(Sorry - I accidentally posted this on the US Forum first!)

We're leaving in 13 days for the U.K. and I needed two new crowns, which were put in a couple of weeks ago. I had to go back yesterday due to severe pain on one of them because it was "riding" too high. The pain went away, thank goodness, but now the whole side of my face looks as if it belongs to a chipmunk! I'm on antibiotics, but THIS BETTER GET RESOLVED BY MAY 12TH!!! Wish me luck!

Oh twina49 I am so sorry! However the antibiotics should take care of your problem if you take them faithfully until your prescription is finished. I have been told that it takes about 48 hours for antibiotics to "kick in" so don't panic just yet as it sounds like you have only been on them for 24 hours.

Of course very good wishes are sent to you, what bad timing. Thank goodness this didn't happen in the UK however. Take good care of yourself and do take your meds on schedule and don't stop taking them until the prescription is finished.

We must be twins..we leave next Thursday for 2 months trip back East (we are in San Diego). My crown also fell out and guess what, new one riding high also and I have pain. Going this afternoon for "adjustment".

Good luck. By the way I always have something happen before a trip...must be stress?..

Oh, Twina, so sorry, wish you healthy vacation time!

Talk to your insurance, make sure you have all phone and addresses ready just in case.

This may make you feel better. At work I complained - my husband goes to a dentist only with emergencies, and a co-worker said her boyfriend is the same way. Once both her bf and dog had toothache at the same time, so she gave pills prescribed by a vet to both!

Twina & Loisco - I sooooooooooooo feel for you. Ouch, ick, what a miserable thing. I loath teeth problems, I literally just shuddered for you!

My sympathies, I hope you both get better soon, if I knew how to make those flower icons, I would for you! T.

Thanks so much to everyone for the good wishes! I thought I was being really good by having this done a few weeks ago, not realizing I'd still be dealing with it so close to our trip.

Loisco - I hope we both get better soon!

Sorry about your woes...dental problems are the WORST. I always worry about this before I travel. You can find do-it-yourself crown cement at the drugstore, which my dentist advised is a good option. In a pinch, you can also coat the inside of the crown with toothpaste (not the gel type) and it will stay on securely, as well as provide a little antiseptic. I had a crown come off when traveling once, so found out all my options. I'm sure you'll be good as new by May 12. Have a great trip!

My story...on a plane to London, bite into the British Airways muffin, and feel a chip come off my tooth (damn nuts)..so I land in London, easter weekend, meet a friend, and we spend the next half day looking for a dental surgeon, find one who is willing to come out, he puts in a temporary 'patch', 200 pounds charge...and then holidays begin

Please double check your post on the US board. These symptoms don;t sound right for just having a crown done - and it might be as well to consult an expert ASAP.

(An improperly fitted crown can be excrutiating in flight because the air trapped underneath expands.)

I agree, it sounds like you might need a root canal. Now wouldn't that be something! But hopefully, the antibiotics should do the trick -- temporarily anyway.

Last week, I ended up with an infected tooth due to a periodontal problem. I'm leaving next week for a 2-week trip to Germany & Austria. My dentist immediately put me on antibiotics and told me to see my periodontist. After the first 2 capsules my pain was almost gone and the swelling had gone down.

I ended up having gum surgery which is healing nicely. I was given a presciption for penicillin to take with me on my trip in case of any flare ups. I'd ask your dentist for a prescription also as well as some pain medication.

In December I cancelled/postponed our trip to Rome because of a root canal done a month earlier. It just wouldn't settle down even with antibiotics, and I was not happy with the idea of not being able to eat easily or just feel uncomfortable for the ten days' trip. Not to mention finding a dentist or having it pulled while away from home. Just not my idea of a vacation!

Now we are going to England the end of May and I am keeping my fingers crossed. The same root canal STILL has some inflammation. It is okay as long as I take occasional ibuprofen, but it resurfaces a few days after I stop. It was treated for being too high which helped a little but did not really solve the problem.

You have my sympathy- I am afraid I think teeth are a PAIN! I am going back to the endodontist in a week- he has said that some people just take a long time completely recovering from root canals. His wife took over six months one time!

Well dear readers I would like to share a horrible story with you. Just so that anyone who has had a root canal or a cap that continues to be a problem will be aware of a potential problem.

Years ago we were suppose to fly to Sarasota to stay with relatives in Long Boat Key. I woke up two days before the flight with my first every toothache. The dentist saw me the same morning. Long story short I had to have a root canal. I was sent to the specialist and the root canal was done. A temporary cap was put on. I was given antibiotics.
I have never had such a miserable flight or vacation in all my life.

After I returned home the permanent cap was put on. I had pain on and off for years. I cannot remember how many exrays were taken. I did not ignore this problem, believe me. I can't remember how many dentist I saw. They all, highly respected dentist by the way, said "there is not problem". Maybe not for them but there sure was for me.

Finally moved to Vacaville where I live now. One day the tooth next to the tooth that had been a problem got a bad pain. I was sent to a specialist, the dentist that does root canals, can't remember the proper term for them. He too exrayed my teeth.

GUESS WHAT? The cap that I had due to the root canal years before had been put on with cotton left in the cavity. Can you imagine? He saw "something suspicious" when he exrayed that portion of my tooth. When he removed the cap he pulled out a horrible cotton pack. I actually started to cry. Almost vomited too. An experience I still shudder about. But since this incident was cleared up about three years ago I have never had a problem.

Gross story I know but I am sharing it so that anyone that has dental work and then consequently has problems afterwards will be aware that obviously there is a problem.


I will never again have a pain in a tooth and have so called experts tell me "everything is alright" when obviously "everything is not alright".

I have an appointment to see an endodontist on Wednesday (she also happens to be my neighbor, so I may just have to mosey over to her house this weekend....) I'm on antibiotics and I was given a prescription for a vicodin (sp?)-type pain killer if needed, which I could have used Wednesday night but haven't needed since!

It's just my completely unmedical, personal opinion, but I think I'm reacting more to the novacaine shot than the actual work on the crown. The swelling originates where the injection went in and spreads throughot my check. The crown area doesn't hurt at all, and no swelling in the gum area.... Weird, huh? I'll have to see what the endodontist has to say on Wednesday. Thanks!

twina49, Novacaine, my late daughter and also my stepdaughter - allergic to novacaine. So that may be your problem. If so I would think that your problem would subside in a few days. Again, best wishes to you, I sure feel your pain and anxiety.