Abscess + dental phobia + doctors won’t help

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MyLittlePony25

Hi guys,
I have what I am sure is an abscess in a top front tooth. I have been in a lot of pain but I have a severe phobia of the dentist. I also cannot get to an emergency dentist as it is too far away. I don’t drive and money is really bad at the moment so I don’t have money for public transport or the basic cost of nhs treatment (I have £5 to last until Monday), I don’t have family by me to drive me and support me.
I asked if my doctors could prescribe me antibiotics for now until I can find a dentist to help with my phobia and treatment but they have said that can’t.
Please can anyone help? Does anyone have any advice? I’m in a lot of pain and can’t eat, my anxiety is a mess and I just want to cry. I don’t know what to do, the doctors know I have severe anxiety and MH problems having been in hospital for 2 years. I can’t just switch off the anxiety and the phobia and I wish I had a support system to help but I don’t.
im going to go and curl up in bed and try not to rip my own teeth out.
 
O

orange club biscuit

Sorry to hear you’re struggling. If money is an issue some hospitals have emergency dental departments that will treat you for free. They’re sometimes teaching hospitals so you will get the highest level of care/supervision (source; I have a close friend who is a dentist and recently did her training at one of these hospitals).

do you have any friends or neighbours who might help you out and help you get somewhere? I’m sure if you reached out and explained that you are in pain/having a hard time you might be surprised about the help you might receive x
 
Fizzwhizz2020

Fizzwhizz2020

Oh bless you. So sorry that you’re going through that. Dental abscesses are painful. Have you got a credit card or anything that you can put the treatment on, or as the poster above says, maybe go to the hospital? They might have a dental department or a dentist on call. I know having the phobia isn’t helping, but maybe you could ring a de fist to get some advice or see if they could prescribe you antibiotics as an emergency as you can’t get there just yet?
 
P

Pixipoppy

Hi that sounds awful. If it’s an infection or abscess the dentist usually wouldn’t need to do any drilling or even much poking about, they will just prescribe you antibiotics. If you ring the emergency dentist and explain I’m sure they will be able to help you as it sounds like you’re in a lot of pain. I did think GPs could prescribe Valium for nervous patients but maybe not anymore!
 
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M

MyLittlePony25

Thank you guys. I’m waiting for my dad to get home from work and then I’m going to call him and probably cry my eyes out. What’s worse is I just went to pick up my controlled drugs and the doctors haven’t sent it to the pharmacy! One of them is for anxiety and I get bad withdrawals, they have done this so many times this year so far and this week my care co is on annual leave so can’t help me sort it out 😔

I picked up some cocodamol and some more ibruprofen so I’m hoping that will kick in until I can get something sorted. Unfortunately I don’t think the doctors will prescribe Valium as I’m on a lot of other medications but I will see if a dentist would sort a prescription for me without having to do anything else. I know years ago I had a terrible abscess that caused my face to swell up and I couldnt open my eyes and the hospital local to my dad had an emergency dentist or at least they prescribed me antibiotics! I don’t think my local hospital does but I will find out.

I plan on working on my phobia and getting my teeth sorted this year as it would be nice to be able to smile again.

thank you for being kind to me. I know I should have got my teeth sorted years ago but mental illness got in the way.
 
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mochibean

mochibean

MyLittlePony25 said:
I plan on working on my phobia and getting my teeth sorted this year as it would be nice to be able to smile again.

thank you for being kind to me. I know I should have got my teeth sorted years ago but mental illness got in the way.
Click to expand...
Me too, I don't have anything in the way of advice as I'm currently too anxious to go to the dentist but just know not you're not alone, mental illness and phobias are so hard to deal with. In the past I mustered up courage and had a lot done and it was nowhere near as bad as I thought but doesn't stop me still putting things off until it's unbearable.

I hope you get things sorted. I know some dentists do offer sedation, usually private ones though.


