Toothaches

Does anyone know how to get rid of a toothache that doesn't involve going to the dentist? I can't afford to go to the dentist right now but I have been getting horrible toothaches for about a month now and its off and on every day. I just started working last week (after 2 months of being unemployed) and so far have only worked 12 hours so I haven't made enough money yet to even pay my bills so I can't go to the dentist. I have been taking advil for it, but thats not working the best anymore.

I use aspirin (advil does nothing for me, ever), Oragel, and my favourite - a bag of frozen peas. Hope you feel better soon!

I can sympathise - I just had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled out yesterday. Can you buy tylenol with codeine in it? I don't remember if it is available OTC in the US - its been a while!

Originally Posted by alice_curiouser

I use aspirin (advil does nothing for me, ever), Oragel, and my favourite - a bag of frozen peas. Hope you feel better soon!

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I can't take aspirin. It makes me feel really sick.

Originally Posted by Kiwideus

I can sympathise - I just had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled out yesterday. Can you buy tylenol with codeine in it? I don't remember if it is available OTC in the US - its been a while!

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I have to get my wisdom teeth out too. I have one that is coming in really weird and 3 impacted. I don't think I can get tylenol with codeine. I'm from Canada and I really am not sure if it is available here or not, but I don't think so.

Have you ever heard of Rawleigh's Internal Liniment? You can soak a little ball of cotton in the liniment,squeeze the excess out and apply to your tooth and it will stop the pain. I have used it many times. I just don't know if they still make it,tho.

Originally Posted by catlover19

I can't take aspirin. It makes me feel really sick.



I have to get my wisdom teeth out too. I have one that is coming in really weird and 3 impacted. I don't think I can get tylenol with codeine. I'm from Canada and I really am not sure if it is available here or not, but I don't think so.

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You can buy Tylenol #1 which has 8 mg of codiene in it. Taking 3 of them is almost equal to 1 Tylenol #3. However, the excess acetaminophen in the pills is not good for the bladder and in long term use can lead to bladder cancer.

Ask your pharamacist for the Tylenol #1, but do not take more than 12 tablets in a 24 hour period. Just because 3 Tylenol #1's equal 1 Tylenol #3, DO NOT take 6 tablets at once!

In the short term, this is ok to do, but you really need to get to a dentist and get that tooth looked after. Mouth and ear infections can cross the blood-brain barrier and you don't want that to happen.

Most dentists will work with you on a payment plan if you can't afford to pay all at once.

Is it the gum that is sore (as in an abcess) or is a root exposed? Ambasol (which I think is basically the same as Orasal, which someone else mentioned) helps with gum pain, but if its a jagging pain from an exposed root..I'm afraid you may have to go to the dentist. Either one isn't really something to mess with. I know, I had an abcessed tooth...the tooth itself didn't hurt, but the gum kept swelling up. It got to the point the infection forced the tooth right out of my mouth...root and all. I went to the dentist the next day and was told the the infection had eaten away a good part of my jaw. I still needed to have 5 teeth pulled and he said there was a good possibility of breaking my jaw. He showed me the x-rays, and it was pretty scary. I would recommend getting this checked as soon as possible. and take calcium to counter-act any damage done.

I would call around to dentist to see who would do a payment plan. I know my dentist does...some prefer cash than going through the insurance company anyway.

I sympathise with you. Atm (well for a year or more) one of my wisdom teeth has been coming up (had one other removed and two dormant) the last 5 days the gum around it flared up and i am in agony. The tooth is coming up straight, but is at an angle from the top (diamond instead of square alignment). So i have a sore spot under my jaw as well. I woke up 4 in the morning just do dig up the panadol and bonjela to rub onto my gums.

I really hope you feel better and can get some help soon or that the pain hopefully goes away.

You can get tylenol with codeine OTC (and to be honest - I found the generic type to work a lot better on my tooth)

It sounds like a tooth / root or gum may have become infected, in which case you may need some antibiotics to take the swelling inside down - not much can help that except the antibiotics

If it is an exposed root, you can buy dental cement (shoppers doesn't carry it but the other smaller pharmacies do) and fill the tooth until you can afford to get it done properly - but again a short term soloution

Like calico said - if it is an infection, not getting it at least seen and checked out could cause you a lot more pain and $$$ in the long run and most dentists will work out a payment plan.

I know other countries have different regulations, but codeine is a controlled substance in the US and is treated like a illegal drug. As are all opioids. If the OP is in the US at this time it will not be available OTC.

As for acetaminophen, it's not bladder problems that it causes, it's renal failure. Liver and kidney damage. Of all the OTC pain medicines it has the lowest toxicity level. 12 pills in a day, depending on dosage, may be enough to send a person to a hospital. Do not drink alcohol if you are taking a lot of any OTC pain meds, this can cause more damage to the stomach, digestive tract, and liver.

I have caused stomach bleeding from taking too many ibuprofen before, it is very easy to do. You take a couple, then take a couple later and so forth, not completely keeping track of the amount. People do not realize how easy it is to abuse these medicines.

Try an ice pack, it's simple and safe. Please be very careful with OTC stuff.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

I know other countries have different regulations, but codeine is a controlled substance in the US and is treated like a illegal drug. As are all opioids. If the OP is in the US at this time it will not be available OTC.

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She is in Canada so it is available upon talking to the pharmacist but they can say no if they think you don't need it or will misuse it - depends on the pharmacist, I have had one question me for ages and another just ask me how many pills I want and if I want generic or regular

I wasn't sure since she did mention that she didn't have enough money yet for a dentist. Then again I have heard the health care that doesn't cover some or much of some things, such as specialists and needing more extensive treatment.