I recently had a dental emergency on a molar. It was my own fault. I am terrified of dentists and tend to avoid them altogether. This has caused me no end of problems with my teeth. I had to have the tooth extracted. The procedure did not go smoothly. Now that it is over, the […]
Antibiotics for Tooth Infections
I have an abscessed tooth. I just want to go to my doctor and get an antibiotic, but my wife keeps insisting I see a dentist instead. Why can’t I just take an antibiotic like I would for any other type of medical infection? Matt Dear Matt, People often think antibiotics will heal an infection. […]
Saving a Knocked Out Tooth
I was at a hockey game and saw one of the young men lose a tooth. I always heard the mothers joking about needing a good dental plan if your son joins the team. It got me wondering. Can those teeth be saved or do they have to get replacements for all the teeth they […]
Disparity in Emergency Dental Care?
My husband and I ended up having simultaneous toothaches. We don’t usually go to a dentist, which is probably why we ended up with toothaches to begin with. We saw separate emergency dentists because we both wanted to be seen right away. Somehow, even though we had the same symptoms, I ended up with a […]
The Most Work in One Appointment
I hate dentists. I hope you won’t be offended by that I just find it’s best to be honest up front. I have what is possibly a tooth infection. It hurts. So, if I’m going to suck it up and go in to see a dentist, I want to get as much work done as […]
Is A Root Canal Safe During Pregnancy?
I’m pregnant and have what I am sure is a dental emergency. I’ve got a massive toothache and they side of my mouth is swollen. I need to get this taken care of, but don’t want to do it if I could hurt the baby as a result. Monica S. – Morgantown, VA Monica, I […]
Something’s Wrong With My Husband’s Gum
My husband has a sore on his gum that sometimes oozes. It’s really quite disgusting. He thinks it’s just a cut and will get better. I think it is something more serious. Which of us do you think is right? Xandy L. – Oregon Xandy, A cut would look like a cut, not a sore […]
Tooth Pain
If you’re in pain, is it OK to call an emergency dentist if it isn’t really an emergency? Name Withheld Well, I guess it depends on the severity of the pain. If you’re just uncomfortable and can make it until you can get an appointment with your regular dentist, then it wouldn’t really justify going […]