Can I hang on through the pain?? Advice needed (dental TMI)

[LilyoftheValley]

Apparently I have two awful wisdom teeth. They're only partially out of the gums and I have a small mouth, so basically they're impossible to keep clean. One is not horrid, but should probably go while they're in there. Thank heaven for small gifts, I didn't get a fourth.

My previous incompetent dentist never mentioned this, so things are really in a bad state now. A few weeks ago, I started having chunks falling out of my upper left tooth during flossing due to advanced decay. It was like living one of those nightmares where your teeth crumble. (I warned you about TMI!)

I've been taking ibuprofen since early August to try to last this out until January 1st, when I will have 100% dental coverage for the $1000 this will cost. But last night I woke up in the middle of the night from aching jaw pain and couldn't get back to sleep. Now I'm thinking I should just scrounge up the money (it's a lot of money for a stay-at-home-mother of an infant who never goes out to eat or to the movies, and buys baby stuff used). I keep worrying that the decay will spread and I'll be very sorry for delaying.

They have a cancellation for Friday, so I can go in right away. But before I do, are there any alternatives at all for me to help stick it out that won't cause permanent damage or involve throwing good money after bad?

Thanks to anyone who read this far... *ouch*

[Hanna]

Wow, I don't know. I had a painful tooth January - April. It wasn't a matter of not going to the dentist or having the money, but after the first visit and an x-ray they couldn't find anything wrong with the tooth. They sent me on my way with antibiotics and instructions to come back if it got too bad.

The pain came and went. I managed with Advil, but a few times it was really bad. When it started to be constant pain, I went back for a root canal. What a relief.

I guess for me, then money I spent ($2000 for a root canal and crown) was well worth it. Pain sucks and can affect other aspects of your life. Rate the pain on a 1-10 scale and if it is above a 6 or 7 I'd go get the teeth pulled.

[alice_in_wonderland]

Jan 1 is a long way away.

Keep in mind that the mouth is dern close to the brain. Actively decaying teeth are a hot bed for bacteria and infection to grow. Having an infection close to your brain is probably not a good idea. Dito if you have any sort of congenital heart defects.

I suppose you could wait until they become horribly abscessed and infected and have them removed in an emergency room, but I'm inclined to believe that would cost more than $1,000 in the end.

[whiterabbit]

If they're falling apart and hurting, I'd get them out somehow. Does your dentist bill? Mine does -- I'm in the middle of getting a crown (my first, and hopefully only) and I had to put down $150 at the start but am being billed for the rest. As long as they get something each month they'll be happy. It can't hurt to ask them, right?

[LilyoftheValley]

Thanks for the replies. It does seem kind of silly when I write it out, but in my head it seems like a serious debate.

I should clarify two things. First, as in Boscibo's case, the pain is not constant. If I knew the pain would continue like this until January, I would definitely have it done. Second, the oral surgeon actually looked at my x-rays and teeth in August and he approved of the plan to wait until January. Of course, his opinion may have changed after my tooth crumbled, but getting past the front desk to get an actual professional opinion is apparently not possible.

Boscibo, glad you enjoyed your root canal. That sounds like it was awful.

[Hampshire]

If they are wisdom teeth get them pulled now.
That severe pain your feeling isn't going to be getting any better, it will probably get worse. You'll lose nights of sleep.
If you want to save some money don't have them put you to sleep. For having two wisdom teeth pulled my bill went from $1200 to $700 because I chose not to be put under. They still give you numbing shots and you really don't feel a thing besides some pressure.
For the sake of your child get them fixed now. That pain your going through no doubtedly puts you in a pretty sour mood and your probably not that much fun to be around.
Ask your dentist about making payments.

[little*bit]

Call your dentist ASAP. I know when my wisdom teeth started coming in I didn't have 100% coverage. My dentist was also the oral surgeon & he decided I couldn't wait although I couldn't afford it. He billed it as an extraction instead of oral surgery & I didn't get billed for anything but the co-pay. I don't know if that is considered unethical, but I guess he figured it was better to bill less money, create a wonderful dr/patient relationship & ensure a long term patient than let me suffer.

[Jonathan Chance]

Get them out. Get them out NOW.

