Bryanna, the great depression really hurt my grandparents as they lost everything. My Grandfather owned 100 acres of land in 1932 and he lost it all. My Dad told me lots of stories about how hard times were then. I think him and his brothers growing up in such hard times made them all tough.

My Dad's brother died in 1990. His estate was worth about 10 million. Pretty good for an old country boy. My Dad never made that much money but he did do really good for himself. Again this has nothing to do with the original post but I thought you might like to know and why many my age have bad teeth. Good hygiene was just not taught to a lot of us like it is today.

I am sure if both my parents were alive today they would not like what they see here in the US. I just hope my grandchildren do not have to go through what my parents and grandparents did. It could happen again as history does repeat:mad:

I did find the links on the Doctor Mercola. Very interesting indeed. I saved some in my favorites and will continue to read. THANKS. Tom

Tom,

I have many dental patients who are over 65, even some into their nineties! So yea, I've heard similar stories about the lack of dental care. My parents were born in 1925/27 and they were part of that same generation of thinking. Believe it or many people still do not have regular dental care.... for one thing it's expensive and for another they are very fearful from either bad experiences or from stories their parents have told them!

Thanks again for sharing these stories with us. Sounds like you may have gotten your optimistic spirit from your dad :)

Glad you found the Mercola sites. They are very informative and hopefully will help you along your dental journey :)

Keep us posted on how you're doing!
Bryanna

How can I make my argument that this tooth needs coming out for good? I just about know most dentists will want to save it. I have had problems with this tooth for over 45 years and my thinking is to remove it, clean all the infection and let it be. I could care less if I have a tooth missing. I just want to be well.

Today I had a dizzy spell. It lasted for several hours. Not sure it is related to all this but until last Tuesday I never remember being dizzy before. I did check my blood pressure and it was a little low (95/60) Otherwise I have felt much better since they did drain it.

I have been on blood pressure meds off and on for the last 15 years. This past summer it shot up way high and my doctor put me on three different pills and it finally went down. I think now it is a little to low. I really had a hard time getting it under control so I guess for now I will just keep taking the meds.

My B/P meds now include Lisnopril 20 mg, Norvasc 10 mg and they later put me on Hydrochlorot (12.5 mg) for leg swelling. I have three more Levaquin's to take and then Tuesday I will call the Dentist to see what's next. I am dreading this but I got to do what I have to do.

I try and stay healthy as my wife and I walk two miles everyday and we eat good. I am not overweight as I weigh close to the same as when I finished HS in 1965 (170) 5ft 10. Maybe a little in the middle but I think that goes with age.


Mu gum is not as swollen as it was on Tuesday but not healed up yet. I am still using the salt five times a day. Most of the white stuff on my lip and gum has gone but the gum is red above that infected tooth. I am not sure if I did the right thing by letting her drain this Fistula or not? It was only a small area but after she drained it not small anymore. My wife said it looks much better and to quit looking at it:). I will let you know what they tell me. Thanks again. Tom

Hi Tom,

I'm going to post your question and answer it in caps... so don't think I'm yelling because they are in caps.. :)

<<How can I make my argument that this tooth needs coming out for good? I just about know most dentists will want to save it.>>
THE WORD "SAVE" IN DENTISTRY WHEN PERTAINING TO A ROOT CANALED TOOTH ONLY MEANS TO "RETAIN"... IT DOES NOT MEAN "CURE".

<< I have had problems with this tooth for over 45 years and my thinking is to remove it, clean all the infection and let it be. I could care less if I have a tooth missing. I just want to be well. >>
NO DENTIST IN HIS RIGHT MIND WOULD BE ABLE TO REASONABLY ARGUE WITH YOU ABOUT GETTING RID OF THIS 45 YEAR OLD INFECTION. THEY WOULD SAY... YUP YOU HELD ONTO THAT ONE FOR A LONG TIME. ALSO, IF YOU APPROACH YOUR DENTIST WITH THE ATTITUDE THAT YOU FEEL THIS TOOTH MAY BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO NOT FEELING WELL AND YOU WOULD JUST AS SOON BE RID OF IT.... HE WILL LOOK AT YOUR SITUATION FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AS YOU ARE NOW THE ONE WHO IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH..... NOT HIM.

