Is my tooth pain caused by a bad dentist or bad hygiene?

  • Context: Medical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Pengwuino
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential causes of tooth pain following dental work, specifically focusing on whether the pain is due to inadequate dental hygiene or the quality of dental care received. Participants share personal experiences and seek advice on how to address their concerns, touching on both theoretical and practical aspects of dental health.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes experiencing pain after receiving fillings and questions whether the pain is due to their hygiene or the dentist's work.
  • Another participant shares their experience with cold sensitivity and mentions that their dentist advised waiting for the nerve to settle down, which took nearly two years.
  • Some participants express concerns about the dentist's approach, suggesting that a good dentist would thoroughly investigate the cause of pain and offer multiple solutions.
  • There are mentions of the possibility that a filling could be too close to the nerve, leading to sensitivity and pain.
  • A participant recounts a similar experience where a dentist admitted fault for placing a filling in contact with the nerve.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the quality of dental care received, with some advocating for a second opinion while others share experiences of long recovery times. There is no consensus on whether the pain is primarily due to hygiene issues or the dentist's actions.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference personal experiences that highlight the variability in dental treatment outcomes and the subjective nature of pain management. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity surrounding dental procedures and individual responses to treatment.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals experiencing tooth pain after dental work, those considering dental procedures, and anyone interested in discussions about dental care practices may find this thread relevant.

Pengwuino
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I went in for a cleaning a couple of weeks ago and had to get 2 fillings :( SADFACE! Then... the worst of the worst of the worstness happened! I started feeling a lot of pain when I'd drink cold liquids where one of the fillings was put in. The last time this happened was about 3 years ago and I ended up having to get a root canal. SO, I went in today and the dentist said that if the pain doesn't go away in a couple of weeks, I'll need to get another root canal :( :( :( :(

MEGASADFACE. I know, right?

The thing I'm starting to wonder is if this is my bad hygiene (I brush daily but could do much better) or is this a bad dentist at work? If so, I want to look for a new dentist. He mentioned that he had to drill pretty deep for the filling when he actually put it in, but since he's the only dentist I've ever had, I've never known if he's a good dentist or bad dentist.

GIVE ME ADVICE FACELESS INTERNET PEOPLE.
 
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Ouch. I've done battle with a cold-sensitive tooth before. It got so bad I would wince if I had to breath through my mouth.

My dentist said the only thing he could do was a root canal. But his advice was to just wait it out, if I could stand it. He said it takes a *long* time for a nerve to settle down sometimes.

He was right! It took nearly 2 years, for crying out loud! But it did eventually calm down, and I'm glad I was patient. I was always afraid it was going to get suddenly critical at an inconvenient time, like while on a backpacking trip. I was lucky it didn't.

Oh and when you go and get your teeth cleaned, be sure to mention it to the hygienist. They can warm up the rinse water for you.
 
It really seems to me that he isn't taking his job seriously. My dentist would stop at nothing to determine the cause of the pain and offer a choice of solutions (if more than one is available). I recommend that you get a second opinion.

edit: Sorry, Lisa; I was composing when you posted.
 
I have one root canal with crown lengthening done and the tooth next to it is quite sensitive to hot and cold.
 
lisab said:
He was right! It took nearly 2 years, for crying out loud! But it did eventually calm down, and I'm glad I was patient.

2 years?! Eff that, root canal please.

Danger said:
It really seems to me that he isn't taking his job seriously. My dentist would stop at nothing to determine the cause of the pain and offer a choice of solutions (if more than one is available). I recommend that you get a second opinion.

edit: Sorry, Lisa; I was composing when you posted.

I might get a second opinion. He seems to be sure that the filling or whatever hit the nerve, though.
 
Pengwuino said:
2 years?! Eff that, root canal please.



I might get a second opinion. He seems to be sure that the filling or whatever hit the nerve, though.

I've had a filling that according to the dentist was super close to needing a root canal and that tooth was sensitive for a few months afterwards.
 
I had that happen to me once Peng. Turned out the dentist had put the filling to where it was in contact with the nerve. He apologized profusely and admitted it was his fault.

Get it checked.
 

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