Infected tooth that hurts! No Dental insurance. HELP!?

My dentist told me a few years ago to remove my wisdom teeth because they didnt have room to grow. I was a baby about it and didnt do it. Now, 5 years later my bottom left wisdom tooth is giving me problems. It gets sore and the other day I think a popcorn kernal got stuck in my gums surrounding the tooth. I brushed and flossed and then next morning my face was very swollen. (It looked like I had a golf ball in my cheek) I have since been to the ER and given an antibiotic and pain meds. My question is... I do not have dental insurance and will not be eligable at work for at least 5 months. If I finish my antibiotics to clean out the infection, can I wait that long to have the tooth pulled? I am in pain now, but have been taking pain meds for it. Im scared about not having dental coverage and Im not financially stable. Can you please tell me what to do? At least tell me what I can do until I can afford to see a dentist? Can the infection spread or some back? Thanks

Infected tooth that hurts! No Dental insurance. HELP!?
An infected tooth, or abscess as they are called are extremely painful. Antibiotics and pain medication will eventually help the tooth become less infected but once you stop antibiotics the infection WILL return and is usually much more painful the second time around. You should not wait five months to have this tooth taken care of as infection from an abscess tooth can spread to the throat causing an airway obstruction and can spread to the heart and brain and cause very severe problems and sometimes fatal complications. As a dentist we always recommend trying to save the tooth by having a root canal, but in a financial situation an extraction may be your best choice. PLEASE see a dentist in your area to discuss a treatment as this can become extremely painful and serious. Also try using COLD compresses, do NOT use heat as this can cause the infection to worsen and spread and become more painful. Try finding a dental college in your area. PLEASE do not take the advice from "Overseas Dentist" below, once you take your antibiotics you will not gain 6 months to two years of relief from your infected tooth. You will get pain relief once the antibiotics begin to work on the infection, but once you stop taking them the infection will return and is usually much more painful and severe. PLEASE by all means see a dentist as soons as possible.
Reply:There are dental clinics that have sliding scales. I would try and get it out, it could cause problems for it's neighbors if you keep it in too long. You could also try a dental school.
Reply:Dental infections can spread and end up in the heart and finally the brain. So, go to the local county hosital or if there is a dental school go there. You need help and the hospital will make arrangements for time payments. Your health is a priority.
Reply:See if your dentist has a CARE CREDIT PLAN you can sign up for.It's like a credit card with no interest.
Reply:Dental schools offer low cost or free care--call one now as the wait may be long. Yes, the infection can spread %26amp; can come back. Keep a very close eye on this--any increase in symptoms you need an ER to give you more antibiotics. Some dentists will also work with you. Look for free clinics, county facilities, low income medical services, etc and ask for a referall.
Reply:Try a free clinic ... they can advise you about the current condition of your tooth.





As far as getting the thing pulled, I've heard of people going to local universities with dental school programs. I guess that they are affordable and they'll get the job done under proper supervision.
Reply:Check with your local dental college. They may be willing to do it at a very affordable cost. Otherwise, get out the Visegrips! Just kidding!
Reply:Ok look, this is the worst kind of pain, If you have an infection you could actually die from it. A boy not too long ago died because the infection can travel in your blood stream to your brain and kill you. Taking the antibiotics is good because it will kill the infection for now, but it will be back in a few months. Try to get the tooth pulled. Call dentists in your area and ask them if they work with uninsured patients for extractions.





I had to do this and I found a dentist in my area that did it for 40 dollars. It was relatively pain free and definately affordable. Goodluck cuz i know i feel your pain!
Reply:Is there a dental school near you? If so, they can do it least expensively. And they are watched and monitored very closely, you can even ask to be sedated. I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled at once. I didn't feel a thing! I was scared thought, but honestly, I never feel anything more that the needle from the sedative, even hours, and days later. I never felt a thing. If there is not dental school near by, just call you dentist had have him/her refer you to a dental surgeon, they do this all the time any the know how to deal will scaredy cats. Call ahead and explain your situation, see if you can make financial arrangements to pay.
Reply:you may have to go on antibiotics over and over again and there is no guarantee that you will be able to last 5 months. If you are in an area where there is a university with a school of dentistry, you may be able to get it done at a reduced rate. All the work is supervised by resident dental surgeons, so you will get very good care.


Otherwise you could discuss a monthly payment plan with your dentist- it should only cost a few hundred dollars.
Reply:go to a school that teaches dysentery they do it cheaper.
Reply:Your priority must be your antibiotics and you must regularly use your antibiotics. Your dental pain will decrease to reasonable level second or third days of your antibiotic' usage. You will gain 6 months to 2 years time until your next dental pain. I strongly advise you to solve your problem ASAP because delaying your dental treatment will cause more problems and more costs than you think.
Reply:Try to find a free dental clinic. If you cannot find one, try to find a dental school to get great services at low cost. If you cannot find one, then try this:





But make sure that you have dentists in your area by checking under 'Provider Search'.





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