logo
600 shadow
kall8 image
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Dr. Bolt
    • Contact Us
    • Request An Appointment
    • Financial Arrangements
    • Map to our Office
    • Affordable Dentist
    • Mercury Free Dentist
  • Offers
  • Family Dentistry
    • Family Dentist
    • Pediatric Dentist
    • Dental Tips for Parents
  • General Dentistry
    • White Fillings
    • Porcelain Crowns
    • Porcelain Bridges
    • Root Canal Treatment
    • Wisdom Teeth Extractions
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Lumineers
  • Other Services
    • Emergency Dentist
    • Dental Implants
    • Sleep Apnea
    • CPAP
    • Stop Snoring
slide
slide3
slide2
slide4
previous arrow
next arrow

Archives for May 2018

White Fillings and Children

Posted on May 29, 2018 by iowasmiles.

Why do some dentists allow children to get mercury-free fillings and others say they have to get amalgam? My sister-in-law’s dentist gives her children white fillings, but my dentist refuses and says they don’t last on children. Who’s right?

Mary Ellen

Dear Mary Ellen,

Boy smiling holding toothbrush

Can Children Get Mercury-Free Composite Fillings?

Every dentist works within their comfort level. He may not be skilled in composites and his fillings tend to fall out. Some dentists are comfortable working with children and some, while they do treat children, aren’t as comfortable. Additionally, each dentist varies in their skill level. Some do a lot of composite fillings and some don’t. There is a different technique to placing the old silver amalgam fillings to today’s composites.

With children, it gets a little trickier. With composite fillings, you have to keep the composite material completely dry while it’s being placed. While some children seem able to do that naturally, the more common bent of a child is to wiggly.

That being said, it doesn’t mean they can’t have the fillings. Like many adults, some children need sedation dentistry. That simple step allows every child to get mercury-free fillings.

Who Can Give My Child a Mercury-free Filling?

What you need is a different pediatric dentist. One who is comfortable working with composite fillings along with children. Depending on the size of your city, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one. However, if you’re in a very small town it could be more challenging.

In that case, you should know that many general dentists enjoy treating children and are fully qualified to do so. Just check to see what age they like children to start coming to their office. If they say 8 or 9 years old, that’s a sign they’re not quite comfortable with the younger set. But, if they say 2 or 3 (or even younger), then you can know they’re comfortable around children. Of course, always check reviews.

You’ll want to find a mercury-free dentist. They only place composite fillings, so the experience needed will be there.

I hope this helps you.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Raymond Bolt. Check out his dental tips for parents.

Filed Under: Mercury-free Tagged With: amalgam fillings, Auburn AL Dentist, Auburn AL Mercury free dentist, children and mercury-free dental care, composite fillings, dental tips for parents, pediatric dentist, silver fillings, White fillings

Antibiotics Instead of Emergency Dentist? Dangerous Idea

Posted on May 15, 2018 by iowasmiles.

I don’t like dentists, which is probably why I have a tooth infection to begin with. The infection got so bad I was swollen all the way up to my eye. I went to my doctor. He gave me antibiotics. At first they worked. Everything stopped hurting and the swelling went down. Now, however, the swelling has started back and the pain has returned. Do I need a different antibiotic?

Tony

Dear Tony,

A man holding his jaw in pain probably in need of an emergency dentist

It sounds to me as if your doctor either doesn’t understand dental infections or is a poor communicator. What he doesn’t seem to understand is that antibiotics do not work with tooth infections. The reason is once an infection gets to the tooth the pulp dies which means no blood flow, therefore the antibiotic can’t even reach the root cause of the infection.

In cases like yours where the infection is spreading, antibiotics are used to stave off the infection. It doesn’t stop it. Your dentist has to get in there and physically remove the infected tissue. This is called a root canal treatment. Otherwise, what will happen is you’ll start to feel better as the antibiotic helps with the infection it can reach. Then, the still infected pulp starts to spread again.

Think about how close your eyes are to your brain. If your infection reaches your brain it will become life-threatening fast. 2017 had several people die from tooth infections, including a father of three young children. It always breaks my heart to hear these stories because this day and age it is totally preventable.

Dealing with Dental Emergencies

What you have would be considered a dental emergency because of the risk of dying from a tooth infection. Plus, you’re likely in pain and dentists will want to get you out of pain as quickly as possible. I’m assuming you went to your doctor because you don’t have a dentist. That’s okay, but your doctor will not be able to remove the infection. There are emergency dentists who will see you right away, even if you’re not a patient.

Contact them and let them know what’s going on. As I said above, they’ll do a root canal treatment and provide you a prescription for pain relief. Each dentist is a little different as to what they prescribe. If your emergency dentist prescribes you a narcotic, be careful. They’re quite addictive. You don’t actually have to take them as often as the pill bottle will say. Only take them as necessary and make it a goal to get off of them as quickly as possible. I recently had a dear friend become addicted to them. It nearly destroyed his family.

Who knows, you may find the dentist you see to be so good at his or her job you find a regular dentist for yourself. Best of luck to you and please don’t put this off. Not only do you risk the infection spreading but you may be too late to save your tooth at all. Then you’re stuck with expensive tooth replacement options.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Raymond Bolt.

Filed Under: Emergency Dentist Tagged With: antibiotics for an infected tooth, Auburn dentist, Auburn Emergency Dentist, death from tooth infections, dental implants, root canal treatment, saving your teeth, tooth infections, tooth replacement options

Recent Posts

  • Why Do Kids Grind Their Teeth in Their Sleep?
  • Should the Pediatric Dentist Remove My Son’s Baby Teeth?
  • Will Toothpolish Ruin My Teeth?
  • Will a Root Canal Make My Son’s Front Tooth Whiter?
  • Did My Dentist Place Crowns I’m Allergic To?

Categories

  • Affordable Dentist
  • Auburn AL Dentist
  • Dental Bridge
  • Emergency Dentist
  • Mercury-free
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Uncategorized
  • Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • August 2011

Dental Care at Flint Crossing
Raymond Bolt, DMD
1550 Opelika Rd.
Auburn, AL 36830
Phone: (334) 466-9970
URL of Map
©2011-2022 Dr. Raymond Bolt, DMD • All Rights Reserved

= Website Design and SEO by Infinity Dental Webidw copyright logo

Menu
Phones
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Dr. Bolt
    • Contact Us
    • Request An Appointment
    • Financial Arrangements
    • Map to our Office
    • Affordable Dentist
    • Mercury Free Dentist
  • Offers
  • Family Dentistry
    • Family Dentist
    • Pediatric Dentist
    • Dental Tips for Parents
  • General Dentistry
    • White Fillings
    • Porcelain Crowns
    • Porcelain Bridges
    • Root Canal Treatment
    • Wisdom Teeth Extractions
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Lumineers
  • Other Services
    • Emergency Dentist
    • Dental Implants
    • Sleep Apnea
    • CPAP
    • Stop Snoring
  • New Patients Click to Call
    877-846-7473
  •  
  • Existing Patients Click to Call
    334-466-9970