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Tooth Infection and No Money

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Tooth Infection and No Money

Posted by writeradmin

I have a tooth in the back of my mouth that is so infected it has my cheek swollen. I do not have dental insurance and have recently been laid off so I don’t really have much money either. I don’t know how long it is going to take for me to find new work and am in a bit of a panic. What is the best way to take care of this at home?

Sylvia


Dear Sylvia,

A woman touching the side of her face, clearly in pain.

I am sorry for both your job loss and the pain you are in. This has placed you in quite a pickle. You have a tooth infection that is beginning to spread, which is considered a dental emergency. If you don’t get treatment soon, it will continue to spread. Then, a dental emergency can lead to a life threatening emergency. Just imagine if your infection spreads to your brain, lungs, or heart. All of those are close to your jaw.

There is not really a way to treat a tooth infection at home. Some patients try just taking some antibiotics, but this is a bad idea. The infection originates inside the tooth. Antibiotics will only keep it from spreading. Even then, it will only do it until you run out of that prescription.

The only way to deal with a tooth infection is for the dentist to get in there and remove any infected pulp. This would require either a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction. A root canal treatment is preferred because it saves your tooth. If that is not possible and you have to remove the tooth, you will also want to replace it. Otherwise, the adjacent teeth will shift or tip into the empty space.

The best tooth replacements are dental implants. However, they are also the most expensive. Given your current circumstance, I would recommend a dental flipper to hold the space open while you have time to find new employment and save for the dental implant.

I want to stress the seriousness of the situation you are in. I know you don’t have money. There are a couple of options here. First, almost every city has a clinic willing to do charity dental work. Be aware they will probably only do the cheapest procedures and will be less interested in saving your tooth. Before you did that, I would do an internet search for an affordable dentist. Almost all of them would be willing to work with a person in your situation by allowing you to pay out the treatment.

This blog is brought to you by Mt. Dora Dentist Dr. Michelle Stillman.