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Bad Tooth

post #1 of 12
5/24/11 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
I have a bad tooth that's really been bugging me the past few days. I wanna go to the dentist to get it taken care of, but Medicare doesn't pay for dentistry (like a person's teeth can't get bad and shouldn't be considered under insurance), and I don't have the money to pay for it right now. I've been chewing on BC powders to help ease the pain (I can put the stuff directly on the bad tooth that way), and it helps lessen the pain temporarily. I'm wondering if any of y'all have any other suggestions I can try to use to help with the pain. I'd appreciate it!
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post #2 of 12
5/24/11 at 5:58pm
Call up the university or college in your area. They likely have dentistry students that need patients to complete their practicum, so the work would be free.
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post #3 of 12
5/24/11 at 6:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Natalie_ca View Post
Call up the university or college in your area. They likely have dentistry students that need patients to complete their practicum, so the work would be free.
There aren't any universities or colleges in the immediate area. The closet would be Houston, and that's almost 100 miles away. I appreciate the suggestion though, Linda.
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post #4 of 12
5/25/11 at 4:33am
I really have no suggestions but I feel your pain

I had a wicked time with my wisdom teeth this past winter, the pain was unbelieveable. My dentist gave me a heavy duty pain killer and with an antibiotic and that cleared it up...

I really wish there was something I could do to help...is there anyway you could borrow the mony from someone? Or make a payment plan with your dentist?
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post #5 of 12
5/25/11 at 4:55am
Pour some vanilla extract on a cotton ball and apply it directly on the tooth. It worked for me before I could get into the dentist. I hope it works for you too!
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post #6 of 12
5/25/11 at 7:15am
Oh my I am so sorry you are having a tooth issue. I don't know any remedies. Like someone else said, I would ask if I could pay a little at the time until it was paid. Depending on what is wrong, it could be worse to fix it later. I hope you find a solution.
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post #7 of 12
5/25/11 at 7:33am
That is the worst!!!!! Can't believe there is no dental coverage in Medicare that is terrible!!! Anyway, I also have heard about Pure Vanilla Extract, use a q-tip and rub it on the tooth and gums. I have also heard of salt water rinse for ten minutes and try to swish for sixty seconds at a time . Crest Sensitivity might also help. Also, if there is an infection, Amoxicillin will do it. So maybe go the doctor route first since Medicare will pay for that. Sorry about your tooth pain, that can be unbearable
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post #8 of 12
5/25/11 at 9:01am
Last year, on a weekend, I had a bad infection in a tooth and I went to an urgent care facility. The doctor gave me an antibiotic and mild pain killer. That may be an option. Good luck and I hope you feel better!
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post #9 of 12
5/25/11 at 9:35am
That really sucks. Have you tried Orajel? I used it for about a week while traveling, and it really helped.
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post #10 of 12
5/25/11 at 9:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KittKatt View Post
I have a bad tooth that's really been bugging me the past few days. I wanna go to the dentist to get it taken care of, but Medicare doesn't pay for dentistry (like a person's teeth can't get bad and shouldn't be considered under insurance), and I don't have the money to pay for it right now. I've been chewing on BC powders to help ease the pain (I can put the stuff directly on the bad tooth that way), and it helps lessen the pain temporarily. I'm wondering if any of y'all have any other suggestions I can try to use to help with the pain. I'd appreciate it!
No suggestions, but it's always seemed crazy to me that Medicare and Medicaid don't pay for dental or vision problems, and those are the two items that seriously affect the quality of life of those covered.
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post #11 of 12
5/26/11 at 3:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
That really sucks. Have you tried Orajel? I used it for about a week while traveling, and it really helped.
I picked some up yesterday after I was done with my doctor's appts. It helps, but unfortunately, doesn't last long. The BC powders seem to work better.

It's not too bad today. I really don't think it's infected because if it was, the pain would be much worse and wouldn't subside. I've had infected teeth before, so I know what it's like.

I really don't understand just why Medicare won't cover dental work: that's just so stupid IMO. Your teeth are health-related, too.

I don't know of anyone who I could ask to borrow me the money, and I really don't like borrowing money unless it's a dire emergency. Also, none of the dentists around here will allow you to run a bill - I checked. I can't say as I really blame them too much, since most of the time they end up getting stuck with the bill. Irresponsible people really tick me off: they make it difficult for the responsible people to get any credit when something like this arises.

Thanks for all your input, everyone!
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post #12 of 12
5/26/11 at 3:57pm
If you don't think it's infected, have you tried flossing? Or flossing again? I mention it because a few weeks ago I woke up around 3AM with a toothache. I've never had a toothache before, and it scared me! I kept thinking, "I was just at the dentist for a checkup a month ago and all was fine! I can't afford a toothache problem right now! I'm scared of having a 'procedure' done!!" I got up, tried to look at it in the mirror with another mirror to see if I saw anything, but I couldn't cos it was too far back. Finally, I decided to floss for some reason, even though I flossed before I went to bed a few hours earlier. Well it must've gotten something, because a half hour or so after that the pain disappeared. Yay! I wonder if the floss the first time shoved something further in between teeth and the pressure just hit the one tooth bad. Anyway, I hope your tooth feels better soon or that you're able to find someplace that will fix it and work with you!!
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