Baton Rouge Dentist

Will the Dentist Turn Me In For Marijuana Use?

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I just cracked a tooth falling down the stairs. I need to go to an emergency dentist and try to get the tooth fixed, but I’m worried he’ll turn me in if he smells the pot on my clothes.

Name Withheld

Dear Anonymous,

It’s unlikely a dentist will turn you in for coming during a dental emergency. Most dentists went into their profession because they want to help people. They’re not out to get you. They want to help. I’d recommend you go. There could be other damage to the tooth you’re not aware of and the dentist can take precautions to help save the tooth.

I will say there is one scenario in which a dentist might be more likely to turn you in. That would be if you’re driving while high. As long as you have someone driving you to and from your appointment, you should be okay.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

My Tooth Crumbled. What Do I Do?

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I had a root canal and temporary filling done. I’m supposed to go in for the crown on Wednesday, but it seems my tooth has crumbled. I was eating and suddenly I felt bits of tooth in my food.  My dentist warned me I wouldn’t be able to put off getting the crown, but this is sooner than expected. Do I need to see an emergency dentist?

Barth – New Mexico

Barth,

Of course, I can’t tell you with certainty without seeing you, but I suspect it isn’t your tooth crumbling, but the temporary filling coming out. Look in the tooth. Is there a hole in the center? That’s where your filling should be.

If that is the case, you won’t need an . Instead, you can just get some store bought tooth filling to tide you over until your appointment on Wednesday. It’s meant for situations specifically like yours.

However, if you look back there and the tooth is gone, then yes, you’ve got a problem. Call your dentist. They likely have a protocol for situations like these and may have you come in early.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

When does a dental crown require an emergency visit?

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I’ve had several dental crowns done over the years. Most of them are fine and look good. One has always had a slight defect. It’s nothing major, just a small divot in the crown. However, lately, it’s gotten rougher feeling and has started picking up stains.  Is this an emergency? What do I do? I’m about to go an overseas trip and don’t want something to happen while I’m gone.

Braydon L.

Braydon,

While this isn’t a dental emergency, it does sound like your crown is having some issues. It’s possible it’s even cracked. If I were in your place, I’d have it looked at before leaving the country, in case it needs to be replaced.

You didn’t say how old your crowns are, but it may just be time for them to be re-done.  That happens. Things wear out, including our bodies.

Talk to your dentist regarding your upcoming trip so he or she can schedule you in with plenty of time to spare.

If your dentist tries to tell you that all of them need to be replaced to get the crowns to match, that is a warning sign. It means he’s not a skilled cosmetic dentist. One crown can be made to match the others.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

How long does bonding from an emergency dentist last?

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I had a fall and chipped my tooth. I went to see an emergency dentist. He put some kind of bonding on it to close the chip and sent me home.  How long will that bonding last?

Sadie M. – Alabama

Sadie,

It’s likely that the emergency dentist did composite dental bonding to repair your chipped tooth. If that’s the case, then it will last for years.  However, I hope your emergency dentist suggested you go to your dentist for follow up treatment. Not because of the bonding, but because of the trauma.

There’s always a chance the blood flow was cut off in accident. It may not show up right away, but it will cause the tooth to die and need a root canal.

You’d want to be aware of this before it causes an abscess.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Don’t want to be lectured by dentist

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I haven’t been to the dentist in years. I’m having a problem with one of my teeth now. I know that is my fault, but I don’t really want to get a lecture from the dentist. If I liked them, I’d go. I don’t. How do I avoid a preachy dentist?

Marcus G. – Little Rock, AR

Marcus,

First, because you are currently having a problem, you’ll need to see a dentist right away. My suggestion is you get to an emergency dentist. You likely have a tooth infection, which will spread to other parts of your body.

It’s hard to know what a dentist’s chairside manner will be like without visiting with them, but one thing I would suggest is looking for emergency dentists that specifically mention treating fearful patients.

If they mention options for fearful patients on their site, then they’re likely not going to judge or lecture you. They understand what it means to have dental anxiety.

Some, like Dr. Perry, even specifically mention on their site that you won’t be judged or lectured.  So, you might look for something to that effect as well.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Terrible toothache with terrible fear of the dentist

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I have a horrible toothache. I know there’s a problem, but I don’t have a dentist. Even if I did, I wouldn’t likely go.  I haven’t gone in ages.  Mostly because they terrify me.  Even if I could get past the fear, I definitely wouldn’t want a lecture. Is there something I can do about it at home?

Audrey L. – Kentucky

Audrey,

You’re definitely not the first person to avoid the dentist.  Many people feel the way you do.  If you have a toothache, you likely have a tooth infection.  You’ll want to deal with this as soon as possible, because it will do nothing but spread.

Unfortunately, there is no way to treat this at home.  You will have to bite the bullet and see and actual dentist.  I do realize you don’t have one, but there are emergency dentists who will see you quickly. Many will see you the same day you call.

I have more good news for you too.  If you go to an emergency dentist who uses sedation, they’re likely to be accostomed to fearful patients.  You won’t be judged or lectured. In fact, you’ll also be treated to a pain free appointment.

Don’t put this off.

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

 

 

Are store bought fillings legit?

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I have a filling that is coming loose.  I noticed when waiting on a prescription that my pharmacy has dental filling material. Is that legitimate.  Can I just pu tthat in place of my old filling?

Brooklyn D. – Conway, AR

Brooklyn,

Those store bought dental fillings are meant to be temporary. They’ll only last a few days.  But, even if they were meant to be permanent, the fact that your filling is coming loose means that something is wrong.

You need to have a dentist look at this.  If you don’t have a dentist, I suggest you go to an emergency dentist. They can look at your tooth and see if there is an underlying infection.

Don’t put this off. If there is an infection. It will spread and can cause a great deal of problems.

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

Do you have to tell an emergency dentist everything?

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If I have a dental emergency, do I have to tell the dentist how it happened. I lost a tooth, but I don’t want to tell him how.  Will that matter?

Name Withheld.

Hi,

There are rules concerning confidentiality, but they’re not always clear.  In general, as long as the dentist doesn’t think you are going to be a harm to yourself or to others, a dentist won’t ask too many questions or report you for anything.

I want to caution you not to lie to the dentist about anything that could affect your emergency dental care.  You can decline to give him information, or you can skew the information a little bit to keep out of trouble.

I also want to caution you not to avoid the dentist.  If you truly do have a dental emergency and don’t get seen, then you’re at risk of losing your tooth…or worse. Most dentists get into their profession because they want to help people.  They’re not out to get you.

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

Is a crown supposed to fall off?

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I got my first dental crown a couple of weeks ago.  It wasn’t the best experience of my life. This morning after I brushed my teeth the crown fell off.  Is this supposed to happen?  My dentist said it was normal and nothing to worry about, but I’m not too thrilled with the idea of having to worry about it falling out at any time.

Zhiva H. – Brooklyn

Zhiva,

No, this is not normal. I’m a little shocked your dentist would consider it normal.  Most dentists go their entire careers without a single crown falling out. The fact that your dentist thinks this is a normal occurance is concerning.

You need to get this crown re-cemented. You want it to be done fairly soon.  After a few days, your teeth will begin to shift. Your original crown will no longer fit and you’ll need to start the process over.

You may not want to hear this next part, but I don’t think you should go to your dentist to have this rebonded, though I’m sure he does it for free.  If this is a regular occurance for him, you’ll never have security with your crown.  Call around to some local dentists. Some will see non-established patients the same day in the case of a dental emergency.  Let them know what is going on. I’m positive one of them will see you.

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.