dental

[Guest guest]

thank you Dawn, nice informative and positive post

 

mary in mn

 

In a message dated 2/15/2007 8:24:45 A.M. Central Standard Time,

writes:

 

 

I have worked as a dental assistant who dealt most of her career in

oral surgery and endodontics (root canals.) I don't typically make a

habit of standing up for dentists, as most of them are quite capable

of doing that themselves.

 

But this time, I am going to, and offer a bit of a lesson from working

experience.

 

Allow me to say this: Yes, Debra, you are right. Everyone's pain

tolerances are entirely different. What won't cause one to bat an

eyelash sends another into painfilled spasms.

 

Your oral surgeon's reluctance to prescribe medications for pain,

unfortunately, is well founded. And not because of something you've done.

 

Too many people out there actually do abuse prescription meds and will

call dentist's offices every day sometimes requesting refills of

codiene, low grade morphine, and even Ambien, which is a well used

anti-anxiety drug. So doctors and dentists unfortunately have good

cause to be suspicious of someone who calls the next day and asks for

more meds, which will last a person who is in a more " normal " amount

of pain for a day or two at least.

 

If you've an abcessed tooth, chances are the infection is so great

that little in the way of pain medication is going to relieve the pain

until either A) the tooth is completely removed, or B) a root canal is

performed, and the root of the tooth which houses it's nerve centers

is removed and replaced with a permanent packing of sorts.

 

When any tissue becomes infected, it changes something called the Ph

of the tissues. Doctors and dentists on this list, please correct me

if I misspeak, but the bacteria which cause the infection secrete

forms of toxins which change the makeup or somehow manages to break

the painkillers up enough to render them ineffective.

 

What the dentist might do instead is something which is a fairly

common practice -- prescribe antibiotics along with painkillers (I am

a little surprised that they didn't to begin with as you presented

with an abcessed tooth) and have you come back in a few days once the

antibiotics have a chance to get a grip on the infection and help your

body lessen it. Not only will some of the pain usually go away, but

the xrays will be more clear and easier to take as the tissues aren't

as swollen or sore. Gives everyone a better picture of what is truly

happening.

 

So maybe you should call this dentist back and request an appointment

to see him/her and let them know EXACTLY how this abcess is making you

feel. Not only just to say " Hey, this isn't working, " but for one

other VERY important reason: If the infection spreads to the bones of

the face or the rest of the body, it can potentially and quickly turn

into a life threatening condition. Not to scare you as this really is

a worst case senario, but it is possible...

 

Just a few thoughts from a former dental assistant. Take what

resonates in good health, and bless the rest.

 

Dawn