<<Today I had a dizzy spell. It lasted for several hours. Not sure it is related to all this but until last Tuesday I never remember being dizzy before. I did check my blood pressure and it was a little low (95/60) Otherwise I have felt much better since they did drain it.>>
THIS TOOTH IS STILL INFECTED AND SO IS THE BONE ABOVE IT. THE ANTIBIOTIC AND SURGICAL DRAINING OF THE FISTULA WERE TEMPORARY MEASURES TO SUBSIDE THE ACUTE INFLAMMATION. NEITHER OF THOSE THINGS CAN OR WILL CURE THE INFECTIOUS BACTERIA RESIDING INSIDE OF THE TOOTH WHICH KEEPS PROLIFERATING INTO THE JAWBONE. IT MAY LOOK LIKE IT'S GETTING BETTER ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT UNDERNEATH THE GUM IT DOES NOT LOOK THAT WAY AT ALL. BELIEVE ME, I HAVE SEEN YOUR SITUATION AND ASSISTED WITH THESE EXTRACTIONS THOUSANDS OF TIMES IN 30+ YRS..... THERE IS NOTHING HEALTHY ABOUT THIS TOOTH.

REGARDING YOUR BP.... LOW BP CAN MAKE YOU DIZZY... SO CAN A LOT OF OTHER THINGS. BUT 95/60 IS CONSIDERED LOW FOR SOMEONE WHO IS ON BP MEDS. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT ALTERING YOUR MEDS ASAP. ALSO TELL HIM YOU HAVE AN INFECTED TOOTH.... I'M SURE HE WILL TELL YOU TO GET IT OUT! :)

<<I have been on blood pressure meds off and on for the last 15 years. This past summer it shot up way high and my doctor put me on three different pills and it finally went down. I think now it is a little to low. I really had a hard time getting it under control so I guess for now I will just keep taking the meds..>
NO, I WOULD NOT DECIDE THAT ON MY OWN IF I WERE YOU. YOU PROBABLY DO NOT NEED ALL 3 MEDICATIONS ANYMORE. I HAVE MANY PATIENTS WHO HAVE THEIR BP MEDS REDUCED OR ELIMINATED ONCE THEIR BP STABILIZES.

ALSO, LONG TERM CHRONIC INFECTION AND INFLAMMATION ANY PLACE IN THE BODY ... (WHICH IS WHAT YOU HAVE IN RELATION TO ALL OF YOUR ROOT CANALED TEETH).... WILL ELEVATE YOUR BP.

<<My B/P meds now include Lisnopril 20 mg, Norvasc 10 mg and they later put me on Hydrochlorot (12.5 mg) for leg swelling.>>
ANYTIME THE BP DROPS SUDDENLY YOU CAN BECOME LIGHTEDHEADED OR DIZZY. WHEN THIS CONDITION STAYS FOR MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS OR MINUTES IT IS USUALLY CAUSED BY AN ILLNESS OR MEDICATION. HYDROCHLOROT IS KNOW TO CAUSE POSTURAL HYPOTENSION.... LOW BP RESULTING IN LIGHTHEADEDNESS.

I ALWAYS SUGGEST TO MY PATIENTS WHO ARE ON BP AND/OR CHOLESTEROL MEDS TO SEEK A CONSULTATION FROM A NUTRITIONIST BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE CAN ELIMINATE THESE MEDS IF THEY LEARN TO EAT CERTAIN FOODS DAILY. THE REALITY IS.... OUR DIET MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN OUR OVERALL HEALTH WHEREAS MEDICATIONS FORCE AN UNNATURAL CHANGE TO OCCUR WHICH CONTINUALLY UPSETS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM. IT IS GREAT THAT YOU GET OUT AND WALK EVERYDAY!!! BUT OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT ENOUGH AS YOU ARE ON 3 BP MEDS.... SEE WHAT I'M SAYING??

<<I have three more Levaquin's to take and then Tuesday I will call the Dentist to see what's next. I am dreading this but I got to do what I have to do.>>
REMOVING A 45 YEAR OLD INFECTION IS NOTHING TO DREAD. I WOULD WORRY MORE ABOUT KEEPING IT THAN GETTING RID OF IT :>

That's all the caps for now.... hope this information is helpful to you. Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Please call your physician this week about the dizzies :)

Bryanna

Bryanna, I just talked to my Dentist and they got me an appointment at 8 am in the morning by an Oral surgeon to remove the tooth. I called them this afternoon and they give me two prices, one was $145 where they just give me shots and gas. The other is where I am put to sleep. It cost $540. I am not sure which one to do. Have you got any suggestions? My local Dentist emailed them the X-ray they took last Tuesday so that will save me $75. This is the same Oral surgeon I used five years ago when I was referred by my Dentist for him to look at this problem area. I just want to end this problem. THANKS again for all your help. It is not hurting now but I know it will return. Tom

