in response to help4pain... Good advice from eutawangel. You can go to any emergency room and they will take a look, put you on antibiotic and pain meds. Tell them if you have no money for meds. They might can give you samples or advice on where to go for reduce or free meds. You really must get on antibiotics. Tooth abcesses are life threatening.
When in dire straights to pull through till we can get medical help, for mouth infections like ulcers or infected inflammations of gums, even tooth absesses, I do several home remedies that do give relief. In 2 ounces of cold water, mix in 2 ounces hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon salt. Swish 3-4 times a day for at least 30 seconds each time. This does help.
Also for pain... besides taking tylenol or ibuprofen, if you don't have any Anbesol or something like it to apply to the tooth, then break an aspirin into a small enough piece and place it directly on tooth. I've packed tooth with a tiny piece of cotton either soaked in Anbesol or on top of aspirin to hold it in place. Use heat on jaw to ease pain too. Listerine mouth washes and swishing around infected mouth infections and absesses helps too.
But, most of all.. those are temporary measures. You must get to an emergency room for antibiotics and pain meds. They can not and will not deny you care, especially if it is a county or state regional hospital. But, you have to ask for help paying for the meds... all options. Tell them you have no money for meds if that is the case. Been there, done that many times.
I am 62, disabled with rheumatoid arthritis, on Medicare, no dental insurance and little extra money. My teeth too have fallen apart over the last ten years. So I really do feel what you are going through.
