My girlfriend has a really bad toothache! She has been waiting this really long holiday weekend to call a dentist. It has gotten so bad that her hearing is impaired as a result. Is this common? Should we go to the ER? I can't convince her right now but I would make her if I knew there was immediate danger.

An old mariners' trick involves holding a whole clove in your mouth, on the tooth... clove oil is an anesthetic.

I actually got her clove oil and it works pretty good but I'm really just worried about her hearing being impaired.

If there is swelling then it might be a good idea to take her to emerg. They may give her an antibiotic to get started on until she can see a dentist. Advil is a good anti-inflammatory, she could try taking that to see if it helps.