Advice Needed - Dental Health Message Board

mbdude57 · 07-14-2004, 04:41 PM

For the past ten days I've had a molar rising up and loosening and it's causing tremendous pain to the whole side of my head.Even worse, it has risin so much i'm unable to close my mouth enough to bite through a sandwich.Going to dentist is impossible,poor due to worker's comp,no ins.and desperate for some ideas.Will it continue to loosen,possibly enough to yank it myself?If so,how long?

dely1112 · 07-15-2004, 03:04 PM

Dear mbdude57,

I have a hard time believing there are any on this board who will recommend you yanking your own tooth. In addition to that, to have the whole side of your head hurt, and not being able to close your mouth........

Try to find a dentist who will take payments. Maybe there is a dental school in your area. Something - but don't try to do it yourself, or continue to live in pain. At least - go get a consultation, many dentist's do that for free.

Good luck, and let us know how you are.

Debbi

blj97 · 07-15-2004, 05:18 PM

I know where I live if you go to the emergency room they have to treat you insurance or not and you dont have to pay at the time of service. I would at least see if you can get an appointment with a dentist for some antibiotics it sounds like you have quite the infetion going on in there and that will get more painful the longer you wait .

Kikki · 07-15-2004, 05:22 PM

When you mentioned yanking it yourself, the only thing I could think about was that scene in Castaway where Hanks takes a rock and shatters his own tooth to drain the absess. OUCH!

You probably have an absess that is causing all of the pain and has irritated the supporting structures that hold your tooth in and that is why it is rising up and getting loose. Tooth infections can cause a great deal of pain, and can even lead to systemic infections that can potentially be life threatening if left untreated. I agree, you should find a good dentist and see if you can work out a payment schedule. Many many dentists will be glad to accomodate you. There are also credit unions that will make loans for dental and medical work that might be worth looking in to. If you find a dentist you like and want to take this route, ask him (or the office staff! - they usually know better!!!) about the best ones. Dental schools are a good way to go as well and may be worth even a few hours drive to get the tooth treated.

Good luck - I hope you can find relief!

cookiepls · 07-17-2004, 12:36 PM

Mbdude57

I can sure relate to your problem. I'm in the same boat as you. No insurance, not a dime to spare either. Plus I have really bad teeth. Maybe you can find a dentist in your area who will take payments. I live in a small resort city where the dentists are used to dealing with patients with means. I couldn't find one dentist who would accept payments. All payments were due at time work was done. No exceptions. I tried the credit route but was denied. Here's what I ended up having to do: I had a terrible bone infection and pain beyond belief. (Imaging putting your cheek on a hot stove burner set to high) I'm not kidding. I was wishing someone would just shoot me. I had my mother-in-law drive to me to the emergency room where I asked the doctor who examined me to give me a shot to numb the area and to prescribe antibiotics. He didn't have novacane (spelling) but he prescribed some kind of narcotic pills. Only 4 which would last 4 days ( just in case I was just an addict trying to get a fix. )My mother-in-law, God bless her, bought my antibiotic prescription for me.
You will get a large bill from the emergency room but at least you'll be able to get rid of the infection. And you will be able to pay the bill as you can afford it.