The "what's On Your Mind?" Thread -2020

[klunick]

I am hoping the work day goes quick today. Fridays always seem to drag and my "partner in crime" co-worker won't be there so I won't have anyone to pass the time with.

 

[Mia6]

CONGRATS KATIE!!!

 

[Mia6]

MoonstoneWolf
I'm sorry you are having such a rough time with your tooth. Dental pain is the worst It's a good move
on the part of your dentist to refer you to an oral surgeon. I had an infected wisdom tooth and my dentist
did the same, gave me antibiotics and pain meds. I then had the tooth extracted about 2 weeks later.
Sounds like Treasure and Sopdat sense you are feeling rough and want to be close by.

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

Actually my acid reflux is worse than tooth pain. With that comparison now I can describe why I am scared to try meds that I don’t know how I’ll react. Since I had both the other night at basically the same time I quickly wished the reflux ( not the tooth pain) to go away. That was from the baby aspirin too. So doctors and dentists have to be so careful when prescribing meds to me Dentists here have always referred to oral surgeons in cases like mine. My Mom was referred to one for same reason 35 years ago. They are trained to do more complicated procedures and could face lawsuits from patients if something goes wrong and have in the past which is why most don’t extract anymore.

i only had one quick sharp pain in my mouth last night and that was it. Slept good for a change.

Maybe you misunderstood: Treasure and Sopdet are disappearing from me more during this time causing me to worry (coyotes and all you know). They aren't hanging around more then they were before, in fact even less. Right now Sopdet has not been seen for over 12 hours and Treasure is running around frantically looking for her.

Wondering why all these webcam surveys only pop up when I'm in my nightgown or pajamas?

 

[maggiedemi]

My dentist pulled my infected tooth first, then gave me antibiotics. She said it had to come out that day because it was starting to spread to my jaw. My gum was all black and nasty.

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

I have never known a dentist to pull out an infected tooth first. Never and I'm 64 years old. All the dentists here bring the infection down first with antibiotics before pulling except maybe in rare instances like yours. My infection was minor and not at that point of it has to come out right this minute. And again my jaw is so funny shaped they aren't going to take a chance of busting my jaw in order to get the tooth out and cause me more issues then what I have now. . And I don't make the laws in my state. A dentist here where I live will not pull out a tooth like the one I have now under any circumstances. They have been this way since the 1980s. I have to go to an oral surgeon for this tooth as they are more experienced and have the equipment to pull lower back teeth then a regular dentist. And I've been through 4 dentists in my life (all old and passed away, current one is younger dentist)

 

[maggiedemi]

I have never known a dentist to pull out an infected tooth first.

I have no idea if she did it right, but it worked out fine. She had this special equipment to get the tooth out. She hooked this special metal thingy up to it and jacked it out. It didn't hurt at all. The infected tooth was in my mouth a long time! Maybe that was why it had to come out fast. A month or two I had it in there. It was pretty narly infection she said.

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

Yea sounds like that may be the reason why. Thankfully mine is recent so I have time to bring down the infection first but since the tooth is broke the way it is the oral surgeon is the only one who has the equipment to grab it. Otherwise the dentist would be able to get it for me as he got all of my uppers 4 years ago. I still have slight pain but not like it was. Although it can take up to 72 hours to get rid of the infection (thus the pain). And since I can't do an antibiotic stronger then Amoxicillin it may take even twice as long as "normal" people.

And Sopdet is still missing for 14 hours now. I hope I see her again but given the disappearances of the other cats I"m worried she'll never return

 

[Koveshnikov]

I wonder if you can get the dentist to remove your slightly damaged or healthy tooth?... several times they tried to refuse me to remove my teeth despite a strong infection, forcing me to treat them, which I did not want ...

 

[klunick]

I wonder if you can get the dentist to remove your slightly damaged or healthy tooth?... several times they tried to refuse me to remove my teeth despite a strong infection, forcing me to treat them, which I did not want ...

