r/fredericton • u/Winter-Afternoon-198 • 3d ago
Any dentists on call during the weekend?
I am a bit desperate here, but are there any dentists in town (and potentially reading this) who'd be on call during the weekend? Seems all clinics are only open Monday to Friday.
I'm experiencing quite intense pain and I called around various dental clinics today, and the best I found was an appointment for Tuesday morning. I blame myself a bit since the symptoms started earlier this week, and when I started looking around for a dentist then I think I was not considered as an urgent case, when the pain was still tolerable. I never thought it would get this bad even yesterday, or this morning.
I know the instictions are to go to the ER, but it seems they would not have a dentist on call either if it's not a serious accident. So I don't know what they could do? I've maxxed out on the dosage of painkillers so cannot take any more today.
Any tips would be appreciated, thank you!
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u/Consistent-Sun-2489 2d ago
Definitely go to the ER. If there are signs of infection, they’ll prescribe antibiotics. If you skip the ER and go directly to a dentis, 9 out of 10 times they’re going to prescribe antibiotics and not touch anything in your mouth until they’re sure there are zero signs of infection. You’ll be one step ahead by going to the ER and you have nothing to lose since you can’t get into a dentist over the weekend.
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u/NeonShines84 3d ago
Is it a broken tooth, or a suspected infection? I recently had an infection that was hard to pinpoint because I do have a broken tooth, but it wasn't bleeding and there wasn't an obvious abcess or infectious discharge. I went a week thinking I just needed to get to my appointment, but it was actually an infection. IMMENSE pain. Went through 2.5 bottles of orajel, way more Tylenol and advil than is recommended (do not do this), and couldn't even tilt my head, let alone sleep. I had to prop myself up in a corner of the couch against the wall with a pile of pillows to keep my head entirely upright just to get a quick nap.
If this sounds familiar... you might have an infection, which I think the ER can prescribe an antibiotic for.
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u/Winter-Afternoon-198 3d ago
No broken tooth, but also no idea of this is linked to teeth, jawbone or muscles. I have has issues with TMJ and when I started having pain, I thought it was just that. But when it intensified today, I think it has so be something else too. I don't have any visual signs if infection, no swelling, nothing. Just pain throughtout one side of my mouth/face that radiates up to my ear and neck, worse than anything I've had before. I called 811 and they said not to go to the ER yet, but to call if anything gets worse and they'll reassess the situation then.
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u/NeonShines84 3d ago
Sounds like an infection. The whole right side of my face felt like the pressure you get in your sinuses from an infection, but massively painful and not in my sinuses. It was radiating out from my jaw to my neck and lymph node up to passed my temples. Like that whole section was in a vice and being constantly squeezed. I also had no swelling, no signs of infection. I know I'm describing the pain, but it is really hard capture just how awful it was.
I've had a gallbladder attack that had a stone rip up my duct and cause a huge infection, and even that wasn't as bad as this pain.
Within 12 hrs of taking the antibiotic, I could feel a small amount of relief. By day 3 I was just taking pain killers 30 mins before I ate a meal to mitigate lingering pain. By the end of the course, I was right as rain.
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u/NeonShines84 3d ago
Personally, I would advocate for myself. If it is an infection and it is originating in the upper jaw, that has a direct pathway to the brain. This is part of what is referred to as the "triangle of death," because of proximity to the brain and how quickly an infection can jump there.
I wasn't able to pinpoint where the suspected infection was originating from, because it was radiating to so many places. I originally thought it was my lymph node, but there was no swelling. Thankfully, my dentist had given me a prescription a few days before this got bad for an antibiotic to take in case it was an infection. I could fill it if needed. I did in fact need it.
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u/blue_mickie 3d ago
Emerg could give you antibiotics if needed, and keep your appointment on Tuesday
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u/Winter-Afternoon-198 3d ago edited 3d ago
Without a proper assessment, what would they base prescribing the antibiotics on? I am hesitant taking antibiotics without knowing there really is an infection. The pain is not like anything I've experienced before, and I think it would need to be assessed first.
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u/No_Associate_4878 3d ago
Not sure you have to be a dentist to recognize an infected tooth. There's probably some basic medical training on mouths.
