Baton Rouge Dentist

Tooth knocked out

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I got my tooth knocked out. What do I do if I don’t have a dentist?

Madeline K. – Ft. Worth, TX

Madeline,

You need to get to a dentist right away if you want any chance of saving that tooth. Generally, you have, at most, thirty minutes. I understand that you don’t have a dentist of your own, but there are dentists who treat non-patients in emerency situations. You can do a google search for an emergency dentist in his area.

You’ll also need to keep the tooth moist. Carefully, wrap it in a wet paper towel or put it in a small glass of milk and get to the dentist as quickly as you can.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Store bought dental cement

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I had a crown fall out. I am out of town and wondered if a store bought white dental cement would work for my crown?

Joan A. – Missouri

Joan,

I’m sure it would cement your crown. The problem would lie in making sure your crown was properly placed before it was cemented. If you get it even a smidge too high it will cause you significant pain. If it is turn in the wrong direction even a smidge, it will likely throw off your bite.

Your best bet is to get it put back on my a dentist. You could do a search for an emergency dentist. They’ll see non-patients in cases like yours. Many of them will get you in the same day.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Can ER treat a dental emergency?

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I’m in a lot of pain. I’m pretty sure it is some kind of tooth infection, but I don’t have a dentist. Is it OK for me to go to the ER for a dental emergency?

Sandy J. – Ohio

Sandy,

Most ER’s do not treat dental issues.  They may or may not give you some kind of pain killer, but that will be about it.  So, you’ll end up paying a small fortune for ibuprofen or something similar.

If it is a tooth infection, just getting an antibiotic will not help. The infectious tissue has to be physically removed. There are emergency dentists that will see non-patients in emergency cases such as yours.

Don’t put this off. The infection will continue to spread and you will be putting your health at risk.

this blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Filling fell out–No time for a dentist

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My daughter is getting married in two days and my filling fell out. I have no time for a dentist. Will that store bought filling work?

Helena C. – Missouri

Helena,

Store bought filling will be a temporary solution. It certainly will not take care of the root of the problem. As long as you just use it to get through your daughter’s wedding and don’t leave it on much past that.

As soon as the wedding is over you’ll need to be seen. If your dentist can’t fit you in, it would be worth it to see an emergency dentist, just to make sure things don’t get worse. There is a reason your filling fell out.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Think I’ve got an serious infection

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I went to Mexico for some dental treatment. I thought everything was OK, but now it is a few days later, my mouth is killing me, and I have a substantial fever. Is this serious? I don’t have a dentist in the US. I went theire because it was cheaper.

Blake H. – Texas

Blake,

This could be very serious. You don’t want to mess with infections in your mouth, because it is so close to your brain if things progress rapidly. If you don’t have a dentist in the United States, then I suggest for now, you just do an internet search for an emergency dentist. Tell them what is going on. They will probably want to see you right away.

This is an inherent danger in going out of the country for more affordable care.  There are ways to do that in the US as well. I suggest you talk to a few dentists in your area and see if they will work with you. Many have payment plans with both low or no-interest.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

 

Is my toothache causing a swollen cheek?

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My tooth has been hurting the last couple of weeks and now my cheek is getting swollen. Is this related and how?
– Maureen from Louisiana

 

 

Dear Maureen,

Your situation sounds like you have an infected tooth with an abscess. The tooth is either cracked or has a cavity that has grown and spread to the pulp of the tooth and this is causing your problem.  If this happens, an abscess forms, causing the tooth to ache, become temperature sensitive, and creates pain when you chew. Abscesses may spread from the tooth into the jaw bone. If the infection breaks through the jaw bone, it spreads into muscles and skin. In your situation, this would be – your cheek.

We recommend you visit your dentist as soon as you can as you must treat this serious infection properly. Your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to treat the abscess and you must take the entire prescription even if your symptoms decrease after a few days. If there’s a crack in your tooth that spreads down into the root of the tooth, an extraction has to be done. If you need to extract the tooth, you may be a good candidate for a dental implant or bridge. However, if the tooth has a cavity in the pulp of the tooth, a root canal is necessary. After the root canal is performed, a dental crown is needed to protect the tooth from breaking. Because there’s no blood supply to the tooth after a root canal, the tooth is weak so the crown is added to maintain the tooth’s strength.

This blog brought to you by Baton Rouge family dentist, Dr. Ryan P. Perry.