggestions welcome! Don't suggest anything cold, however, I already know that is just going to make it much worse!

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

Answers

Wow Joy! That happens when they hit a nerve. Get back to the dentist as fast as you can!!! Have you tryed a hot water bottle on the side of your face? Find this guys home phone number and drag him back to the office at night! He'll do it if you continue to be in bad pain.

5 root canals in one sitting? You must be tough as nails!!.....I'm real sorry....Kirk

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

Oops, I phrased that badly. I've had 5 root canals done in the PAST, not at the same time. I'll try the hot bot when I go to bed. If this isn't vastly improved by tomorrow, I will be going back. He said the tooth was kind of unusual, smaller than average with a larger than average nerve, which may explain why it is giving me pain. He did put in an insulating liner -- can't imagine what it'd be like without it. Thanks Kirk. I'm getting offline so that the dog can have the last potty run for the day, but I think I'll check back here before going to bed, see if anyone else has any ideas.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

Joy: When they grind close to a nerve they put a spacing material between the filling and tooth. A buffer to keep hot and cold from killing you.

I'm not a dentist but I owned a dental lab for 35 years. To bad your not closer I'd build you a super duper gold crown! I even made a few for peoples dogs! Ha! Oh I forgot I'm retired!...Kirk

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Hi Joy, It's pretty late so I don't know if you are still up but you can hit the ibuprofen heavier than recommended for tonight without any lasting problems. I am not sure what dose you have but a Motrin of the old prescription strength was 800mg. I wouldn't do it for long term, but for the short haul I sure would.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Joy, It's A.M. now, you poor dear, I sure hope that you are better! The herb that I turn to for bad pain is Valerian. Hopefully you have gotton thaqt Dentist to help you by now. Valerian helps one get pass bad pain and to sleep. I only use it for extreme times tho. as it stinks REALLY bad and makes one feel really funny. It's my last resort. All blessings to you Joy. TRen

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Hi Joy, hope you made it through the night with some sleep! Vioxx is especially recommended for dental pain, at the 50mg. dose once a day, see if your dentist can call you in some. If not, as Diane said, you can take the ibuprofen at higher doses for the short term management of pain, up to 1200mg. every six hours, with plenty of water and food at those levels to prevent stomach and kidney inflammation.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Thank you all for your responses. I was on 800mg of ibuprofen when I posted the first time. I did take more at the recommended time, and in the meantime, I took some arnica drops, which helped a lot. I also remembered that my homeopath had given me a remedy for tooth root pain when I was clenching my teeth in my sleep, so I took that too. Don't know what's in it though. Between all those things, I was able to sleep, and pretty well. Not much pain now, though I'm being careful not to chew anything too hard on that side. I am thinking that the nerve was aggravated and will settle down over the next few days, especially since I plan to keep taking the homeopathic remedy every few hours. And more ibuprofen if I need it. Don't like to take it, but sometimes it is necessary (from my wimpy, don't want pain view point).

Now the valerian, are you talking about a tincture, or capsules, or tea, or any of the above? I don't have any, but I could get some to keep on hand. I'm thinking a tincture would be the longest keeping.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Ah, Joy... you did the correct combination it sounds....

I would go for any tincture in alcohol as they last the longest... and correct, valerian stinks... like my kids' socks!!!!

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Aaaaahhhhhhhhh I'm glad thats over. Was I having sympathy pains? I went with a friend when she was having a baby once, and I started having labor pains, I swear! And I started my period the exact minute that baby was born. So glad that you did O.K. Joy, hope the Dentist gets it fixed. NOTHINg like a toothache! I had a toothache once that was Worse then childbirth, I think.

Yes, I agree with Annie about the alcohol tincture, I go out when the energy is in the root of the plant, and slice up the roots and put them in a mason jar, then top with 90 prof (! How do you spell it!) profe,anyhow!(I read in a newspaper the other day, this lady was talking about talking right and she said that anyhows isn't a word. Well! HOw can it not be a word, YOu know what I mean when I say it don't you! Then it's a word. Gee Whiz!}Anyhow's vodca, or brandy, or hey moonshine works , if you can get it. Grin, I got that grin, off of Trevilians, thanks Trev! when I write letters I always have little smile faces, and I miss them. Like to grin. O.K. shake the alchohol and herb mixture at least 3 times a day. ( I put the jars right by the kitchen sink, cause ,darn I end up there,!). I just shake em around, and if the liquid get low, I top it off, Or the herbs sticken up will rot. Then after about a week , I will take those roots out and put em in the compost, and I will put fresh ones in. I will do this 3 times, Then after about a month when the mood is right, I strain the liquid into bottles with droppers and the drops are given when needed to those who need them.

Why did I write all this, you didn't want to know all this , did you Joy. !

Now, You let us know how that tooth is doing! It had better be good! Love TRen

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

When my teeth were filled i used a wash cloth soaked in Old Grand Dad and put it between the cheek and tooth. Got a little tipsy but the whole gum stayed numb when I crashed after spitting out the compress.

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2001

I'm back from my weekend business trip. The tooth has behaved pretty well, and I can actually chew on that side. I cautiously say I think it'll be okay! Thanks for all the responses!

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

I hear you Joy.ouccccchhhh. Just went in for my first cap last monday. My partner said she had never seen me take so many drugs and I got by with only 2 aspirin twice a day so I can only imagine what you went through. I'm glad to see your doing better. Mine took about a week to ease up. I am now bracing myself for the most excruciating pain of all. Paying the bill. $600 for one cap.oucchhhhh again.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001