Baton Rouge Dentist

How Long Does It Take Antibiotics to Improve a Toothache?

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Last week, I began taking antibiotics for a toothache. My dentist looked at my X-ray from May and said she didn’t see any signs of an infection or damage to my tooth. She recommended the antibiotics as a precaution. When should I expect to see improvement? My dentist didn’t recommend a follow-up appointment. What should I expect? Thanks. Edwin from IN

Edwin,

A new X-ray is necessary because your current symptoms indicate a change in your dental health since your last checkup. The previous X-rays, which were likely bitewings showing only the upper portions of your teeth, don’t provide a complete picture. A periapical X-ray shows the entire tooth, especially the root tip, where an infection would be visible.

What Diagnostic Procedures Should a Dentist Follow?

A thorough diagnosis involves more than just a visual check for a cracked filling. A dentist should perform several tests to identify the cause of the pain and determine the correct treatment plan.

  • Is the pain aggravated by tapping on the tooth? This simple test can indicate inflammation around the tooth’s root.
  • Does the tooth respond to thermal changes? A dentist should apply cold and heat to the tooth to assess its reaction. Increased or lingering sensitivity to temperature can signal a problem with the tooth pulp.
  • Is the pulp alive? An electric pulp tester is a common tool used to determine if the nerve inside the tooth is active.

Will Antibiotics Alone Eliminate a Toothache?

Root canal emergency diagram of five procedure steps
Root canal treatment (not antibiotics) removes infection from the tooth

Using antibiotics to treat dental pain only addresses the symptoms, not the cause. Antibiotics can help reduce an infection that has spread into the bone, but they cannot reach the bacteria inside the tooth itself.

Once the antibiotic course is finished, the infection will return, often with greater severity. Any remaining bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance, making the infection much harder to treat in the future. Therefore, root canal therapy to eliminate the infection, rather than just a prescription for antibiotics, is essential.

You can ask your dentist about a treatment plan or get a second opinion.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.

Why Does Cool Water Relieve My Toothache Temporarily?

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I got four fillings 12 years ago, and two fell out. The fills that fell out don’t hurt, but one of the remaining fillings causes severe pain when I chew on that side of my mouth. Swishing my mouth with cool water relieves the pain but only briefly. Why would a stable filling hurt? Thanks. Braxton from OK

 

Braxton,

The tooth with the filling that hurts when you chew has symptoms of dying tooth pulp. You will need root canal treatment to save the tooth. Bacteria may have seeped beneath the filling, causing decay. As the tooth pulp dies, gases from bacteria increase pressure inside the tooth and cause a toothache.

Why Does Cool Water Decrease Tooth Pain?

Cool water decreases the gases released from bacteria inside a tooth and temporarily eases tooth pain. It is like the relief from applying an ice pack to reduce swelling in a sprained wrist or ankle.

You can get relief from root canal treatment to remove the infected tissue inside your tooth. After the root canal, your dentist will seal the tooth after replacing the diseased pulp with dental filler material. A dental crown will protect the tooth from further weakening.

Your dentist will recommend replacing the fillings that fell out. Checking the remaining fillings can prevent future concerns.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post.  Read how Dr. Perry strives to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.

What’s Next If I Had a Root Canal Fail?

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Man frowning and holding the side of his face; for Baton Rouge emergency dentistry from Dr. Ryan Perry.What’s next if I had a root canal fail? A toothache that has been bothering me for the past two months got so bad last weekend that I saw a nearby dentist for a same-day appointment. I did not want to return to my previous dentist because I didn’t like the customer service at the practice, and the hygienist is quirky. The toothache was in an upper left first molar tooth that my dentist did a root canal on two years ago. The dentist I saw most recently said she would need to refer me to an endodontist for a procedure called an apico? I have been a little slack about going to the dentist, and I haven’t seen one since I quit my last dentist, so maybe I could have avoided this. What is this apico procedure, and do I really need it? Thanks. Malachi

Malachi,

It’s good that you made a same-day appointment with a dentist. If you have a lingering toothache, you need treatment. Whether you need an apicoectomy depends on the X-ray results. You can get a second opinion from another dentist or an endodontist (root canal specialist). If you have problems with a root canal tooth, you will probably still need to see an endodontist.

