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I would not go back to him. Just research online and I think you'll see that there are many natural cures for your problem. I'd try all natural remedies first. If that didn't work, I'd go see Dr. Fleming, in Durham. He's a dentist that uses natural procedures as much as possible.
best,
toodie
While I'm all for getting second opinions, I think it's pretty awful advice to tell someone to ignore the advice of trained medical professionals and "just research online". If you could learn everything doctors and dentists know by googling, I'd have a white coat, a stethoscope, and a larger salary.
If you have 6mm pockets, then you have "Severe" Periodontal disease. It is likely that the biofilm and goop that had accumulated on those roots were insulating the tooth from air. Now that the tooth is smooth and not insulated, it hurts to air!! Try some anti-sensitivity toothpaste and/or some really high concentration fluoride (5000ppm), and try to ignore people like the post above me.
Hang in there. This is a serious disease that did not grow to this severity overnight, and you won't be like a healthy 16 year-old over night, either. All you can do to save these teeth (and hopefully shut down your immune system's all-out blind assault on these tissues as well as other organs) is to keep them as spiffy-clean as possible! You can do it!!
+5
Been there, and the gum work was tender for a month or so, but likely saved me a few teeth.
It gets better.
If you had a 6 you definitely needed it cleaned in this fashion. What bothers me is that you weren't feeling any pain from a 6 because my pain level starts at about 4 or 5 so for a 6 I'd be running to the dentist pronto. Give it more time to heel; that is what is happening, your gums and teeth do not heel overnight. Get a tube of Sensodyne; it will help but probably not overnight either.
So I let my dentist convince me to have some periodontal deep cleaning on two areas of back molars. I had not had any previous pain, sensitivity or discomfort in these areas, but at a routine cleaning when they check the "pockets" around your teeth, I had a couple of "6s". So I had the deep cleaning done. Since that time (about 3 weeks ago) I have had discomfort that comes and goes during the day, sensitivity when flossing in those areas (kinda like the floss is touching a nerve). I have an appt to go back next week and I doubt he's going to admit that the "deep cleaning" had anything to do with these new developments. I also have a feeling he's going to tell me I need a root canal on this tooth now.
Avoid root canals if possible.
I chose to loose a way back molar instead of having a root canal.
Research dangers of them.
I had a really deep cleaning about a month ago. I have deep cleanings about 3 times a year as i've had some major work done and need to keep up on my dental maintenance.
I have a pocket and a 9! Darn.
I often will experience discomfort after these cleanings for up to a month.
Try a warm salt water rinse once or twice a day, It can be very soothing.
Or a Neem mouth wash (health food store) can be helpful too.
So I let my dentist convince me to have some periodontal deep cleaning on two areas of back molars. I had not had any previous pain, sensitivity or discomfort in these areas, but at a routine cleaning when they check the "pockets" around your teeth, I had a couple of "6s". So I had the deep cleaning done. Since that time (about 3 weeks ago) I have had discomfort that comes and goes during the day, sensitivity when flossing in those areas (kinda like the floss is touching a nerve). I have an appt to go back next week and I doubt he's going to admit that the "deep cleaning" had anything to do with these new developments. I also have a feeling he's going to tell me I need a root canal on this tooth now.
It's quite common to have discomfort after a deep cleaning. There are two sources of this pain. First, your gums will be tender because of the trauma of having instruments placed in them. Second, the cleaning scrapes away protective cementum and exposes the dentin which makes them hypersensitive. It takes quite a while for the tooth to "adjust" and dull the sensation. Also, the gums are inflamed (and swollen) by all the bacteria and plaque. After the cleaning, the irritants are removed, so the gums will shrink back to a healthy state. That exposes even more of your tooth and thus thermal and mechanical (e.g. flossing) stimulation can evoke pain.
If the pain you're experiencing is from this, then a root canal should not be necessary.
Avoid root canals if possible.
I chose to loose a way back molar instead of having a root canal.
Research dangers of them.
I had a really deep cleaning about a month ago. I have deep cleanings about 3 times a year as i've had some major work done and need to keep up on my dental maintenance.
I have a pocket and a 9! Darn.
I often will experience discomfort after these cleanings for up to a month.
Try a warm salt water rinse once or twice a day, It can be very soothing.
Or a Neem mouth wash (health food store) can be helpful too.
There are approximately 16 million root canals performed per year. I've got one in my mouth. So does my wife. Personally, I don't think they're dangerous. If I did, I'd have to quit my job because I do them all day.
Getting a second unbiased opinion from another dentist is never a bad thing.
It's funny how one dental office will say you need work costing several thousand dollars, but another dental office has a different opinion and says the work isn't needed.
This seems to be very common in this area for some reason. It's all about finding a dentist you feel comfortable with and can trust their diagnosis and treatment.
I've been to too many dental offices in this area that seem to be more concerned about generating revenue for the office than whether the patient really needs to have the work done.
I can really relate to what you've said. I went to the same dentist for probably 20 years. I recently decided to get a dentist in my hometown so I could avoid driving that 45 miles -- I've done it for over 15 years after moving!
So I go to this dentist office and get my normal cleaning. Fine. But the hygienist first tried to sell me this $100 toothbrush. Then I saw the dentist who wanted to do implants (thousands of $$$). When I told him I'd done that and had to have 2 removed, he went on to another tooth he said was cracked and needed a crown and maybe a root canal (around $1500 or so). Funny thing, I'd been to my dentist every 4-6 months for 20 years and nothing was ever said about a crack in my tooth.
So I went back for my next 6 mo. cleaning and I told her I had a chipped or crumbled enamel on a tooth. The hygienist then determined that I must grind my teeth and need a specially fitted nightguard for $495. And that I should make an appt to get that one tooth fixed...and of course the dentist would discuss my options.
I made an appt., then cancelled. I honestly believe this office got their license from an "improved sales seminar" rather than dental school.
Now I'm stuck without a dentist...thinking of calling up my old doc and driving the 45 miles. Could be worth it.
There are approximately 16 million root canals performed per year. I've got one in my mouth. So does my wife. Personally, I don't think they're dangerous. If I did, I'd have to quit my job because I do them all day.
If the first dentist is honest and the second one is completely careless and underdiagnoses gum disease because he is only concerned with getting out to the golf course, wouldn't the second opinion in this case be a "bad thing". There are plenty of dentists underdiagnosing periodontal disease. Why? Because it is hard to treat!
(There are plenty of lazy people out there. We got a plumber who told us that the sudden stoppage of bathroom sinks in our 40-year old house was due to the ventilation and design of the house. That was the second opinion, mind you.)
BranFlakes, Do you really think the dentist is going to risk a 4-year, 5-figure education investment just to slip by a quick $40?
THINK, people!!!
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