Hi Tom,

If you wrote down the correct tooth, #6, that is your upper right canine. The canine teeth can be a bit of a bugger to get out because they generally have a long root and are anchored in the bone pretty well. In your case due to the extensive infection and the apicoectomy surgery, this tooth may not be that anchored but it may come out in pieces. Also, the oral surgeon will need to thoroughly debride the infection from the bone. SO.... with all of that said, if you think that feeling the physical pressure during the surgery will cause you to become anxious, then it may behoove you to have a little twilight sedation whereas you would be "sleeping" during the procedure. The local anesthetic and nitrous oxide can be effective also, but it all depends on your tolerance to dental anxiety while in the chair.

I know the money is a big difference but it's important that you feel comfortable during the procedure. If you choose the IV sedation, then you must fast for 6 hours prior to the procedure. Also, it is best to ask the office if you can take your meds before you go in rather than assume you can or can't.

Ok.... let me know how things go. Fingers and toes crossed :)

Bryanna




QUOTE=threeputt;967196]Bryanna, I just talked to my Dentist and they got me an appointment at 8 am in the morning by an Oral surgeon to remove the tooth. I called them this afternoon and they give me two prices, one was $145 where they just give me shots and gas. The other is where I am put to sleep. It cost $540. I am not sure which one to do. Have you got any suggestions? My local Dentist emailed them the X-ray they took last Tuesday so that will save me $75. This is the same Oral surgeon I used five years ago when I was referred by my Dentist for him to look at this problem area. I just want to end this problem. THANKS again for all your help. It is not hurting now but I know it will return. Tom[/QUOTE]

I will wake up in the morning and decide. I can take the pain if I have to and I have been through worse things than this. I will let you know. I really appreciate your help on this. I will update tomorrow night. Tom

Okay Tom.
We'll catch up tomorrow.
You will be fine..... :)
Bryanna

I made the one hour drive to the oral surgeon this morning. I got into his office and they suggested being the tooth looks so good and strong I have
Apicoectomy. My Dentist had also not emailed the X-ray like they promised. I cannot believe people plain do not care or maybe just the ones I use. Anyway I asked him what the success rate was on the Apicoectomy and he of course said about 50/50. I had already read that on this site thank goodness. He said if it did not work he would pull the tooth for free. For some reason they wanted to save this tooth. I told them it did not work in 1968 and to give me the shot and jerk it out. He said no problem. It was a piece of cake and only $140 out of my pocket. Now when he got through cleaning the infection and looking good at the where the tooth was inside my mouth he said Tom, you made the right choice. He said the Apico would not have worked . There was still lots of infection under that tooth. Right now I have a little pain but they give me something for that. I am also on Keflex. I hope there is a end to all these antibiotic's. I am taking it easy today. Bryanna, if it had not been for you they would have talked me into the Apico thing. I can tell you also this dental office was not very informative to me, I guess that would be the word. They did not tell me anything after they pulled the tooth. I asked about eating and the Doc said it would be OK in about an hour. I got no paper as what to do. I came home and read and found out I should eat food that is not hard to chew like ice cream. I asked them when I was leaving should I use salt and they said not until tomorrow and how often? Any advice on what I need to do about cleaning this area and brushing my teeth again? Should I use the salt and water tomorrow. I cannot believe they did not ever bother to tell me anything. I am telling you that girl that worked at his front desk should be fired. She was not a very nice person. The Doc was great but not his staff. Again I want to thank you for your expert advice Bryanna. I owe you greatly. Tom

Tom,

I just answered this post in part ... but I have no idea where?

Yea, some dental staff are not that educated in dentistry. Sorry :/

You should eat a nutritious soft food diet like eggs, apple sauce, smoothies, soft veggies, soups, no seeds or rice or anything that requires a lot of chewing, and don't eat on that side. Continue this for about 7-10 days or until the site closes over.

Brush and floss all of your teeth as usual. You do not have to use any toothpaste, perhaps just a TINY bit of baking soda on a soft wet toothbrush.

Starting tomorrow, rinse with warm salt water gently 3-4 times a day. Continue rinsing for about 2 weeks. DO NOT use anything else to rinse with.. no mouthwash like Listerine as these products disrupt the healing process.

You are on your way!!!

Bryanna