Tooth Infection and No Money

I have two missing teeth in the back of my mouth. Now I have another tooth that has been hurting me. I don’t have dental insurance and I just started a new job and will not get paid for a month. I thought it would be okay to wait. However, this morning, my cheek is swollen and I am worried. Is there a way to treat this at home?

Laura

Dear Laura,

You are in a tough spot. Unfortunately, there isn’t really a way to take care of a tooth infection at home. In order to treat a tooth infection, the infected pulp has to be physically removed. There are two ways to do this— a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction.

The first option, a root canal treatment, is the ideal because it will mean that you can save your tooth. with this the dentist goes in and takes out the infected tissue. Often, the tooth will be capped with a dental crown to protect the tooth.

If the tooth cannot be saved, then the only other option is to extract the tooth. You don’t want to leave an open space there and will want to replace the tooth. If you don’t, the other teeth near the area with drift or tip into the space. This throws off your bite and could lead to TMJ Disorder. Then, you’re dealing with jaw pain and headaches all the time.

Because your infection has spread out of the tooth and is now in your cheek, I would consider it a dental emergency. This will continue to spread. It can move up from your cheek to your brain, or down from your cheek to your throat or heart. All of those are life-threatening. Most people don’t realize that there are deaths every year from untreated tooth infections.

I know you are having financial issues. The good news is that most dentists and endodontists are compassionate and went into their field because they wanted to help people. You may call around and see if there is someone willing to get you the treatment you need and then allow you to pay it out. If you cannot find a dentist willing to work with you, I would call your local dental society and ask them for options. There are dental charities who will help people in your situation. The only downside is that they do the easiest/cheapest treatment, which in your case would be an extraction.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonia Endodontist Dr. Scott Janse.