What Is an Apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy is a minor surgical procedure that accesses the tooth root through an opening in the gum tissue and bone. An endodontist will remove the inflamed or infected tissue and remove the root tip. The endodontist will fit the root with a special material and seal it. Stitches will close the area and help it heal. According to the American Association of Endodontics, your jawbone will heal around the tooth root in a few months.

Why Do You Need an Apicoectomy?

If a dentist or endodontist cannot access a tooth infection near the root tip by opening the crown, they will recommend an apicoectomy. Sometimes after root canal treatment, infection in the tooth’s canals in the tooth can remain, particularly in areas that are difficult to reach. Then, you may need a second root canal or an apicoectomy.

You can get a second opinion from another dentist or an endodontist, a specialist who can provide the most accurate diagnosis and precise treatment.

 

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.

Root canal tooth hurting again?

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Almost three years ago, I had a root canal on an upper right molar. In May, the tooth started hurting on and off. I hesitated to do anything about it because I didn’t want to go to the dentist during the pandemic. But now the pain isn’t on and off. It’s just on and getting worse. I don’t want to lose the tooth. I’m not an established patient with any dentist. Part of my hesitancy is that after a dental cleaning and exam last October, I became very ill the next day with what resulted in a month-long respiratory infection. I still have some chest congestion from it. I’m convinced that I got the infection from the dental office. I decided not to return to that office, but now with a throbbing toothache, I’ll have to find a new dentist. In the middle of Covid-19, I don’t want to keep switching dentists. I want an idea of what’s going on. And can you tell me what to expect from a dentist for treatment options? What’s the best treatment is for a root canal tooth that’s aching? Thanks for your input.  Demetrius from Montgomery, AL

Demetrius,

We understand your hesitancy about going to a dentist. Your failed root canal treatment and illness after a dental appointment can create anxiety. But you likely realize that your throbbing tooth won’t improve without help from a dentist. So what’s causing your pain?

What Is Root Canal Failure?

Diagram of tooth with needing a root canal treatment
Although root canal treatment is usually successful, it sometimes fails

Root canal failure is a condition that occurs when a tooth doesn’t heal completely after root canal treatment. Symptoms eventually resurface and get worse. About one in ten teeth experience root canal failure.

Although Dr. Perry has extensive experience in root canal treatment, he would need to examine your tooth for an accurate diagnosis, it seems that root canal failure is causing your pain.

Why Are the Causes of Root Canal Failure?

Root canal treatment can sometimes fail for several reasons:

  • It’s impossible to see deep inside a tooth.
  • Some teeth have curved, branching roots that are difficult to clean.
  • If a dentist misses some of the infection in curved roots, symptoms will resurface.
  • Curvy, challenging roots require specialized rotary instruments to clean them out. Many general dentists don’t have those tools, so they may not completely clear the tooth. You may be referred to a specialist to complete root canal treatment.

What Is the Treatment for Root Canal Failure?

Treatment for root canal failure is either to perform another root canal treatment or root canal surgery. Most general dentists don’t have advanced training in this area, so an endodontist, or root canal specialist, usually completes the work. The specialist will identify the location of the infection that the dentist missed the first time and remove it or seal it off. Many root canal specialists say that retreatment has a 50% success rate, but the results are often better.

A specialist will also examine the condition of your tooth. If it’s cracked, the chances of saving your tooth decrease. Don’t delay treatment. Search online for a dentist with experience in root canal treatment who will see you right away, examine your tooth, and refer you to a specialist if needed.

Ryan Perry, DDS, of Baton Rouge sponsors this post.

 

Is Chest Pain Related to a Toothache?

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Hello there,

My grandmother is getting up there in age, but she dislikes going to the hospital and distrusts doctors. She’s in good health, but has started complaining of both a toothache and chest pain. She says that the chest pain is not new, but the toothache is.

