Will the emergency room pull my tooth?

My dentist is not gentle. Well he is really not still my dentist because I haven’t been there for 2 years. I have a bad, bad toothache and am wondering if I go to the emergency room if they will knock me out and pull my tooth. My thoughts are this is a better and faster way than trying to find a new dentist. Thanks Baron.

Baron – Emergency rooms are equipped to handle all sorts of medical emergencies. But they are not prepared to handle dental emergencies.

Emergency room staff are not trained to examine and assess the issues with your tooth. Dental x-ray equipment is not available, nor is a sterile environment for oral care. At best, you may be given pain reliever.

Your tooth may not need to be extracted. And if it can be preserved, it’s best to do so for your overall oral health. Missing teeth cause jawbone shrinkage and cause other teeth to shift. When your bite is misaligned, you incur additional problems.

If you choose not to return to your most recent dentist, you can search for a gentle dentist who accepts emergency appointments. The pain you’ve described indicates that your tooth is infected, so don’t delay getting the treatment. If you have dental anxiety, it can be addressed with mild anti-anxiety medication to help you relax during your appointment. Take a little time to find the right dentist for you.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Has my bulimia totally messed up my teeth?

When I talk to my friends I can see their eyes drift toward my teeth trying to figure out what is going on with them. I am bulimic but I haven’t told anyone other than my husband and sister. This has been going on for 7 years or so. I am in therapy and have been event free for 5 months. I was hoping that time would improve the look of my teeth but they still look horrible and are very weak. Have I messed up my teeth for life? I know I am going to have to face a dentist one day I just want to know if there is anything that can be done. Thanks Krissie

Krissie – There are many patients with eating disorders who are in recovery and have their teeth successfully restored by cosmetic dentists.

Although your teeth need to be examined by a dentist, it is safe to say that your chances of getting a beautiful smile are very good. There are several options for restoring teeth, but the treatment that is best for you depends on your case and the condition of your teeth.

Porcelain crowns cover and protect damaged teeth, porcelain veneers, conceal the front only of your natural teeth, and dental implants restore missing teeth or teeth that are too severely damaged to be saved.

Your comfort during the process is important. Without disclosing details about your eating disorder, you can request consultations with a few cosmetic dentists to find one with whom you are comfortable for the journey of restoring your smile. Keep in mind that upon examining your teeth, a skilled dentist is able to discern that an eating disorder is the cause of the damage to your teeth. So don’t be surprised by that. Continue your conversation and ask questions about treatment options to find a dentist that is right for you.

Best wishes on a progressive recovery.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

If I pull my own tooth what are some warning signs that something is going wrong?

So tomorrow night I am pulling my own tooth. I don’t want anybody to touch it but me. I have sterile tools that have never been used, peroxide and gauze. I have looked it up online on how to do this myself and I watched the videos several times. What I don’t see is how to know what is normal pain or bleeding vs. how to tell is something is really going wrong and I need to get some help. What should I pay attention to after I pull the tooth to be sure everything is going as it should? Thanks Kenny

Kenny – We will not provide any advice for extracting your own tooth. Although the tooth may be causing you a lot of pain, during the extraction, you can damage tooth nerves or nearby teeth and create even more problems.

Most people don’t realize that if a toothache is horrible, the tooth itself is infected. Even though you may extract the tooth, the infection may have spread into the gums or other teeth. You may need additional treatment.

It is unlikely that a dentist would need to extract an infected tooth. A gentle dentist will numb the area around your tooth, painlessly inject pain reliever, examine your tooth, and do a root canal treatment—which will also be pain free.

Please see a dentist right away. Avoid unnecessary pain and stress on your teeth and gums.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.