I have an OUTRAGEOUS pain in my tooth. Trying to go to dentist but I don’t have insurance, regardless, I was told by a dentist if it is a gum infection this is something you see a doctor for, not a dentist. So how do you tell if it is a toothache or a gum infection cause I cant take the pain its unbearable!!
Thanks!!
Disclaimer: The information in this website should not be used as a substitute for the care and advice of your personal dentist or another physician.
#1 by Jessie on February 19, 2010 - 1:37 am
Gum infections that are related to malnutrition eg vitamin C deficieny or due to systemic disease is the only type not really relevant to dentist, controlled more by a doctors prescription! (but still diagnosed by a dentist!)
But i find a dentist telling u that really weired….!!!! are you sure he is qualified?
any gum disease is most often than not purely the dentists concern! have you heard of gum inflammation where u have to go to the dentist for cleaning etc?
regardless of whether it is from the tooth or the gums u do have to go for dental treatment.
Most common situation is when the pain is so severe u cant sleep, do ur routine work etc then its defintely a tooth with pulpal involvement (meaning it needs root canal).
i wish i can keep enumerating dental diseases for u to find out what u have, unfortunately i cant we’d run out of space. if u can be more specific bout the pain, onset, aggravating factors, any medical conditiions? i can be of more help
#2 by rickmcco on February 19, 2010 - 4:02 am
Regardless of gum ortooth disorder, you need to see a dentist. they can prescribe antibiotics. If your gums are bleeding, swollem, or ‘long, it probably peritonitis. If it’s a localized, centered pain, it’s porbably an exposed nerve, decaying tooth, or rotten root. Get to a dentist–it most likely won’t get better on its own.
#3 by S.S on February 19, 2010 - 7:02 am
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#4 by KittyKat on February 19, 2010 - 8:30 am
Constant, throbbing pain likely means you need a root canal, and perhaps have an abscess. If this is the case, you are going to have to see a dentist. Until you can get to a dentist, you can get a little pain relief by packing a dry tea bag between the affected tooth area and your cheek. Don’t know why this helps but it really does. Give it a try. Hope you feel better.
#5 by thetoofg on February 19, 2010 - 8:57 am
hmmm…. sounds kinda of odd to me. if it’s a gum or tooth infection, a dentist should be able to treat it.
you should see a dentist right away. they take a xray of the tooth, from which they can tell if it’s a gum or tooth infection.
the easiest way at home to tell if it’s gum or tooth infection is looking at the tooth that hurts the most. if it has a ‘hole’ or cavity on it, it’s the tooth. if there’s nothing obvious, then it may be an infection of the gums, esp if the tooth wiggles a bit.
treatment: it depends on the source of infection, the extent, how much money you’re willing to pay, and time. the most definitive thing to do it extract the tooth. but you may not need to. if there’s enough bone surrounding the tooth (ie the tooth doesn’t move when you push on it), then doing a root canal and placing a crown, or cap, is what i’d rec’d. there are some other things to evaluate before, but saving your own teeth (if they’re savable) is always the best route. meanwhile, your dentist may take an xray, give you some antibiotics, extract the tooth, or do a filling. any combination of these things can happen.
good luck.
ttg