Is chest pain along with a toothache an issue when you get older? Is it an emergency? Does she need to go to the doctor, or the dentist?

Travis, from Rochester, MA

 

Hi Travis,

A toothache and chest pain can mean a heart attack. You need to have her checked right away!

In a heart attack, the patient can have pain in the left arm or in the left jaw. Jaw pain is felt in about 10% of the cases. And remember that, due to how nerves travel through the body, everyone’s symptoms can be different. Instead of facial pain, you may experience a toothache, as pain can radiate through the lower left part of jaw, or across the lower arch. Despite your grandmother’s resistance, this is urgent and important.

Dental issues are not limited to the mouth. Good oral health and good cardiovascular health are linked. On the flip side, those with extensive gum disease are at risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Once your grandmother is better, you should take her to see a family dentist regularly. Regular assessments will cut down on the emergency dental trips, as well.

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

 

What Can I Do About a Tooth Infection?

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Hello there,

I am in a bit of a predicament. My job does not provide and medical or dental insurance. However, I’ve been battling with what I think is a tooth infection. My face is swollen and puffy, and it aches all the time. My job doesn’t pay a lot, so I don’t have the money to treat this. What can I do?

Christopher, from Kansas City, Kansas

 

Hello Christopher,

It does sound like you have a tooth infection. Your infection may start to drain, which would release some of the swelling you feel, but it probably will not do that without any intervention.

Many communities have low-cost or mobile dental clinics, or allow you to pay on a sliding scale. You can start calling offices to see who is willing to work with you. Universities often have low-cost clinics. However, if your pain becomes worse, you should go to see an emergency dentist. Oral infections, if left untreated, can spread to other parts of your body. If it spreads to your brain, it can become very serious.

While you are looking for a clinic, do not try to treat the infection with antibiotics on your own. Antibiotics cannot treat infections present inside of teeth, only the swelling. You will likely need a root canal or an extraction to fully rid your mouth of the infection. If you take an antibiotic without any sort of treatment plan, the infection may come back, and when it does, it will be resistant to antibiotics. This will make curing the infection even more difficult.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge emergency dentist, Dr. Ryan P. Perry.

Am I Too Young For Dentures?

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Hi,

As a child, I never learned how to take care of my teeth. I also never went to the pediatric dentist, either – I didn’t see any dentist until I was in my twenties. When I finally went in, it was for a toothache and the dentist found that nearly all my teeth had serious issues. I was quoted an insanely high treatment plan estimate – nearly $10,000, even with insurance! I can’t afford that, but I’ve been going in whenever there’s a problem. Since then, I’ve had multiple teeth pulled, and I don’t see that stopping in the foreseeable future. I asked if I could just get dentures instead, but was told I was too young (I’m in my 30s). Would dentures really be that bad? It’d be nice to have a beautiful smile for once. Am I really too young for dentures?

Thank you,

Bebe, from Versailles, Kentucky.

 

Hi Bebe,

It’s difficult to fix a problem 30+ years in the making, but finding a supportive dentist will be a good start. Your dentist should have taken your concerns into account. Given your background, it’s not so unheard of to get dentures, even at your age. Your dentist should design a treatment plan that that saves any healthy teeth they can, instead of getting all of them extracted at once. This can be done over time and will save you money.

The only issue with dentures is that they will not feel like your natural teeth. While you may be a candidate for a partial or full upper denture, you can also consider implant overdentures, though implants would increase the cost.

Once all your teeth are extracted, the process of resorption will begin; your jaw will begin to break down over time, and this can lead to facial collapse, where the face is shrunken in appearance. Dental implants in the jaw will halt this process. If you get your teeth out now, you will be dealing with bone loss for the next few decades.

Dentures are not bad, but you should definitely save as many teeth as you can, and hold onto your natural teeth as long as possible. In your case, dentures would improve your smile, life, and confidence, but will lead to the issue of bone loss later on. Take your time with this process, and find a dentist you can trust to lead you through this.

This blog post 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.