Word of encouragement?!!?!
Question:
Word of encouragement?!!?
I am seeing the dentist at 11. I had pain in my tooth in which appears a black mark. What is that? Is it an abscess? or a cavity? Is it treated by root canal or fill in? I never had a root canal. I have taken many pain killers. The pain in the tooth somewhat lessened, but my cheek became swollen, aches, and kinda stiff. Are all dental processes painful? Please give me some head-ups and courage before going to dentist.
Answers:
Going to the dentist is not like it was in the OLD days when our parents and our grandparents went....provided they had the opportunity.
A black mark on your tooth could mean different things. It could be a cavity or decay. If this is on just one part of the tooth, the dentist may be able to save your tooth. You mentioned that you had some swelling and pain, that would be from the possible decay or depth of the cavity or even gum damage.
Root canals are not as bad as the reputation it gets. If you have to have one, the up side is that your tooth is saved and you do not have to have an extraction.
Root canals are done in a two part appointment. The first appointment is to prep the tooth as well as to remove the nerve or root. You will be under heavy novacaine and in some cases where available, the dentist may give you Nitros Oxide or laughing gas as it is commonly known as.
The dentist will pack the tooth and prescribe some pain relief, just in case you need it......85% of people that have root canals do not require painkillers but it is given as a precaution.
The subsequent appointment is to finish the root canal by inserting a permanent post and to fill the tooth. The dentist will suggest that you come back at a later date to put a crown on the tooth. This is a cap that will hold everything in but as long as you take care of your teeth, the cap is not necessary right away. As with the root canal, crowns are quiet pricey.
You will be fine and remember the laws of attraction.....think positive thoughts, believe them and positive things will happen to you.
Good luck.