Every dentist I've gone to has wanted to removed a chipped tooth I've had since I was in elementary school. I am 48 now! Never had any issue with it nor gotten a cavity. I keep telling them no. Same with removing my wisdom teeth that also have never given me problems.

 

[Graceful-Lily]

I had no idea removing chipped teeth was an option. I chipped... broke? Off a piece of two of my lower molars (I am a bone chewer... I know, I know, it's not good. Bad habit...) and my dentist kinda just shrugged it off because they aren't a problem. Food gets stuck between that section more often but it has just made me get into a better habit of flossing.

When I was getting my wisdom teeth removed, he removed the first 2 at separate times and then the last two together. Reason being, my hypochondria was really bad at the time and I didn't want to be put to sleep so he said we'd go at a pace I felt comfortable. Mine were impacted so it didn't make sense keeping them in to wreck the beautiful job he did with my braces. Now? I'm mostly worried about how translucent my teeth look due to wear and tear. But that is more so a cosmetic/aesthetic thing rather than a health problem. I don't have sensitive teeth, my teeth are just kind of... see through.

 

[klunick]

I had no idea removing chipped teeth was an option. I chipped... broke? Off a piece of two of my lower molars (I am a bone chewer... I know, I know, it's not good. Bad habit...) and my dentist kinda just shrugged it off because they aren't a problem. Food gets stuck between that section more often but it has just made me get into a better habit of flossing.

When I was getting my wisdom teeth removed, he removed the first 2 at separate times and then the last two together. Reason being, my hypochondria was really bad at the time and I didn't want to be put to sleep so he said we'd go at a pace I felt comfortable. Mine were impacted so it didn't make sense keeping them in to wreck the beautiful job he did with my braces. Now? I'm mostly worried about how translucent my teeth look due to wear and tear. But that is more so a cosmetic/aesthetic thing rather than a health problem. I don't have sensitive teeth, my teeth are just kind of... see through.

Have you tried toothpaste that helps with the enamel on your teeth. Pro-namel can be found in stores. My oldest has a prescription toothpaste ( I think it's called PreviDent) to help build up his enamel because he used to drink so much soda and that broke down the enamel on his teeth.

 

[Graceful-Lily]

I have tried it but I don't remember it doing much for me so I stopped. Maybe I should give it another go.

 

[WillowMarie]

When I was getting my wisdom teeth removed, he removed the first 2 at separate times and then the last two together. Reason being, my hypochondria was really bad at the time and I didn't want to be put to sleep so he said we'd go at a pace I felt comfortable.

I didn't want to be put to sleep either for my wisdom teeth. The person my dentist recommended gave me a sheet to sign with everything possible that could go wrong... I was not expecting this and already nervous about going under, and ended up almost having a panic attack and crying. The dentist came back in the room and had no empathy. When I asked him if I could be awake because I was scared to be put under, he's like there is no way you can stay awake for his.

I made an appointment to see someone else, and he said of course I can stay awake during. I brought my over the ear headphones and jammed to music while relaxing in the chair. I did ask for something to calm me, which I hate taking medicine and have never taken fast acting anxiety medicine before, but was worried my anxiety would spike. He gave me a prescription for xanax, which I'd never had before and I felt completely normal after taking it. Still not sure if it worked, or if that is how it makes you feel.

MoonstoneWolf My story seems similar to what others have said, that sometimes it can be good to ask a second opinion. Good luck with your tooth. Hope you get it figured out soon and feel better.

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

Well it is now 18 hours and no Sopdet. I'm scared I may no longer see her again and Treasure just took off.

I'm also surprised a dentist would try and pull just a chipped tooth. And again I'm sorry but I don't write Missouri laws but I know what dentists do in St Louis and the dentists here are not allowed to pull teeth that are so broke that they need special tools, nor are they allowed to pull a tooth that is infected unless it is way past the point of waiting. I'm sorry I even mentioned it. And also I have been through several dentists. Sorry I think I mentioned above that the Amoxiciilin is working? All I know is that here in St Louis MO north county dentists are not allowed to pull a tooth that is infected. Again it's been this way at least since the early 1980s, My cousin's son is a dentist and has also stated the same thing.

