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Archives for May 2018

White Fillings and Children

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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.

Antibiotics Instead of Emergency Dentist? Dangerous Idea

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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.