Have you ever had a toothache, but didn't have enough to go to the Dentist?
By coffeegurl
@coffeegurl (1467)
United States
April 12, 2010 9:45pm CST
I bit down on a piece of soft gum the other day and instantly felt some pain and discomfort. Now, I can't really chew on that side, not even soft stuff.Credit cars is maxed out, so no such luck, bf is paycheck to paycheck. It could be 2 weeks before I have enough to go see a dentist.It's a crown that is hurting, and the crown is from 1997!Last time I went to dentist, he said the crown was fine, even though I have noticed some pain from time to time. He said it was just tooth sensitivity.
10 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
13 Apr 10
When I needed a root canal last year I didn't want to dip into my savings, which had been raped by my ex filing for a reduction in his support payments. I registered for and received "Care Credit" which financed the bill with no interest. Ask your dentist about Care Credit and if he accepts it, most of them do. You can use it for any medical expense. While I don't recommend using credit for everyday expenses, this is important. Your dental health affects your heart and other aspects of your health and it's essential that you get it taken care of!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
13 Apr 10
That's horrible! When I got it, there was no interest for 18 months. That's why I got it. Sounds like you really got a raw deal while I lucked out. I hope you can get to the dentist soon! 
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
13 Apr 10
I think that's great you were helped by them. I hate Care credit. There are so many bad things about them on the net if I had known I would have never had them run my credit. My bf needed some emergency work done and he has no credit, so I had them run mine. I qualified for $7000 and the guy running my credit promised me that the dental work would not go over 3K. When they knocked out my bf(sedation dentistry)they gave me the bill and it was very close to the limit of 7K. It seemed very fishy. They said they were saving his life. The company's customer service is outsourced to India,they offer no payment plans if you need to lower your payments they won't work with you at all and continue to increase the interest rate and include $40 late payment fees. The bill is at 8k now.We don't know to do now. I was only making a little over $7/hour when they qualified me for 7k and he wasn't working at all.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
13 Apr 10
oh i SO know what you mean! i have an absessed tooth right now which is causing me some pain but alas, no insurance and hubby is unemployed so no money to go to the dentist. i was at my doctors (we have social medicine here in canada, so the visit was 'free', just paid for the pills). this is the second time that i had meds but once it gets better, my mom will pay for it go get fixed. horrible not having moeny to go to the dentist!
1 person likes this
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
13 Apr 10
you shouldn't wait too long with an abscess. You can die from that.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
14 Apr 10
fortunately, until now it never happen to me... i know that the dentist bill is very high and ridiculous... it is just a pity that some people have to bear with the toothache because they can't afford to pay the bill... i really think the government should do something to help to minimise this problem especially for an ordinary employee who lives by paycheck... i hope you will get better soon... i suggest that you take some painkiller to ease some of your pain before you can go to the dentist... good luck... take care and have a nice day...
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
14 Apr 10
TY for your concern-I can eat on that tooth now. The pain has gotten better. Not sure why?
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
13 Apr 10
It never hurts to get the opinion of a second dentist if your aren't fully satisfied with the answer of the first one. I used to carry cloves with me to cleanse my breath after smoking or eating where I couldn't just whip out a tooth brush and I noticed also that it seemed to numb my mouth a bit. You could use that for your teeth or get a bit of clove oil and apply it. Using it too often is not good for you so be careful.
1 person likes this
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
13 Apr 10
Thank you for the tip. I do have cloves. I used some of my bf's Orajel and that seemed to help last night.
@climber7565 (2579)
• United States
13 Apr 10
aww I hope you feel better soon. I would hate that kind of pain, so I would still go to the emergency room and pay later lol
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
14 Apr 10
the pain had subsided a bit and i am now able to chew soft things onthat side. Bought some froyo and fudgcicles today...ty for your concern.
@climber7565 (2579)
• United States
14 Apr 10
AH you are welcome, hope you will feel better real soon. Take care of you. :)
@unstopabble (452)
• Philippines
13 Apr 10
here in the philippines going to dentist is affordable. but why is it in other countries going to dentist cost so much. like our aunt who is now in switzerland. she have a problm regarding her teeth. but she waited her vacation here before she have them fix.she said fixing her teeth in switzerland cost too much
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
13 Apr 10
this has happened to me several times because i can never afford to go to the dentist. my cards are all maxed out as well. oh well i hope it does not happen to me again any time soon.
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
13 Apr 10
I always had toothache when I was still young but I didnt get to go to the doctor anymore cause there are medicine available in my house for temporary relief. The only time I went to see my dentist is when I need to extract some teeth or if I need filling or if I need cleaning. Maybe you'll just have to avoid eating acidic food to prevent it from bothering you. Having a toothache is some kind of pain that I really dont want to have.
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
14 Apr 10
From your profile pic, it looks like you have a great smile! Wow, how did you survive with all that pain? We were poor growing up, but we never missed a dentist appointment. Mom made sure we went regularly.
@jiraiyasanin (642)
• Philippines
13 Apr 10
yes i experienced the same thing but you know most of the Filipino's experience that, we will just drink pain killer so ease the pain and some herbal medicine and if we can remove the moving teeth then we do it so that we will not spend so much money
