EDIT; I can’t reply to everyone individually but thanks for all the suggestions! Opiates are out of the question, doctors here will only prescribe those in terms of absolutely extreme suffering or end of life care. I also don’t particularly feel interested in developing a hard drug habit. Diclofenac and such are available but also only on separate prescriptions, I’d have to visit another doctor for that. I’m well stocked on paracetamol & ibuprofen, and apart from that, lots of ice cream, pudding & soup :)

Also, since a fair few people seem to doubt the veracity of my story, here’s the 22 extracted teeth (the other 10 were already gone in previous extractions).

  • Mothra@mander.xyz
    331·
    4 months ago

    +1 wondering why someone in their 40s had to have all teeth extracted. I’m really sorry.

    • Kyrgizion@lemmy.worldOP
      28·
      4 months ago

      I’ve had issues with my teeth almost since birth. My parents both had full dentures by ages 25 or so. It was definitely a combination of genetics and bad oral hygiene. I was actually glad to get them all out now because I’ve suffered from debilitating pain for weeks at least once or twice every single year of my life.

      • TexasDrunk@lemmy.world
        15·
        4 months ago

        I feel you. I grew up on well water (no fluoride), have a genetic predisposition for terribly crooked teeth, and wasn’t taught basic oral hygiene until I was legally an adult.

        I’ve had several extractions but every time it has been either an abscess or an impacted tooth, so just the relief from that pain was almost like a drug itself. About half my teeth are fake at this point and the ones that are left are in pretty good shape because they weren’t too far gone when I actually learned how to properly take care of them.

        • JoYo 🇺🇸@lemmy.mlEnglish
          34·
          4 months ago

          fluoride in water doesn’t do much to prevent tooth decay.

          the fluoride in toothpaste is what does all heavy lifting.

          • TexasDrunk@lemmy.world
            10·
            4 months ago

            Fluoride in water can help if you’re not taught proper care and feeding of teeth, but you are right. The fluoride in toothpaste is what should be doing the heavy lifting.

      • Mothra@mander.xyz
        2·
        4 months ago

        Thanks for sharing - I’m glad to know this is an improvement for you in spite of everything. I hope the pain eases soon!

      • CascadianGiraffe@lemmy.world
        2·
        4 months ago

        I’m in a similar situation. Have tried to get where you’re at, but have been quoted in the $30,000 price range. There is no insurance that covers any of that cost, and they all want payment up front.

        Any suggestions?

      • intensely_human@lemm.ee
        2·
        4 months ago

        I’m so sorry to hear about the pain. Doctors don’t take oral pain seriously enough.

        Don’t forget you can ice it too. Alternating ibuprofen/acetominophen thing is your best bet outside of more serious pain meds, but ice is effective for numbing pain.