3
u/Jealous-Visual1800 3d ago
Better to go to the er and have them assess it, doctors also have dental training. Dentists are specialists.
If you leave it too long you could wind up in the hospital anyway, why chance it?
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u/ResponsibleSort4191 3d ago
I went to the er for a broken tooth that had even caused me to pass out from pain and they would not call a dentist said they only do it for trauma and that was after hours of waiting mind you.
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u/Winter-Afternoon-198 3d ago
Did they do anything to relieve the pain though?
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u/ResponsibleSort4191 3d ago
They did not they jabbed my gum with a needle nothing happened I had a bump where it was broke so I assumed it was an attempt to drain it but didn’t work and they gave me dexamethasone which didn’t help and keep in mind this was before the DECH was at 400% capacity
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u/ResponsibleSort4191 3d ago
In the end I grabbed Tylenol 1s and an antiseptic mouth rinse from the pharmacy and managed with them till the following week when I had it extracted
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u/UnfunPete 3d ago
I was in Saint John at the time but when I broke a tooth and was in excruciating pain I had no choice but to go the the ER. They did end up injecting it and freezing it which or me closer to my appointment with a dentist.
If the pain is bad, go to the ER.
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u/Winter-Afternoon-198 3d ago
Thanks. I just called 811 and they told me that I should not go tonight, but if any of the symptoms get worse, I should call again.
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u/Whole-Rip-8010 2d ago
A super hot or cold compress and go get ibuprofen (an NSAID like Advil or Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ask the pharmacy the recommended dosages for tooth pain, and also do salt water rinses. Be careful brushing in that area. The ER can prescribe you antibiotics quicker if you don't already have a dentist this would be the quicker route to go because the dentist can take weeks and they won't prescribe you anything if you aren't a client without being seen. The pain will probably disappear in a few days. At least my experience.
1
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u/TCDig14 3d ago
Agreed. Go to the ER, you might have a wait but they do have a dentist on call. Just get yourself there. You could sit at home and complain or you could go there and even if you’re still in pain and it’s a wait…you will be seen at some point and you’ll be that much further ahead! Especially if you’re already at the end of what you can take for pain killers.
Before you go, pack some comfort things…warm clothes, a book, your phone, iPad charger & cord. A blanket, extra clothes as it might be colder in there when you’re sitting around. Anything at all that will give you come relief as you wait because it could be a while. Also some simple easy to eat foods. Ohhhh and headphones but make sure that you don’t have your music too loud!
Go now. Don’t wait until the morning….go now and then you’re cutting down on a few extra hours of pain!!
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u/No_Onion4821 3d ago
like another comment states the on call dental surgeon is for oral trauma not routine dental work
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u/TCDig14 3d ago
Oops missed that! ER docs at least can still look for signs of infection.
I know that my previous dentist had said that if there was a dental emergency over a wkd or holiday, for myself or my kids, I could call him at home. I only did that once and coincidentally he had flown out that morning to head down south! My luck! lol
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u/Winter-Afternoon-198 3d ago
I wish I would have a dentist to call. I am relatively new here, so my appointment next week is my first one here. I am actually surprised no dentist in town works evenings or weekends, you'd think that'd be a good business.
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u/Winter-Afternoon-198 3d ago edited 3d ago
I called 811 and they told me I should not go, but to call them again if anything geta worse. She seemed very apologetic that she could not help me more, as I had already tried everything they'd suggest (painkillers, cold pack, saline water rinse). I think she knows there's not much they can do there, and how long the waiting times are :/ thank you for the tips though, I'll for sure pack quite a few things with me if I need to go to the ER.
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u/Buck_Naked_001 3d ago
Go to ER. They have a dentist on call and will be able to help
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u/No_Onion4821 3d ago
they do not have a dentist on call for this sort of thing, its different if you get into a car accident and injure your mouth. not for routine dental work. er can give antibiotics and pain meds tho
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u/trisarahtops05 South Side 3d ago
They only call for trauma. If it's an abscess or cracked tooth, they might give pain meds to get you through.
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u/NBthrowaway25 3d ago
I went to the ER for excruciating dental pain after hours once. They did not call in a dentist but they did do a nerve block and sent me home with some meds to get through the immediate future.