In fact I do have advice, if you can at all get to an emergency dentist they will only look & prescribe you antibiotics, they will not do any treatment unless you need it. (like a temp filling in the abscessed tooth) but if you don't need it they won't do anything at all other than look.
GP's don't seem to prescribe them for dental problems, I went in the past and despite seeing the abscess they said as it's a dental issue it's up to my dentist to take the best cause of action.
 
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P

Penguinandthepinecone

Poor you. You can do it, be brave, put your trust in the dentist and just get yourself booked into the quickest NHS appointment you can get. Forget about the money issue for now. Let them look at your teeth and tell you what you need. If you can’t pay for the appointment, I’m sure they’ll work out a plan of action with you once you’ve had your check-up....they’re hardly going to call the police at the reception counter. You really must not delay, you stand a a significant chance of losing the tooth and even losing bone on density on the jaw the longer you leave an abscess. It’s very traumatic losing a tooth in your smile line (I know), so for now you must do whatever you can to try and get that tooth saved. Worry about everything else once you’ve seen a dentist.
 
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Maracas

Maracas

You don’t have to explain yourself! My son had a bad abscess over the new year (he’s 5 and bleeping loves ketchup 🙄) somebody else mentioned there will be no intrusive procedure just a check and then antibiotics usually.

If they do need to pull your tooth you’ll be so glad of the relief honestly.

What I found useful was the alternate between hot and cold, so put some frozen peas on the mouth and then take off, back on again and off etc etc.

I hope you feel better soon it’s the worst thing ever I’ve had one before
 
M

mcfeez

You poor thing. Dental pain sucks.

In terms of the phobia, if it is an abscess, the dentist should know very quickly and your appointment will not even be very long - I had a gum infection a few months ago (and it was right at the back) she looked in for a minute or too using the mirrors and was able to tell straight away. Signed me up with antibiotic and mouthwash - in and out 10 mins.
 
Milliehaha123

Milliehaha123

Hello! I am a dentist. Please please do not suffer because of your anxieties. Abscesses are nasty but really easy to treat. Ring up your dentist before you go and explain that you have a phobia and you are extremely nervous (you will be surprised how many calls like this we get) they might talk you through a few things and ask a few questions. I promise you that all we will need to do if it is an abscess is looks very quickly in your mouth and like the previous poster says it might be a simple case of antibiotics.
In terms of money- most check ups at the dentists are around £25. Ring and see if your dentist does a payment plan, they might do. Good luck but get this sorted ASAP xx
 
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ClockworkDolly

ClockworkDolly

MyLittlePony25 said:
Hi guys,
I have what I am sure is an abscess in a top front tooth. I have been in a lot of pain but I have a severe phobia of the dentist. I also cannot get to an emergency dentist as it is too far away. I don’t drive and money is really bad at the moment so I don’t have money for public transport or the basic cost of nhs treatment (I have £5 to last until Monday), I don’t have family by me to drive me and support me.
I asked if my doctors could prescribe me antibiotics for now until I can find a dentist to help with my phobia and treatment but they have said that can’t.
Please can anyone help? Does anyone have any advice? I’m in a lot of pain and can’t eat, my anxiety is a mess and I just want to cry. I don’t know what to do, the doctors know I have severe anxiety and MH problems having been in hospital for 2 years. I can’t just switch off the anxiety and the phobia and I wish I had a support system to help but I don’t.
im going to go and curl up in bed and try not to rip my own teeth out.
Click to expand...
Abscesses are a bloody awful pain to have to cope with. No dentist will work on your abscess/tooth until the swelling has gone down, in which case they will usually give you a prescription for antibiotics. Please do try and go to your nearest emergency dentist and explain your fears. I too am petrified of the dentist and when I’ve opened up about my fear, they have been understanding and have assigned me to a dentist who deals with nervous patients.

I suffer with anxiety myself and know that you cannot just switch it off at will and it very often comes at you when you least expect it to. 💚

Please try and find an emergency dentist, I am sure they would be willing to help you.
 
