Toothache next to extracted tooth - how long?

[SplshMtn99]

A week ago (Sunday), I developed a toothache. It was a constant dull pain, but a stronger sharper pain if I sniffled, bent over or layed down. It was hard to pinpoint for me which tooth, since the pain seemed to move around between 2, then, 3, then up to 4 possible teeth. All signs pointing to needing a root canal. Xrays showed absess starting for 1 particular tooth. Opted to have the affected tooth extracted. That was Wednesday afternoon.

Today is Monday. 5 days post extraction. I've been experiencing constant dull / medium pain in tooth next to extracted tooth pretty much since extraction. And often radiating to tooth even next to that.

If almost feels like when I had my braces tightened years ago. That type of pain. Friday evening, I resorted to buying Orajel for the long weekend. I see that pain can be caused by nerve being traumatized during extraction. Ok, I'll buy that. How long should this last though?

Its not dry socket. None of those signs. Dentist closed today & I plan on calling tomorrow, but today I just want some answers / experiences that I at least have an end in sight. Over a week now of pain in one form or another. Aleve isn't cutting it anymore.

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

Motrin- at least 600 mg if the pain is real bad is OK to take - Aleve is not good for dental pain.

Get thee to the dentist ASAP.

Good luck!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Thanks. I'll get buying some Motrin today then.

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

I used to be dental assistant / office mgr - please - you can call your dentist today if it gets really bad.- he will call you back, they DO work holidays. Try not to suffer for too long. You may do more damage. I would also call now and leave a message, this way in the AM they will call you back ASAP. Tell them the pain is a 10 and they will get you in .

Dental pain is the WORST. I feel for you.

 

[SplshMtn99]

One more question. Should I call my dentist who took the xrays OR should I call the oral surgeon I was referred to who did the extraction? I took the xrays with me to the surgeon on Wed afternoon, and they were going to mail them back to my dentist. I doubt they are at dentist yet. AND I believe the area of (new) pain won't be on the xrays anyway.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Were you, or are you, on antibiotics?

 

[kpm76]

Did they give you an antibiotic? I had a root canal a few weeks ago and experienced the same pain you are describing. I called and they said I could have a slight infection and put me on an antibiotic. That made a huge difference and the pain went away. Good luck

 

[pumba]

Our granddaughter just had her four wisdom teeth extracted and they said to expect some pain in the areas ...it is called sympathetic pain.....but I would call your dentist and get the okey that everything is right.......good luck

 

[SplshMtn99]

No, they did not give antibiotics.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You should be on one as an abcess is an infection. The infection is likely causing the pain. Definitely call your dentist (first one).

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

Sorry I didn't answer sooner- dealing with DD TEETHING!


Since the pain is in a new area call your reg dentist first. And call NOW. They will be VERY busy tomorrow due to long weekend.

 

[kpm76]

No, they did not give antibiotics.

Humm, I am surprised they did not give you an antibiotic after an extraction. I would call today and talk to whoever is on call. If you go to a CVS or Walgreens type place for your prescriptions they call call it in over the phone today. I tried Advil for the pain but only the antibiotic helped.

 

[kirbsam]

call oral surgeon, who did the extraction. the dentist who took xrays knows nothing about how the extraction went, etc.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Thanks. I'll call dentist. His office bldg is behind his house, perhaps I have a better shot at reaching him & besides, he knows who I am. Hopefully, he's not out sailing today.

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

call oral surgeon, who did the extraction. the dentist who took xrays knows nothing about how the extraction went, etc.

True - but she's saying it's in a new area.

Oh - I just read your post again OP- sorry - if the pain feels like it's close enough to the surgery site then I would call the OS. Again, do not delay. You should have been on antiobiotics for an abcess. They will call it in for you if needed.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Dentist answering service said to call the oral surgeon.

Oral surgeons answering service wanted to know if it was an emergency after I explained everything. Back & forth with her about if I wanted him to call me today since they are closed. I said forget it. I can wait one more day. Didn't need her attitude.

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

Dentist answering service said to call the oral surgeon.

Oral surgeons answering service wanted to know if it was an emergency after I explained everything. Back & forth with her about if I wanted him to call me today since they are closed. I said forget it. I can wait one more day. Didn't need her attitude.

What a "B" !!! Sorry they gave you 'tude!

Sorry - i am posting and doing stuff - shouldn't be doing that!

But sometimes if they had a very difficult time removing that tooth you could have some pain for a while. They had a very hard time with one of mine and my OS said they "banged me up" and he was sorry It throbbed for a good two weeks and progressivley got better. But with that absess - I would have hoped they put you on antibiotics Could have flamed back up again.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Call the Oral Surgeon back and tell them yes, it's an emergency, you have an abcess and severe pain post tooth extraction yesterday (hey, fight fire with fire it is true).

OT - it really doesn't matter who calls in the prescription. I would not wait. Every hour that you do, the infection is growing as bacteria multiply, so it could get worse. I'm surprised one of them didn't start you on one in the first place - maybe each one thought the other would? From what I've seen, our dentist won't even pull a tooth unless the abcess is treated first.

 

[SplshMtn99]

What a "B" !!! Sorry they gave you 'tude!

Sorry - i am posting and doing stuff - shouldn't be doing that!

But sometimes if they had a very difficult time removing that tooth you could have some pain for a while. They had a very hard time with one of mine and my OS said they "banged me up" and he was sorry It throbbed for a good two weeks and progressivley got better. But with that absess - I would have hoped they put you on antibiotics Could have flamed back up again.

OK, thats the answer I was looking for. I was thinking banged up & wondering how long that should last. Over 20 yrs since braces so I couldn't remember. Since we are still in the normal banged up tooth pain time range (lol), I guess its not an emergency & I can surely wait one for day to talk to a real person without 'tude. I've had worse pain in my life. Motrin for today will do.

Thanks.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Another thought to help distinguish types of pain - how does it feel when you drink something hot? What about cold?