Tooth question

[Aftereights91]

I have a dead tooth that keeps falling out in bits and pieces. It doesn't hurt at all or bother me it's totally dead no feeling in the middle of it or anything and half is missing there's no way of filling it etc. Problem is I'm terrified of the dentist. If I just leave it is it going to cause problems? Or am I going to have to go and get it pulled?

If it's broken it could get infected, I had a broken one at the back that led to an abscess because I left it which was pretty horrific. Better to get it pulled! After all that mine only took about 5 minutes to remove.

Ah damn it, was hoping because it's dead dead it wouldn't get infected :( it's falling out in bits and pieces but the entire back half of it is gone now

It's an infection risk, I'd get it taken out, it won't be painful and should be quick

That's what I was afraid of :( I'm terrified of the dentist, I guess I'm just going to have to woman up and go and try and not wet myself. Wish they could just knock me out to do it, I'd have no problem going then

They could refer you to have it done under sedation but you but will be waiting a long time, you best off trying to have it done in surgery first, you may surprise yourself

I know it's silly for a grown adult to be scared of the dentist but I can't help it, even just this conversation brings me out in a cold sweat

How much worse, honestly, is it compared to having them cleaned at the dentist? Because I managed that once, just about when they clean the plaque with the little vibratey drill thing

The problem is, the tooth isn't just what you can see, the whole tooth (so the root under the gum) needs to come out too.

What is it exactly that causes your anxiety, do you know?

Speak to friends and family for local recommendations, then give them a call and be honest with them. They will be very used to dealing with nervous patients and as a first visit, no one is going to do anything other than look in your mouth before then recommending treatment to be done at a later date. You could use this initial visit as an opportunity to see how you feel about thrm, discuss your anxiety etc. Do you have someone who could go with you?

My husband had to have his dead tooth pulled at the dentist.

They injected his gum with anaesthetic and got it out. Didn’t take long and he had an excuse to eat lots of ice cream afterwards ;)

He hates the dentist too, but it was quick and painless he says x

I have a similar situation to what you describe op

It's been that way for months now and other than a few days where it was sore it has been fine

I do have problems with my jaw and other teeth on that side so I can't even say the soreness was from the broken tooth

I'm not rushing to the dentist until it does start causing problems

It is getting more difficult to get a referral for sedation but it is still possible if you are so nervous you can’t guarantee you would lie there for the whole procedure. An alternative might be to get a mild sedative such as diazepam from your GP to take beforehand. Depending on where the tooth is you might need a dentist who specialises in oral surgery so do ask at the practice if they have someone there.

See I was just going to wait and if it got sore then make myself go, but if it's at risk of infection then I'd rather get it seen to sooner as God forbid if an infection turned into sepsis or something.
I've no idea what makes me nervous, I've never been a fan of teeth, wobbly teeth as a kid used to freak me out etc and I think it's just got worse from there

There are so many people out there (me included!) whose childhood experiences have had an impact on their dental treatment as adults, so you are far from alone.
You could firefight infections and keep it, but that’s not sustainable in the long term. If it’s an upper back tooth, for example, it can have repercussions for your sinuses on that side etc. The more that breaks off it, the more complicated the removal, so get sorting it now! Dentists in my adulthood have been, without exception, absolutely fantastic. Very understanding, not judgemental and giving the choice and reassurance that is so important to those with a dental phobia. It’s your choice to make a decision for the good of your health, remember that. If the dentist you see doesn’t seem sympathetic or understanding then there are plenty more out there. Might have to be a private one, but many offer monthly plans with check ups/hygienist etc included and a discount on treatments that bring the price not far from NHS charges. Well worth the extra money to have someone you like and trust working on your teeth imo!

@Aftereights91 - I'm terrified too! Had to have a back tooth removed a few months ago. Was a quivering wreck as I walked in...biggest pain was the anaesthetic injections.

The actual pulling was less painful than a scale and polish and took about 3 minutes in total. No pain.

Honest, go and do it, before the infection takes hold.
My infection was so painful I was taking double di-hydra codeine daily!

Right I've made an agreement with myself. The last big bit is loose so will probably come out in the next few days. As soon as it's out I'll make an appointment. That bits not going to make much difference to the dentist getting bits out because most of it is gone anyway, but if I give myself a deadline like that I'll probably be able to make myself go. Can't guarantee I'll stay in the appointment like but I can try

Can you make the appointment sooner in case there's a wait?

Oh yeh that's a good point I could do that, make one in the morning for in a couple of days, it should definitely be out by then it's got more wobbly in the past hour, even though I'm trying not to touch it because it's freaking me out

Where are you OP? (County). I could recommend a lovely chap who I see (not an ad before anyone asks!). I called the practice and asked for their nicest, most patient and sympathetic dentist (I am quite sure they all are!) and he was recommended to me. I trust him implicitly and feel much less stressed going to the dentist now.

@Carlyrichards I'm in east Yorkshire

It's much easier than a deep clean. I cry every time they do a scale and polish but was ok having a tooth out. You don't feel anything after the injection. A slight sense of pressure if anything, as though you are pressing your tongue against it. I recommend wearing earphones and listening to music so that you don't hear anything either. My upper wisdom tooth was out inside of 5 songs.

Ah ok, I am in the South East. I would get some recommendations and do some ringing round and ask for someone who has lots of experience in dealing with patients who aren't terribly fond of the dentist. Good luck

I am pleased you are going to go OP, first of all you will find that even injections for dental treatment are much less stressful these days, I had to have a back tooth out earlier in the year and can honestly say it didn't hurt at all, and I am really nervous at the dentist. Second of all it has been shown that the bacteria from rotten teeth can get into your bloodstream and cause heart problems, so it is important to get his sorted for your general health not just your dental health.

I hate hate hate getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist. Extractions are way easier and pain free in my experience. I'd really opt for that any time, if it didn't mean losing a tooth...