My tooth had been hurting but I’m out of work so I thought I could just nurse it along. Today, when I was eating, something happened and it got much worse. Now my cheek is swollen. I don’t know what to do. I really don’t have any extra money. I do have medicaid so I can get antibiotics. I just don’t know what to tell my doctor. I’m fairly confident that he’ll just tell me to go to the dentist.
Nell
Dear Nell,
Before we get into what options you have, I want to make sure you understand that, even if your doctor did give you a prescription for an antibiotic, it will not solve your problem. The most an antibiotic can do is hold your infection at bay. Even then it will only do that temporarily. When it flares back up, it will be worse than before.
There are two ways to get rid of a tooth infection. The first is a root canal treatment. The second is to have the tooth extracted. If you don’t get treatment, it will continue to spread. Then, a dental emergency can turn into a life threatening one.
Most cities have a charity dental clinic that will do work in situations like yours for free. They will do the cheapest procedure, so if your tooth is infected, they are likely going to extract it.
Another option is to look for a dentist who advertises as an affordable dentist. They are often more compassionate and willing to treat patients in emergency situations to get them out of pain and danger first, and then allow them to pay out the work afterward.
Most of us have been in a difficult financial circumstance at some point in our lives and understand the stress and helplessness that comes with that.
This blog is brought to you by Libertyville Dentist Dr. David Potts.