dental emergencies Archives | Williams Family Dentistry

Does My Dentist Needs to Know Everything?

Posted on February 15, 2023 by writeradmin.

I am supposed to go on a mission trip and am worried that I will disqualify myself if I tell my dentist everything. We are supposed to bring a letter of good health that includes both medical and dental. The thing is, I’ve had a toothache on and off on a canine tooth. I’m afraid if I tell him about it, I won’t get to go on my trip. Is it okay to leave something out when you’re talking to the dentist?

Ainsley

Dear Ainsley,

I can tell you are excited about your mission trip and it is wonderful that you are trying to help others. Here are some things to consider.

First, the toothache could be absolutely nothing to worry about. Your canine teeth roots can be long and up by your sinuses. It could be just a matter of some drainage or stuffiness that is giving referred pain.

Second, even if there is something wrong, it could be an easy quick solution and you are worrying over nothing.

Finally, if you ignore it and there is something there, that something could blow up while you are on your mission trip, leaving you with a dental emergency. If that happens, you probably will not have access to the proper care you need. Plus, you will be unable to serve the people you went there to help because you will be in too much pain.

Chances are, though, even if you do not tell your dentist if there is something wrong, he will find it in the course of your examination. It is always safer to be upfront with these types of things to be as efficient as possible.

Just because you have a toothache does not mean he cannot fix it in plenty of time for you to go on your trip with an honest clean bill of health.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Do Dentists Use Restraints on Children?

Posted on August 31, 2022 by writeradmin.

My sister-in-law and I were talking about our children’s teeth. I mentioned that my son loves his dentist. It’s actually where I get most of my reading done while I am waiting in the waiting room. She said I should never let my child go back to the dentist without me there because some dentists restrain children. I was shocked. I think, though, if my son were being restrained he wouldn’t like going to the dentist as much, right? should I be worried?

Pamela

Dear Pamela,

First, to put your mind at ease, I don’t think you need to be worried at all. Your son loves the dentist and I don’t think he would if anything unpleasant was happening. It sounds like you’ve given him a good foundation in dental care so that his appointments are fun and not about painful dental emergencies. It also sounds like he is happy, confident, and self-sufficient. So, don’t let your sister-in-law give you doubts. I am not espousing one method of parenting over another. I know plenty of parents who go back with their children and they do very well also. The key is knowing YOUR child and what works for them.

Second, let’s go over this idea of restraints. There are two types of restraints in dental care. Those pictured to the left are sometimes called mouth restraints or mouth props. They are designed to keep a child’s mouth open during the procedure. This is for their protection.

A colleague in dental school once told me that he didn’t use one and the child bit down while he was drilling. This caused the drill to go through the tooth and into the child’s gums. He’s never done a procedure on a child without one since that horrible incident. This type of restraint I would say is necessary and makes the child comfortable and safe.

There is another type of restraint, called a papoose. I’ve pictured this below.

Pediatric Paposse Board

These are generally only used in situations where there is a dental emergency and the child will not calm down enough for them to get the work done. It feels like a hug on the child and almost always calms them down. Most dentists who regularly work with children have ways of calming even difficult children. Though, sometimes if it is a highly invasive procedure, you may want to consider dental sedation as an alternative.

As I mentioned earlier, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Your son seems to be perfectly content with his pediatric dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Novocaine Doesn’t Work for Me

Posted on April 28, 2021 by writeradmin.

Can you help me? I have never had a dental procedure where Novocain worked for me. This is true no matter how many shots they give me. Because of this, all my dental procedures have been excruciating. It is to the point where I only go if there is no other choice because of a tooth infection. My mouth is a wreck as a result. Is there any hope I can have a healthy smile?

Mandy

Dear Mandy,

I am so sorry for all you have been through. The fact that you are trying to get to the dentist again says a lot about your courage. I also feel confident I can help you.

There is a phenomenon that many dentists are still unaware of that pertains to this very issue. We have found there is a connection between dental anxiety and Novocaine resistance. In other words, the more anxious a patient is going in to a procedure, the higher the likelihood the Novocaine will not work for them. We’re not certain as to why. Some speculate it is a metabolism issue, meaning that your metabolism jumps up during anxiety which in turn burns off the numbing medication too quickly for it to be effective.

The solution is to go to a dentist who is willing to use a relaxant, such as you’d find with dental sedation. I suggest you do an internet search for a sedation dentist. In your case, I would specifically look for one who offers oral conscious sedation.

This is so strong that most patients sleep through their procedures. The only real downside is you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment as well as stay with you at home for a few hours until you are lucid and steady on your feet again.

