Hi :) So I have had a cavity that spread to another tooth since it started between teeth since 2005. Now one of my molars is missing the front of the tooth and the other is missing the back. It can be painful, but its manageable...sometimes its extrememe though. All I see is dark in the inside...no blisters or anything like that. On the other side of my mouth, I have a cavity thats been progressing for nearly a year now,and that one also broke...and while it isnt painful like it used to be at times, it looks kind of scary as there is some red within the tooth...not the cavity. And a few weeks ago, my jaw was swelled and I felt kind of a bump by it, but that may have been due to my wisdom tooth coming in behind it. Im not sure. I dont have a dollar to go to the dentist with since Im a student, and you can bet I dont have any insurance. What the heck should I do?
Answer:
The first thing you need to do Brittany is lay of the sugar drinks! Soda pop with sugar is the prime reason I would bet you have so many very decayed teeth. Every time you take a drink or chew on something with sugar in it, the acid clock starts ticking. It takes around 30 mins. for the saliva to neutralize from the acid levels. You can sip on 1 or 2 sugary drinks all day long and that is worse than having 3 or 4 that you drink quickly or with meals. Rinse out with water if you can not brush your teeth after eating anything sugary. Use sugarless drinks, gums, mints. OK, now to your actual question..lol. You will need to check with the local care giving organizations such as Salvation Army. They may be able to direct you to facilities that help uninsured people with severe dental problems such as yours. How old are you? You said a student, but is that high school or college? Check with social services to see if you are eligible for Medicaid. From the description you gave of your teeth, some will need to be extracted. Getting rid of the infection is very important, act as soon as you can. If nothing else go to the Emergency Room and see if antibiotics can be prescribed for you. But remember, the infection will come back.
I understand the $$ being a problem, but you MUST see a dentist. Those teeth could become abscessed, and the infection could spread through your body, making you very ill. Is there a dental college near you? They usually have clinics where dental work is far less expensive. If nothing else, go to the student health center and ask them for advice.
I feel for you. By the way why aren't your parents helping with your dental care until you are able to?? They should help you.
I have worked as a dental assistant for over 10 years and have seen lots of what you are describing and know that people have come in with toothaches and feel so bad for the pain they are suffering. I don't know what area you live in but you need to find out if there are and rural health centers in your area. I live in a small county and we are fortunate for our area that we have these centers. They usually have dental clinics in them and you pay on a sliding fee schedule. There has got to be something there in your area to help you out. the little lump oor bump was more than likely an abcess developing or has been there for quite awhile waiting to flair up. You need to get an antibiotic to get rid of the infection now mind you this is only going to aleviate the pain for awhile but it will come back unfortunately. Try searching your area for low cost dental care or rural health centers that could at least guide you in the right direction. It may still be possible to save the teeth that have broken and decayed but you may have to have them extracted and bridge or something else done. I hope this helps you and hope you find some help. By the way why aren't your parents helping with your dental care until you are able to?? They should help you. Good Luck and Take care!
I agree you have to go to the dentist NOW! If you put it off and the infection does spread, you WILL die! Not to scare you, but your mouth is a direct root to your heart. Barrow the money, do what ever you have to in order to get in to an office.
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