I've been having sharp tooth pain on both sides. Since my neruo appointment is next Monday, I'm not on any meds. The pain struck last night right before bedtime. I took two extra strength Tylenol and applied Orajel Severe to my gums. I think it may have helped. I slept for three hours and then woke up without pain, but couldn't get back to sleep for fear it might start up again.
Has anyone used any type of mouthwash or gel that keeps the gums numb from pain for several hours?
Or anything else that has helped?
I'm trying to stay calm but finding it very difficult. Thanks for any advice.
What worked for me was putting warm water in my mouth, a lot throughout the day and night. Some people fine cool works sorry you are feeling pain. I also used willow bark tincture directly on the area and it helped some, but my pain,was getting better and I am not sure if it was the tincture or just the pain dying down. Willow bark is similar to aspirin and you can get it at a natural health store. I would start with heat or cold.
I agree with the others but a hot shower just standing as long as it is still hot or a heating pad might help too. Just don’t let anyone touch your teeth! Some dentists do one procedure or another (yes it sounds like the dark ages but it is true) believing that the pain must be dental. Hang in there.
Sorry you are in so much pain. I have used the lidocaine mouthwash recommended by KC and it really helped. It's worth a try while you wait for the neuro appointment.
My TN2 pain feels like I am in constant need of a severe root canal. I have actually had a couple unnecessary root canals thinking this was the problem before I was correctly diagnosed. I sometimes use the Oragel and it helps for a couple minutes but doesn't last too long. I strangely find that biting down on something helps so I keep a bunch of suckers nearby so I can bite on the sticks when it gets really bad. As a distraction I sometimes use pepermint oil on my cheek or forehead which causes a cooling sensation to compete with the tooth pain feeling.
Thanks for your reply. I hope I'm typing this in the right spot. Anyway, I'll have to try biting down on something. The tooth pain is getting worse and I can't get anyone to give me a prescription of lidocaine (sp) mouthwash or oral solution. I took some tylenol this afternoon to see if it helps. I'm panicking because I need to go out of town for a funeral and I don't want to be in pain during the trip.
Maybe I'll get some peppermint oil too. I'll try anything at this point. Does your tooth pain move around too?
Thanks for listening.
hope seeker said:
My TN2 pain feels like I am in constant need of a severe root canal. I have actually had a couple unnecessary root canals thinking this was the problem before I was correctly diagnosed. I sometimes use the Oragel and it helps for a couple minutes but doesn't last too long. I strangely find that biting down on something helps so I keep a bunch of suckers nearby so I can bite on the sticks when it gets really bad. As a distraction I sometimes use pepermint oil on my cheek or forehead which causes a cooling sensation to compete with the tooth pain feeling.
My ATN is in my teeth on my left side. I also had an unnecessary root canal. The pain always starts on a specific molar but spreads to other teeth on that side, top and bottom. It moves around and it also moves into my cheek, jaw and ear. I am taking 40mgs Amitriptyline which has been my lifesaver. I recently had to increase my dose but things seem to be under control again.
As for immediate help--warm showers and baths, hot water bottle on my neck and the side of my face. I find flossing and brushing gently around that tooth will ease a tad of the pressure (for other people I know that is a trigger, though). I haven't tried the lidocaine mouthwash but many swear by it. Tylenol never helped me. Tylenol 3 didn't take the pain away but it would relax me and allow me to sleep after a painful day :) I have recently been using Voltaren Emulgel around my face on my affected side. It seems to help quite a bit for some temporary relief.
Did you see the neuro yet? Please keep us updated. You need to start medication as soon as possible.
Thanks for your reply. What is Voltaren Emulgel? Is it a prescription?
I saw a neurologist (2nd one) on Monday. He doesn't think it's TN because the pain in my face and teeth move around so much and usually the pain doesn't last too long. He's running tests, though.
The first neurologist I saw in December said TN would be present on one side only!
This morning I had a terrible burning in my left nostril. It happened three times then stopped. I don't know what to do now since I haven't been diagnosed with TN so I don't have any meds. I'm panicking wondering what's next.
justjane37 said:
Hi Jasmine,
My ATN is in my teeth on my left side. I also had an unnecessary root canal. The pain always starts on a specific molar but spreads to other teeth on that side, top and bottom. It moves around and it also moves into my cheek, jaw and ear. I am taking 40mgs Amitriptyline which has been my lifesaver. I recently had to increase my dose but things seem to be under control again.
As for immediate help--warm showers and baths, hot water bottle on my neck and the side of my face. I find flossing and brushing gently around that tooth will ease a tad of the pressure (for other people I know that is a trigger, though). I haven't tried the lidocaine mouthwash but many swear by it. Tylenol never helped me. Tylenol 3 didn't take the pain away but it would relax me and allow me to sleep after a painful day :) I have recently been using Voltaren Emulgel around my face on my affected side. It seems to help quite a bit for some temporary relief.
Did you see the neuro yet? Please keep us updated. You need to start medication as soon as possible.
Voltaren is an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory cream used for muscle and joint pain.
You are not alone in being left in the dark. There is a huge lack of knowledge about TN in the medical and dental communities. Some people go years without a proper diagnosis. Your patterns and locations of pain do fit in with TN. You could have Bi-lateral TN. It is rare but there are many people on here that have it. There are no tests that diagnose TN. You need to have an MRI to rule out a tumour or MS, etc. You also need to be given medication. There are lots of different ones to try. You need to read as much about TN as possible--there is a wealth of knowledge on this website. Depending on where you are located, there may be other members that know of a doctor or specialist that knows about TN. There are several different types of TN and many doctor's count it out if your pain doesn't fit the mold.
