everythingisinorder
06-21-2008, 08:23 PM
Background: I've never been to a dentist in my life (I'm 15 now.). When I was younger, I'd have to beg my parents for toothbrushes and toothpaste. At some point, I gave up because they just stopped buying it for me. As of late, I've been asking to be taken to a dentist, but it's just not going to happen... I haven't seen a GP in a long time either [I've only seen my Ndoc for epilepsy](and I can't find a free clinic or any walk-in that works with my [crappy] insurance either), so I really have no medical professional to ask this stuff to. As such, I really ask you to forgive my ignorance.
Anyway, I've been experiencing some jaw pain for a long time. Sometimes it would get so bad that I'd get extreme headaches with the jaw pain, and feel febrile. Due to the fever-like symptoms, I figured I had wisdom teeth coming in. And it felt as such; I felt a pressure pushing under my molar (on my right lower jaw, which is where the bulk of the pain came from). The nerves in my teeth were also extremely sensitive, but I've amounted that to being just the teeth rotting. My parents' solution was giving me percocets from my dad's heart surgery (which didn't really help in doing much but knocking me out).
Anywho, that back molar on my right side has been coming off in chunks of teeth, and it feels like there's something underneath it, be it just swollen tissue or an actual wisdom tooth. There's no longer any of the extreme pain, but instead I find that there's this lump under where the molar is/was that hurts a bit when pushing the lower jaw. (It also hurts quite a bit when I open my mouth too wide... It makes eating very difficult at times.) It's noticable if you can compare the sides of my jaw; one is strongly defined (German genes..), and the other is very soft, due to the lump under my jaw.
Should I be worried about this? Don't tell me to visit a doctor, I'm working on it (hint: the plan involves turning 18, but keeping an active eye open in the meantime and hoping something turns up). I just need to know if I should look out for symptoms that would indicate a need for emergency care. Plus, if there's any home remedy for it, it'd be nice to have my boyfriend be able to caress my cheek without me saying "ow". ;P
Thank you very much for your time.
- Allison
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It just occured to me that the softness of face could be due to weight gain. I've remained a static 110lbs for the past two years, though. Thanks.
//////edit
Hehe, something else occurred. No, the lump wouldn't be caused by any trauma during seizure because although the official Dx is "seizure disorder NOS", we're suspecting juvenile myoclonic. Myoclonic seizures are jerks of certain muscle groups, and it's typically in my arms/legs, never the face unless it's a complex partial seizure.
Also, I haven't seen my Ndoc in forever either (10 months?) due to the laziness of my parents and the lack of friends that drive on my part, so I haven't been able to ask her about the lump thing either. The lump has become more prominent in the past 2/3 months or so. Thanks.
Anyway, I've been experiencing some jaw pain for a long time. Sometimes it would get so bad that I'd get extreme headaches with the jaw pain, and feel febrile. Due to the fever-like symptoms, I figured I had wisdom teeth coming in. And it felt as such; I felt a pressure pushing under my molar (on my right lower jaw, which is where the bulk of the pain came from). The nerves in my teeth were also extremely sensitive, but I've amounted that to being just the teeth rotting. My parents' solution was giving me percocets from my dad's heart surgery (which didn't really help in doing much but knocking me out).
Anywho, that back molar on my right side has been coming off in chunks of teeth, and it feels like there's something underneath it, be it just swollen tissue or an actual wisdom tooth. There's no longer any of the extreme pain, but instead I find that there's this lump under where the molar is/was that hurts a bit when pushing the lower jaw. (It also hurts quite a bit when I open my mouth too wide... It makes eating very difficult at times.) It's noticable if you can compare the sides of my jaw; one is strongly defined (German genes..), and the other is very soft, due to the lump under my jaw.
Should I be worried about this? Don't tell me to visit a doctor, I'm working on it (hint: the plan involves turning 18, but keeping an active eye open in the meantime and hoping something turns up). I just need to know if I should look out for symptoms that would indicate a need for emergency care. Plus, if there's any home remedy for it, it'd be nice to have my boyfriend be able to caress my cheek without me saying "ow". ;P
Thank you very much for your time.
- Allison
////edit
It just occured to me that the softness of face could be due to weight gain. I've remained a static 110lbs for the past two years, though. Thanks.
//////edit
Hehe, something else occurred. No, the lump wouldn't be caused by any trauma during seizure because although the official Dx is "seizure disorder NOS", we're suspecting juvenile myoclonic. Myoclonic seizures are jerks of certain muscle groups, and it's typically in my arms/legs, never the face unless it's a complex partial seizure.
Also, I haven't seen my Ndoc in forever either (10 months?) due to the laziness of my parents and the lack of friends that drive on my part, so I haven't been able to ask her about the lump thing either. The lump has become more prominent in the past 2/3 months or so. Thanks.
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soliloquy
06-21-2008, 09:02 PM
Allison,
It sounds like you probably have an abscess (infection) in your jaw from the rotten tooth. This cannot be treated with home remedies. You need antibiotics and either a root canal or an extraction. I'm so sorry your parents won't take you to a dentist. Three years is way too long to wait to have your tooth treated. Is there some way you can get some help through your school? This really could become a serious problem. I hope you can get some help.
It sounds like you probably have an abscess (infection) in your jaw from the rotten tooth. This cannot be treated with home remedies. You need antibiotics and either a root canal or an extraction. I'm so sorry your parents won't take you to a dentist. Three years is way too long to wait to have your tooth treated. Is there some way you can get some help through your school? This really could become a serious problem. I hope you can get some help.
everythingisinorder
06-21-2008, 09:13 PM
Sigh. Well, I'm working this summer, so I'm going to save up for an appointment. Plus, the boyfriend should be getting his license as soon as he sets up an appointment at the DMV. I'll be working at my high school (in the office), so when the nurse comes back in August, I'll talk to her. Do you have an estimate for price of the appointment and/or procedure/s?
Thank you so much for responding.
Thank you so much for responding.
taape
06-21-2008, 11:32 PM
You might consider going to a dental school in your area. They will treat patients who have no money to pay.
Having an abscess can be serious. I just had one and I even visit a dentist often. Besides the tooth and gum pain I got physically ill. The infection can leave the tooth/gum/mouth and get into your blood system and go right to your heart. It's nothing to mess around with. After a certain point the infection just gets so severe, your young so maybe you won't get so sick but you need to get antibiotics for the infection.
The treatment I had was a root canal to get rid of the infection and kill the tooth. It was very expensive -$1200 plus then getting a crown. Check out a dental school, please.
You could also consider going to your County Health Dept as they also see people who are low income and can't afford to pay. You probably don't want to hear this but your parents are responsible to make sure you get proper medical treatment and it sounds like they are refusing so report this to a Social Worker at your County Health Department. The Social Worker is obligated to check into this. I hope you can get this handled soon.
Having an abscess can be serious. I just had one and I even visit a dentist often. Besides the tooth and gum pain I got physically ill. The infection can leave the tooth/gum/mouth and get into your blood system and go right to your heart. It's nothing to mess around with. After a certain point the infection just gets so severe, your young so maybe you won't get so sick but you need to get antibiotics for the infection.
The treatment I had was a root canal to get rid of the infection and kill the tooth. It was very expensive -$1200 plus then getting a crown. Check out a dental school, please.
You could also consider going to your County Health Dept as they also see people who are low income and can't afford to pay. You probably don't want to hear this but your parents are responsible to make sure you get proper medical treatment and it sounds like they are refusing so report this to a Social Worker at your County Health Department. The Social Worker is obligated to check into this. I hope you can get this handled soon.