I speak with the wisdom of experience here. It will only begin to hurt worse and then spread. And once that sucker starts draining you will have breath that could kill a rhino at 100 paces. It'll be so bad that dogs will avoid you.

Trust me. I've been down this road.

[Red Stilettos]

Absolutely have them removed. If the issue was only pain, I wouldn't be as worried. However, dental infections are notorious sources of seed bacteria for other infections. There's even a link between dental infections and heart disease. link

At the very least, go see a dentist and have him evaluate the infectious risk of waiting until January. Maybe there is some way to lessen the risk. But, IMO, it's not a risk worth taking.

And for the pain, a hairdryer on low aimed at the area can help. Good luck...

[Bippy the Beardless]

See the dentist again if you can. Maybe only one tooth is infected or a cheaper alternative (local rather than global anesthetic) can be done. Maybe they can cut you some slack or fiddle with the accounting or something can be done that'll get you through to January without danger to yourself.

Best luck, Bippy

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Most dentists are pretty good about paying in installments.

[rocking chair]

another vote on seeing the dentist now. my dentist does the payment thing with me.

as far as alternatives.... tom hanks managed to do dentistry with an ice skate. don't recommend it.

[Bippy the Beardless]

Just another thought. Is there a University near by with a dental college. There was often a chance to get cheap dental work done by trainee dentists in the dentistry colleges in London. Though I'm not sure if that isn'r as scary as the Ice Skate idea

[Stainz]

I also know of people who didn't have dental coverage, so they were able to get it done in the hospital under their medical coverage.

Definitely go to a dentist, pay for the cost of an exam, and discuss your financial situation with him and see what he suggests.

Good luck ...

S.

[Green Cymbeline]

Originally Posted by Bippy the Beardless

Just another thought. Is there a University near by with a dental college. There was often a chance to get cheap dental work done by trainee dentists in the dentistry colleges in London. Though I'm not sure if that isn'r as scary as the Ice Skate idea

Come to think of it, this is what I did. I was in college at the time and got all 4 of mine yanked at the dental school. I don't remember what it cost but I assume it was probably cheaper than a private dentist.

[LilyoftheValley]

Thanks to everyone who posted. I appreciate the advice and the words of personal experience. I guess the money is worth it to avoid the risk of infection, rhino breath, and sniping at everyone for the next few months.

I'm going to go ahead and have the surgery on Friday. If I had more time I'd definitely explore the idea of a dental school. Would you believe a friend of mine started dental school this fall and still I didn't think of it on my own? Unfortunately I can't get any coverage from my health insurance...unless perhaps I could hire a Doper to hit me in the wisdom tooth with a baseball bat.

Please wish me luck. I'm breastfeeding, so I don't get anything stronger than ibuprofen for pain relief afterwards. On a positive note, I may only have to prepare one meal -- a bowl full of mush for my infant and me to share!

[whiterabbit]

Good luck!

Don't knock ibuprofen -- it's great stuff. It's worked miracles for my soon-to-be-crowned tooth. [TMI]And then it also works on my cramps. Of course I would be undergoing major dental work, a huge stressor, during THAT week. Damn.[/TMI] Lovely stuff, ibuprofen.

And for all the horror stories you hear about wisdom tooth removal, it's not always like that. It wasn't bad at all for me. I hope it's the same for you!

[Bippy the Beardless]

Good luck LillyoftheValley, check if there is any local anesthetic gells you can use safely on the tooth area (is somethin like Bonjela available where you live?, and is it safe for breast feeding mums?).

[Sam I Am]

There are stronger painkillers available that are ok while breastfeeding. Women who have c-sections aren't only given ibuprofen

You might do just fine without anything stronger, but it's probably worth knowing what else is safe, just in case. http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/pain-meds.html

[Moon-Watcher]

Originally Posted by LilyoftheValley

Thanks to everyone who posted. I appreciate the advice and the words of personal experience. I guess the money is worth it to avoid the risk of infection, rhino breath, and sniping at everyone for the next few months.

