aznboy123
12-19-2008, 05:49 AM
I have 3 wisdom teeth so far and only one is impacted, and I have had them for years now. The gums surrounding my impacted tooth is swollen, and it is very painful, especially when I talk, eat or drink. The side of my throat right under my impacted tooth (which is bottom left) is very sensitive to pain. I can feel something pulling my wisdom tooth when i turn my head to the right.
1) Is it an infection? Do I need anti-bacterial treatment?
2) is my wisdom tooth hitting against my nerve? If so, how much time do I have to extract it before I get permanent damage to my nerve?
2a) What's the price range for a tooth extraction without insurance? Am I looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars? I have no insurance for any dental.
3) In similar threads, people are offered painkillers by their doctors. Does it mean the pain is only temporary?
1) Is it an infection? Do I need anti-bacterial treatment?
2) is my wisdom tooth hitting against my nerve? If so, how much time do I have to extract it before I get permanent damage to my nerve?
2a) What's the price range for a tooth extraction without insurance? Am I looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars? I have no insurance for any dental.
3) In similar threads, people are offered painkillers by their doctors. Does it mean the pain is only temporary?
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dogeyed
12-19-2008, 10:24 AM
You need to get the impacted wisdom tooth pulled. You have a raging infection, which is how come the gum is swollen, plus the infection has drained down to the lymph nodes in your neck, which is how come that hurts. They may want to clear up the infection before pulling it, in which case they will give you antibiotics first, and then make another appointment to pull it. Pulling a tooth is not very expensive, a couple hundred dollars max. If you cannot afford it, most county clinics in the U.S. have a dental department and they can pull it for about $10 to $50 plus cost of antibiotics, which is minimal. You will not need pain killers for it, just ordinary aspirin will knock it back for the few days that it might be sore after it's pulled. I've had all my wisdom teeth pulled and this is fairly common. As for nerve damage, that is the least of your problems. If the tooth abscesses, which is when puss gathers in a pocket, it can burst out, sometimes right through your face, and make a scar there, so don't wait around to visit the dentist.
rudiraven
12-19-2008, 01:36 PM
I think you mentioned that your wisdom tooth was impacted. You will need to see an oral surgeon to have the tooth removed. Not sure how much it will cost in your area, but if you talk with the dental office I'm sure something can be worked out. You will need to take an antibiotic first to clear up the infection and then they'll do the surgery. You will most probably be given pain meds for afterward, some sort of Tylenol or such. Don't take aspirin. It thins your blood and you don't want that before or after surgery. Now go take care of yourself :)
aznboy123
12-19-2008, 09:54 PM
wow, sounds pretty serious. I don't know when I will have it pulled out, and I need to talk to my parents. Do you think waiting a few weeks before pulling it out is okay?
If anyone knows where I can find a dental department in San Francisco (or near) that will pull it for a cheap price let me know.
If anyone knows where I can find a dental department in San Francisco (or near) that will pull it for a cheap price let me know.
tjlhb
12-20-2008, 02:56 AM
If anyone knows where I can find a dental department in San Francisco (or near) that will pull it for a cheap price let me know.
There is UCSF School of Dentistry, if you want to help teach student dentists (under the supervision of dental school instructors).
There is UCSF School of Dentistry, if you want to help teach student dentists (under the supervision of dental school instructors).
bocmember01
12-20-2008, 12:35 PM
If you don't have facial swelling, fever, tender lymph nodes then it sounds like a localized infection. While awaiting treatment I'd suggest soft foods, warm salt water rinses, and gentle brushing. SF has an Oral Surgery department at SF General Hospital which you might want to consider as an option.
aznboy123
12-20-2008, 05:19 PM
I dont see any obvious swelling, but my lymph nodes on one side of my neck is pretty tender and sensitive to pressure.
I'm trying to avoid medical bills. Is it a bad idea to do nothing and wait it out?
What caused the infection? Is it related to my impacted wisdom tooth?
I'm trying to avoid medical bills. Is it a bad idea to do nothing and wait it out?
What caused the infection? Is it related to my impacted wisdom tooth?
tjlhb
12-20-2008, 10:19 PM
What caused the infection? Is it related to my impacted wisdom tooth?
You'll probably have to see a dentist to get a proper diagnosis.
Is the impacted wisdom tooth partially exposed? If so, it may be more difficult than normal to clean, allowing bacteria to grow there better and cause more trouble. Then again, if you have not been to a dentist in a while, the condition of your teeth and gums may not be very good and more vulnerable to infections in general.
You'll probably have to see a dentist to get a proper diagnosis.
Is the impacted wisdom tooth partially exposed? If so, it may be more difficult than normal to clean, allowing bacteria to grow there better and cause more trouble. Then again, if you have not been to a dentist in a while, the condition of your teeth and gums may not be very good and more vulnerable to infections in general.