Dental issues... getting to the 'root' of the problem.

[s/v Faith]

I went to see a dentist friend of mine yesterday.

  I have had semi-annual visits to the dentist most of my adult life.  When I retired, I no longer had any sort of dental coverage so I had pretty much just done the 'brush-floss-cross-your-fingers' thing.

  While cruising, I chipped a tooth in heavy seas south of Cat Island.  Thankfully, it did not cause me pain, and I never really thought much of it until yesterday (my modeling days are far behind me now)....

  So my dentist friend says I need $4000 worth of crowns.... the (not one but) TWO teeth I though I chipped were cracked.. and have been.  The damage is such that he says if I do not do something soon I will not be able to.

  Other then wax and oral 'b' what do you do to prepare for dental issues that might crop up?

 

[Tim]

Other then wax and oral 'b' what do you do to prepare for dental issues that might crop up?

Rob banks?  ::)

[s/v Faith]

Other then wax and oral 'b' what do you do to prepare for dental issues that might crop up?

Rob banks?  ::)

  That is about like CapnK's answer... the vice grips 'solution'.

I think it is good to think things through like that, but not quite sure he needed to 'practice' quite so much...

[CharlieJ]

I've used channel locks to pull  my own teeth on two occasions.

Time made it unlikely I could see a dentist and the pain was bad.

So I did what I had to do.

[Captain Smollett]

I've used channel locks to pull  my own teeth on two occasions.

Time made it unlikely I could see a dentist and the pain was bad.

So I did what I had to do.

Oh, you are a better man than I am.  I doubt I could do that...I'd have to be VERY desperate.

I had a root canal a few years ago that didn't "take" the first time.  The time between the first and the second was absolutely excruciating.  I cannot say I ever even entertained the notion of pulling the tooth (myself or at the dentist).

Shudder....

[s/v Faith]

I've used channel locks to pull  my own teeth on two occasions.

Time made it unlikely I could see a dentist and the pain was bad.

So I did what I had to do.

Oh, you are a better man than I am.  I doubt I could do that...I'd have to be VERY desperate.

I had a root canal a few years ago that didn't "take" the first time.  The time between the first and the second was absolutely excruciating.  I cannot say I ever even entertained the notion of pulling the tooth (myself or at the dentist).

Shudder....

Remember the scene in 'castaway' where Tom Hanks uses the ice skate to knock out his infected tooth?

 I am betting channel locks are a pretty good alternative.  ;D


So, CJ.....

... as I read it you are suggesting that the dental kit include lots of rum... no?  ;)

[geneWj]

I have never had to resort to C.J.'s method of dealing with a cranky tooth, but if I had to I would.  When we have cruised for any length of time; the dentist has always first been visited.
We had a problem with one of Mary's teeth when cruising in the Sea of Cortez.  Went into Mazatlan and for the (lol) price of $35 she had a new crown made and installed.
End of problem.
I carry in my medical kit two very powerful pain killers so I guess it would not be Rum and pray! LOL.
geneWj

[SV Wind Dancer]

It also helps to keep your diet lo-carb and use diluted peroxide as a mouthwash...works for me

[Captain Smollett]

Sitting in dentist office this moment...broken crown.

[s/v Faith]

Sitting in dentist office this moment...broken crown.

Oh man... sorry.

How did you break it?

  How long had you had it?

    How much was it to get it replaced?

[Captain Smollett]

Sitting in dentist office this moment...broken crown.

Oh man... sorry.

How did you break it?

  How long had you had it?

    How much was it to get it replaced?

Well, I got lucky on this one.  I've had this crown for years, and a week or so ago, I just noticed part of it had broken off.  It was only the outside, not the 'core' that is the actual crown.  So, there was no pain, just a jagged edge of the tooth (that served well to distract my tongue).

Anyway, the dentist just ground it down a bit to smooth things off and we called it good.  It coincided with my regular check-up, so the timing was good.

I thought that might be the approach he would take, but was slightly worried he would want to replace it.  That would have likely been a BIG job.

By the way, I have had crowns pop off and have to be re-glued.  That was more unpleasant than this.

Really, it took less than 5 minutes for him to examine it and smooth it out.

Sometimes you get lucky.   ;D