Really not sure why other dentists just pull but a simple google search will show that most dentists will not extract a tooth unless the infection is firs

t treated with antibiotics. I also pulled up several sites as to why a need for an oral surgeon

Will the Dentist Pull an Abscessed Tooth? – Dentist in Spring - Vita Dental

Question: Will A Dentist Pull An Infected Tooth? - Dental

https://www.docvlee.com/2015/oral-surgeon-tooth-extraction/

Why Am I Being Referred To An Oral Surgeon Instead Of My Dentist For A Tooth Extraction? | Taylor General & Cosmetic Dentistry

Should You Go with a Dentist or Oral Surgeon for Tooth Extraction?

Anyway as I said sorry I said anything.

Off to see where the cats are (considering the mosquito trucks and coyotes. I may be needing to donate all the cat items if they never return. Neither have looked well since the mosquito truck situation. So scared

 

[segelkatt]

These laws for dentists are insane. If they were properly trained they would be able to do root canals, fix chipped teeth, put on caps and crowns, pull impacted or infected teeth etc. That is certainly the way it used to be done. There is also a custom now of pulling perfectly healthy wisdom teeth that don't bother anyone when kids become teenagers or so. I am 77 and my last wisdom tooth was pulled by a regular dentist just a year ago because it had a big cavity and was starting to get infected. The tooth promptly broke off one of its 3 roots which then had to be dug out. The dentist told me this and then proceeded to dig it out. Because I wear a bridge with just one tooth between it and the now non-existent wisdom tooth the dentist, not an oral surgeon, put a bone implant to where the roots of the wisdom tooth used to be. This is so the remaining tooth will not shift as would happen without the bone implant and then the bridge would eventually break from the continued pull. That would really be a mess.
This dentist was trained in Sweden where he is from and did an excellent job. Apparently the new dentists here are trained in the basics, nothing else, perhaps they were not smart or skilled enough to go for more training and so send everything beyond basics to a specialist. Same apparently goes for regular doctors too, try to find a GP who is under 50 who does not send you to a specialist for everything more than a runny nose.

 

[Willowy]

My wisdom teeth were cut out before they developed roots, which they say is better than trying to dig them out after the roots come in. My teeth are crowded enough as it is; if they had come in all my teeth would have jammed up into one big mess.

My brother also opted for no sedative. He listens to too many urban legends or something, lol. He only got Novacaine, and says he doesn't recommend that. He felt them cutting and digging and pulling, etc. No pain but he felt the pressure/pulling. Maybe a Xanax would have helped. I did twilight sedation. Supposedly you aren't fully sedated and can still move if the dentist tells you to. But I don't remember a thing. I much preferred that. My youngest brother did twilight sedation too.

 

[WillowMarie]

And again I'm sorry but I don't write Missouri laws but I know what dentists do in St Louis and the dentists here are not allowed to pull teeth that are so broke that they need special tools, nor are they allowed to pull a tooth that is infected unless it is way past the point of waiting.

Oops, I may have missed some of the details already mentioned. Sorry about that, my mistake! The conversation has been over a couple days and not all the details stuck in my mind. I think everyone here really cares about you, which is why we are advocating and giving suggestions because you've been in so much pain. We want you to know your options and rights, although you've mentioned that Missouri does it differently and you need to go a different route there. <3

 

[Lari]

Yeah, I got my wisdom teeth out around my 15th birthday because I have larger teeth and they were starting to come in and mess with all the work my braces had done and there just wasn't room for them. 100+ years ago when more people lost rotted teeth because of lack of dental care, wisdom teeth were probably more useful.

 

[Katie M]

I think I'll eventually go for the anesthesia coding specialty certification. It was always my strongest area in my coding classes, and I scored 100% in that area on the certification exam. I hope this anesthesia course will help me with that.