I'm going to go ahead and have the surgery on Friday. If I had more time I'd definitely explore the idea of a dental school. Would you believe a friend of mine started dental school this fall and still I didn't think of it on my own? Unfortunately I can't get any coverage from my health insurance...unless perhaps I could hire a Doper to hit me in the wisdom tooth with a baseball bat.

Please wish me luck. I'm breastfeeding, so I don't get anything stronger than ibuprofen for pain relief afterwards. On a positive note, I may only have to prepare one meal -- a bowl full of mush for my infant and me to share!

So how did it go? (If you had it done, that is) I'm getting mine taken out in a couple of weeks...so wish me luck too!

[Agent Foxtrot]

I only skimmed through most of the replies, so I apologize if this was already mentioned: I don't know what insurance plan you'll have in January, but most, if not all insurance plans have a pre-existing condition clause. If you go in the day your dental insurance kicks in at 100%, the insurance company can bounce back the claim as a pre-existing condition. Check with the insurance company about this. My advice? Go now. If your teeth are falling apart now, you're going to be really sorry in January.

Adam

[Salem]

I just went through this and I hope you don't delay treatment. I have the same situation, where the wisdom teeth are crowded and create a pocket, along with being too close to the next tooth so you just can't clean them adequately, even with floss. I ended up having the wisdom tooth removed (dentists don't usually recommend a root canal in a wisdom tooth). I have no dental insurance right now, either, and was afraid of the cost. But ya know what? I had an x-ray done and an extraction at an oral surgeon's and it cost me $175. That's it for everything except the penicillin and pain reliever I needed cause I had let it go long enough that I had developed a gum and bone infection. And the penicillin was only $9 or something. I was a little sore after for a day or tow, but it wasn't excruciating by any means. Mostly it hurt where they'd put the novacaine in. The procedure itself was very quick and painless.
I really tried the ignoreitanditwillgoaway approach to dental medicine and unfortunately it really, really didn't work. If you don't find someone near you, email me, cause the office I went to was really good and they aren't that far from you. Up until last Thursday, I was really feeling your pain. Hope you feel better soon!

[whiterabbit]

Yep, the ignoreitanditwillgoaway idea didn't work very well for me, but as of yesterday I have what I think is a cool-looking metallic molar. If I could go back and kick myself and get myself to a dentist back when all I'd have needed was a filling...sigh.

So, how'd it go?

[LilyoftheValley]

I'm back! And my teeth are gone.

It wasn't too bad after all. The general anesthesia was pricey (compared to what some of you are saying for the local), but it was very well done. I don't remember a thing, and they told me my roots were exceptionally gnarled and difficult. That is why they wanted to do general to begin with (well, so they say -- it might have been for the money, what do I know?). It is pretty achy now, 48 hours later, but honestly not much worse than the tooth pain I had been having. Good luck to everyone who is going in for the procedure in the near future.

Sam I Am, thanks for the kellymom link. It just goes to show you how braindead tooth pain was making me. Duh! Why didn't I think of that? Actually, I got crappy advice all around the board on breastfeeding and meds in general, with the exception of a licensed Lactation Consultant, and a woman from La Leche League who actually mailed me copies from the Hale bible on Medications and Mother's Milk for free.

Salem, long time no see! I wish I'd got your dentist reference before I had the procedure done, but oh well. It's done and that's a relief. Drop me an email some time; I think it's going to be a long winter!

Originally Posted by whiterabbit

If I could go back and kick myself and get myself to a dentist back when all I'd have needed was a filling...sigh.

I think this is going to be my new philosophy on dentistry. I hope your new metallic molar matches your wardrobe. Do you look like this?

[whiterabbit]

Originally Posted by LilyoftheValley

I think this is going to be my new philosophy on dentistry. I hope your new metallic molar matches your wardrobe. Do you look like this?

Nope...it's not even visible unless I yank the side of my mouth around, since it's the back top molar on the right. But it's all silvery (he said it's a high gold alloy...something like white gold, maybe?) and cool.

Now if the dang thing would just stop ACHING. It's getting better, slowly, but I'm getting really sick of this tooth bugging me. Which is another reason for going in sooner rather than later; it never gave me so much as a twinge until I started getting it fixed. Thank Og for ibuprofen.

I'm glad your visit went well. I know I've learned my lesson!