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4tuhju

4tuhju

I have a phobia of the dentist too and just had to have a lot of dental work done. Phone the dentist and explain your situation (get someone to do that for you of the phone calls a bit much) they should be able to prescribe you some antibiotics over the phone, if they have to see you it will only be to check it out nothing invasive. Get back on the phone to your doctors about your dental phobia they gave me a couple of diazepam each time I needed to go. I went from panic attacks to happily sitting in dentist chair having root canals. Hope you're getting on ok ♥
 
F

FakeSmile

Corsodyl mouthwash and an interspace toothbrush temporarily helped me when I had an abscess and couldn’t get to the dentist. It was recommended to me by the emergency dentist who I spoke to over the phone and wouldn’t prescribe antibiotics because I was days away from giving birth!
 
M

MyLittlePony25

Hey guys, so sorry for the late reply.
So, I know I’m stupid and I’m well aware of it now 🤦🏼‍♀️
I thought that as I didn’t have swelling, I could hold off for a while and deal with the pain. Until today...

I woke up with slight swelling, I haven’t slept well at all so I napped again. I woke up and it was even bigger and has been getting bigger and bigger all day.

I called my Dad but he couldn’t leave work as he was out of the workshop at a customers house but he has said he will come and take me to the emergency dentist tomorrow.

I know I’m stupid for putting it off and allowing it to get like this. My top lip looks like I have had botched botox, I can’t wear my glasses as the swelling is up to my bottom eyelid and it causes more pressure and pain. So first thing tomorrow he is coming and we are calling 111 to get an emergency appointment. He knows my phobia and anxiety so I’ll be grateful for his support and to be honest, I think the pain is now overriding the anxiety, I just want some relief!

Thank you all for your messages, I will let you know how it goes. I’ve taken my medication now and I hope I can get some sleep, even if it’s just a couple of hours.
 
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Magee

Magee

MyLittlePony25 said:
Hey guys, so sorry for the late reply.
So, I know I’m stupid and I’m well aware of it now 🤦🏼‍♀️
I thought that as I didn’t have swelling, I could hold off for a while and deal with the pain. Until today...

I woke up with slight swelling, I haven’t slept well at all so I napped again. I woke up and it was even bigger and has been getting bigger and bigger all day.

I called my Dad but he couldn’t leave work as he was out of the workshop at a customers house but he has said he will come and take me to the emergency dentist tomorrow.

I know I’m stupid for putting it off and allowing it to get like this. My top lip looks like I have had botched botox, I can’t wear my glasses as the swelling is up to my bottom eyelid and it causes more pressure and pain. So first thing tomorrow he is coming and we are calling 111 to get an emergency appointment. He knows my phobia and anxiety so I’ll be grateful for his support and to be honest, I think the pain is now overriding the anxiety, I just want some relief!

Thank you all for your messages, I will let you know how it goes. I’ve taken my medication now and I hope I can get some sleep, even if it’s just a couple of hours.
Click to expand...
I really hope you’re ok ❤ Xxxx
 
ClockworkDolly

ClockworkDolly

MyLittlePony25 said:
Hey guys, so sorry for the late reply.
So, I know I’m stupid and I’m well aware of it now 🤦🏼‍♀️
I thought that as I didn’t have swelling, I could hold off for a while and deal with the pain. Until today...

I woke up with slight swelling, I haven’t slept well at all so I napped again. I woke up and it was even bigger and has been getting bigger and bigger all day.

I called my Dad but he couldn’t leave work as he was out of the workshop at a customers house but he has said he will come and take me to the emergency dentist tomorrow.

I know I’m stupid for putting it off and allowing it to get like this. My top lip looks like I have had botched botox, I can’t wear my glasses as the swelling is up to my bottom eyelid and it causes more pressure and pain. So first thing tomorrow he is coming and we are calling 111 to get an emergency appointment. He knows my phobia and anxiety so I’ll be grateful for his support and to be honest, I think the pain is now overriding the anxiety, I just want some relief!

Thank you all for your messages, I will let you know how it goes. I’ve taken my medication now and I hope I can get some sleep, even if it’s just a couple of hours.
Click to expand...
I hope you get it all sorted. Dental pain is very hard to cope with.
 
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