Mitchell Said:

little girl has a black tooth- but dentist says to leave it?

We Answered:

Definitely take her back in and have the tooth checked, particularly if it is causing her pain. Call and make an emergency appointment, and get her in right away. There are two possibilities about the onset of the problem:

1. If the blackness is a spot on the tooth, rather than a gray hue that covers the tooth, you are right. The dentist missed a cavity. This is highly unusual and reflects poorly on the practice, and you should definitely inquire after the overlook when you bring her in. She will need the tooth filled - it is not okay to leave a cavity. Explain to her what has happened, and remind her how to brush properly (lots of time, young children only brush the faces of the teeth and not the backs or the tops, because the positioning of the arm to do so irritates them or sends a gag reflex because they are going too far back in their little mouths). You should observe her brushing, and maybe step in for a few months. If she doesn't want you to help, try coaxing her by reminding her that she had a problem, and telling her you want to help because you love her and don't want her to have another problem with her teeth. Also - is she flossing? This I am sure you will have to help her with, as very few six-year-old children understand how to do this themselves. Make sure you go in between every tooth, and hold the string taut as you pull in and out of the gum line by the roots of her teeth. She may squirm or be uncomfortable - kids really don't like flossing - but it's necessary to keep her from developing cavities between her teeth from trapped food and plaque. Her gums may bleed a little if she's not used to flossing, but don't be too concerned - the bleeding is from tenderness due to plaque build-up and slight gum disease, and almost everyone who doesn't floss regularly has it. It will fade with time. Reassure her that its helping her keep her teeth pretty and white.

2. If the entire tooth is gray, the problem is an infected tooth. It's unusual in small children, but it can happen, usually from trauma. sometimes, kids will hit their mouths on something and not even realize it. The tooth may not hurt for days, and then suddenly grow painful and discolored. If this is the case, the tooth has died. It will need to have a root canal, or otherwise be extracted. Don't worry - they can cap the tooth if they perform a RCT, and it's not a permanent tooth, so either way she has another to replace it in a few years time. These treatments, however, will be more extensive. While Novocaine can be used for a filling, they may give laughing gas to help her calm down for a root canal or extraction. Children have little pain with these procedures, unlike adults, and she'll rebound quickly. Only x-rays and a dentist's oral exam will be able to determine a course of action. if the tooth is infected, she may need a course of antibiotics as well. Make sure you follow the same brushing/flossing guidelines with her in this scenario as the cavity one.

Call the NHS dentist as soon as you can to schedule her in - don't wait on it. Before you call, have her lay back on a bed or couch and open her mouth. Shine a bright light, from a table lamp or flashlight, into her mouth and examine the tooth yourself. Can you see the indentation and discoloration of a cavity? Is the tooth visibly cracked? Or do you see that the entire tooth has blackened? Take your index finger and push gently on the tooth, first from the bottom upward, and then from the side facing you inward, and lastly from the inside out. Be gentle, because she has already told you it hurts, but ask her how and where it hurts the most. This description will help you explain on the phone to the dentist what is going on.

You should brush for her tonight, and try and coax her to let you (gently) go over the bad tooth. Have her lay down again (you can do this at the same time as your "Mum-exam." Take her toothbrush and very gently go over the bad tooth. If the issue is a cavity (a spot of black or brown), try and clean it out gently with the toothbrush. This may relieve some of the pain for your daughter. Brush all of her teeth (though have her sit up for this and spit, etc.). Then have her lie back down again. Take a piece of floss, and gently floss for her, especially around the bad tooth. Go carefully and slowly, but be thorough.

Give her some OTC painkillers for children for tonight. Don't scare her, but explain that she has to go back to the dentist's tomorrow.

Good luck!

Rhonda Said:

Should I go to a real dentist, or just to Children's Hospital?

We Answered:

Go to the children's hospital.

Dale Said:

terrified of dentist?

We Answered:

just do it. it's that simple.

Randall Said:

Wisdom tooth extraction pain?

We Answered:

I lived in pain and fear with mine for years also.Infections,the whole bit.You can be put under if you want or get twilight sleep(which is where you get meds in your iv and you don't care what they do to you and you feel no pain and don't remember anything).Also you can just have it done with a shot of local which i did for my top 2 wisdom teeth.Also ask your dentist or oral surgeon for something to calm you before you have it done.They can give you valium or xanax and it really helps.I'll tell you it wasn't anything like i thought it would be.I expected the worst and it was easy and not very painful after.You get pain meds to take after and if you can't swallow pills they make pain meds in a liquid form.You'll be surprised how easy it is and how much less pain you'll be in after compared to all those painful attacks for the last 2 years.Good luck

Floyd Said:

Healthcare..is there another option that most don't think of?

We Answered:

Your "theory" works, except you are placing a bet. A bet you won't have something really bad happen. It only takes a second.

I was pouring very hot cooking oil into a new container and ended up sloshing some of it onto my hand. I had second degree burns (not third degree). I spent 7 days in a burn unit, had a skin graft, and therapy for a year afterward.

It was only one hand and it cost over $30,000 when all was done. That would blow your savings.