Oh crap

[susandennis]

I think I have a tooth that is a future problem. Several times over the past few weeks, I've bitten down on something and got a hint of a problem. And it's not a simple problem - like a pain the gum but more like one way up near my nose. Once that will be very expensive and very painful. Fuck.

I have a memory lane about the dentist when I was 8 but I'm too scared about this stupid tooth to tempt fate by recounting it now. Oh tooth, please heal thyself!

Comments

[photoholic62.livejournal.com]

Which is going to be first? Dentist or Doctor? The reason I ask is, I once went to a dentist because my tooth was hurting, way up by my nose when I bit down. Turned out to be a sinus infection, my teeth were fine. Maybe you'll be so lucky. Well, if you can call that lucky?

[susandennis]

A sinus infection that presents as discomfort with chewing only about 5 times over the course of several weeks? I would much prefer a sinus infection over tooth problem but...

[photoholic62.livejournal.com]

That time mine presented as a chewing problem. I had no other symptoms like stuffy or runny nose ... nothing! Just was uncomfortable when I ate. I had a filling, and I thought it was loose or broken. However, it was every time I chewed, not just sometimes.

Oh well, it was worth a try.

[susandennis]

If it gets to everytime, I'll definately put that in my bag o' possibilities!

[taniwhanui.livejournal.com]

If it's not one of your front teeth, I'd recommend having it removed. I struggled with a root canal gone wrong for more than a year and in the end keeping the tooth just wasn't worth it.

*hugs*

Taniwha

[susandennis]

Oh no way on root canal. Pulling for sure but even so... that is painful and expensive.

[kyrielle]

It's well worth asking the doctor about a sinus infection. Or even just stuffed sinuses. I have also had a 'sore tooth' that turned out to be caused by the sinuses.

[susandennis]

I have a hard time believing that a sinus infection would present itself only five or so times over a course of several weeks and only sometimes when chewing... But, I'd still rather have that than a tooth problem for sure!

[jwg.livejournal.com]

It could be a newly occuring bite problem that would be fixed by a bit of grinding down one of the teeth.

When I had a gold crown installed last month I had a bit problem as a result - in this case both bottom and top hurt sometimes and it lasted for several days. After grinding last week, I am probably OK because it takes a while for healing. We'll see.

[kyrielle]

I'd expect it to be more frequent than that, but, mine was with chewing and only sometimes (depending on how hard I was chewing and, I think, somewhat of how well my sinuses were doing) - but more frequent than that.

Anyway good luck.

And I agree with another responder, root canals aren't that bad. When I had (impacted wisdom) teeth out, the healing time was long and it was painful to do anything that stressed the area. When I had a root canal, the root canal was sure not fun but it was not fun in the 'how long do I have to sit here while they fuss with my mouth' way. There was little to no discomfort, during or after. I doubt an extraction awake would be any more fun (but I was out cold for mine, so maybe I am wrong).

[laciann.livejournal.com]

I'd take a root canal over an extraction anyday. Root canals have gotten a reputation they don't deserve.

The extreme pain associated with a root canal is usually what brings you to the dentist in the first place - not what he/she does to you. Someone mucking around in your mouth with sharp pointy things is never going to be fun, but it's not as horrible as everyone says. (I've had 5)

[letmesaythis.livejournal.com]

My only reservation when it comes to root canal is when the wisdom tooth is the target. I had RC on a top wisdom tooth and wished I'd had it extracted, not because of the procedure but the agony of holding my jaws apart so long. Ow. Otherwise I'm all for them because I believe that nothing's anywhere near as good as one's own teeth.