I finally was able to get some lidocaine mouthwash. Luckily, it's been a pretty good day pain wise today, except for the intense burning in my left nostril this morning.
Is there any topical product that helps to relieve the burning? I'm still not on any meds for this because the neurologist hasn't confirmed TN. He's still running tests.
that's horrible, I would just try another neurologist until they get it right. I am really upset right now. I got a new script for Topamax today, to take before dental procedures. Mistake number one, I cut it in half and took it thinking 50 mg was to much for the first time, and my stomach feels like it will explode and I got sick.Then I looked at the directions and it says swallow whole. Then I felt hot, so I layed on my bed and put my ceiling fan on that is over my bed...about 15secs later I felt a really bad pain in my lower teeth, and it still hurts like hell. I have had this on/off pain in my lower teeth since I got my upper molar cavity filled , but I have been telling myself that the bite must be off, or I know I grind at night, that's why my lower teeth are hurting....Just like Jasmine, I am really freaking out right now. I went from pain free, just nautious and upset stomach, to now excruciating pain in lower teeth and jaw..I just put a heating pad to half my face, and I think you are right , it took the edge off a bit.. so , now I am totally confused.... I have a cavity filling apt on Tuesday, that I don't think I want to go to now, with out any stabilizing meds in me and a molar extraction on march 7th cuz it is hurting like Hell. The dentist said on the xray the filling that was recently done on this molar is very close to the nerve so he can see why it would be hurting, so I am really confused, is it TN or not or combo of both????Dr. Casey told me to get a local dr. for safety reasons , so I met with a neurologist on Monday, but I think she saw a couple folks with nerve damage due to tooth extractions like is my case and she goes, "these things usually go away in a year, nerves take a while to heal, blah, blah, " I told her , it is a month away from a yr and its getting worse... she goes," that's cause you had a filling done recently" the lady doesn't know what she is talking about.... she gave me a copy of her paperwork: she wrote down: diagnosis: atypical face pain.... I told her what I have, trigeminal neuropathy, and that a leader in the field told me this and gave her his letter, and it goes in one ear, out the other... anyways, I'm sorry Jasmine, didn't mean to turn this into me, I can just really relate to what you are going through tonight and it is Hell...
What tests is he running? The only thing I know of that they do is order an MRI for you to rule out MS, etc.
Jasmine said:
I finally was able to get some lidocaine mouthwash. Luckily, it's been a pretty good day pain wise today, except for the intense burning in my left nostril this morning.
Is there any topical product that helps to relieve the burning? I'm still not on any meds for this because the neurologist hasn't confirmed TN. He's still running tests.
Wow, that's terrible! I'm sorry that you're in misery right now. The neurologist has run blood work and I need to do a 24-hour urine collection thing that checks for protein and heavy metals. The next step after is an MRI. We're going out of town for a funeral and I'm hoping that I can get through the trip and everything without being completely miserable.
I sure hope you start feeling better. Thanks for your concern and response; I really appreciate it.
Scared & Angry gal said:
that's horrible, I would just try another neurologist until they get it right. I am really upset right now. I got a new script for Topamax today, to take before dental procedures. Mistake number one, I cut it in half and took it thinking 50 mg was to much for the first time, and my stomach feels like it will explode and I got sick.Then I looked at the directions and it says swallow whole. Then I felt hot, so I layed on my bed and put my ceiling fan on that is over my bed...about 15secs later I felt a really bad pain in my lower teeth, and it still hurts like hell. I have had this on/off pain in my lower teeth since I got my upper molar cavity filled , but I have been telling myself that the bite must be off, or I know I grind at night, that's why my lower teeth are hurting....Just like Jasmine, I am really freaking out right now. I went from pain free, just nautious and upset stomach, to now excruciating pain in lower teeth and jaw..I just put a heating pad to half my face, and I think you are right , it took the edge off a bit.. so , now I am totally confused.... I have a cavity filling apt on Tuesday, that I don't think I want to go to now, with out any stabilizing meds in me and a molar extraction on march 7th cuz it is hurting like Hell. The dentist said on the xray the filling that was recently done on this molar is very close to the nerve so he can see why it would be hurting, so I am really confused, is it TN or not or combo of both????Dr. Casey told me to get a local dr. for safety reasons , so I met with a neurologist on Monday, but I think she saw a couple folks with nerve damage due to tooth extractions like is my case and she goes, "these things usually go away in a year, nerves take a while to heal, blah, blah, " I told her , it is a month away from a yr and its getting worse... she goes," that's cause you had a filling done recently" the lady doesn't know what she is talking about.... she gave me a copy of her paperwork: she wrote down: diagnosis: atypical face pain.... I told her what I have, trigeminal neuropathy, and that a leader in the field told me this and gave her his letter, and it goes in one ear, out the other... anyways, I'm sorry Jasmine, didn't mean to turn this into me, I can just really relate to what you are going through tonight and it is Hell...
sorry you are feeling pain. I also used willow bark tincture directly on the area and it helped some, but my pain,was getting better and I am not sure if it was the tincture or just the pain dying down. Willow bark is similar to aspirin and you can get it at a natural health store. I would start with heat or cold.