In addition to giving you a completely relaxed experience at the dentist, it will also allow you to catch up on your needed dental work much faster because you are able to have more procedures done at each appointment. Before you know it, you will have a healthy, beautiful smile once more with no more dental emergencies.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Weaver.

Disagreeing with Her Oral Surgeon

Posted on December 3, 2020 by writeradmin.

I had two root canals done on my left jaw. In addition to that, I have an impacted wisdom tooth, which is infected. The teeth that had the root canal still bother me. I want my oral surgeon to take out all the teeth at once but he is refusing, so I haven’t gone back to do the wisdom tooth. I feel like I should be the one to decide how many teeth are removed. Can you give me anything I can say to him to change his mind?

Marilyn

Dear Marilyn,

I am worried you are playing with fire here. I haven’t examined you or seen any x-rays. Anything I say will be a guess. Here is what I can infer from what you’re saying. You want three teeth removed but your oral surgeon only wants to take out the one infected wisdom tooth. Truthfully, your oral surgeon would make three times the money extracting all the teeth you are asking him to. The fact that he is saying no means that he doesn’t think those teeth need to be extracted.

You basically have a couple of safe options here. The first is to go ahead and get the infected wisdom tooth removed, following your dentist’s advice and leave the other teeth. The second is to go to a different dentist will less integrity who will remove healthy teeth just for the fees it generates.

The worst thing you can do is leave the wisdom tooth there trying to hold your dentist hostage to your desire. Infected teeth are considered dental emergencies for a very good reason. Without the proper treatment, this will spread. Your jaw is close to your heart, lungs, and brain. You don’t want the infection spreading there.

The benefit of just removing the wisdom tooth is you get to keep some natural teeth, which is always important. Also, while an extracted wisdom tooth doesn’t need to be replaced, the molars will. That adds another expense. The best tooth replacement is a dental implant, which means surgery.

I know you said the root-canaled teeth are still bothering you. Here is my suggestion. It is likely those teeth are bothering you because of the infected tooth. Once that is extracted, you should get some relief. Do that. Keep yourself safe. Then, if the teeth are still bothering you, go ahead and get them extracted. I’d just have for you to lose healthy teeth unnecessarily.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentists Dr. John Weaver.

Worried Pediatric Dentist Experimented on my Daughter

Posted on November 7, 2018 by writeradmin.

I’ve got a conundrum. My daughter’s old pediatric dentist was an absolute joy. My daughter loved her. Her appointments were fun and a breeze. Unfortunately, my husband’s company transferred him and we moved. My daughter had her first appointment with her new dentist. It didn’t go as well. They were a tad grumpy at times. But, the worst part (for my daughter at least) was the fluoride treatment. Our old dentist used the paint on fluoride that my daughter loved. This dentist used this foamy stuff in a tray that made my daughter gag. She does not want to do that again. I told them about the other fluoride hoping we could get it for next time. I was horrified when they told me they only used established treatments and the paint on fluoride was experimental. Does this mean the old dentist we loved so much was just experimenting on my daughter?

Emily

Dear Emily,

Little girl smiling in a pediatric dental chair

Your daughter can be happy again with her pediatric dentist

Absolutely not. You have nothing to worry about with the fluoride treatments your daughter received from her previous pediatric dentist. They’re not only not experimental. They’re now the standard treatment. The American Academy of Dentistry gave its positive recommendation of it back in 2006 and even that was only after extensive testing.

There have even been newer studies done which followed patients who’ve used the treatment regularly to check that fluorosis wasn’t a problem in their later years. The findings were fantastic and there was no concern of fluorosis in their permanent teeth.

Your daughter received the top-of-the-line treatment with your old dentist and you have nothing to fear. Truthfully, it was dishonest and a disservice to you, causing fear that was totally unnecessary. If he chooses to use the old foam treatment, that’s fine, but it’s only because of preference. There is no medical reason to stick with the “old way of doing things”.

The Importance of a Great Pediatric Dentist

In your place, I’d look for a different dentist in your new area. One who keeps up with the developments. Most importantly, one who makes your daughter’s appointments enjoyable like the last one did. The truth is too many patients avoid the dentist because of bad experiences in their childhood.

The more positive experiences your daughter has, the less likely she is to avoid the dentist as she grows older. We see so many preventable dental emergencies because people fear the dentist and let decay go too far until suddenly it’s blown up into a serious infection.

Finding the right dentist will give your daughter a lifetime of positive oral health.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington Dentist Dr. John Weaver.