Can you go to the ER for a toothache?

24

Replies

  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member

    If they had a look at my tooth they would be able to see that half the tooth has broken off and it is swollen all around the edges...

    so why didnt you go to the dentist?!

    i say tough it out with some painkillers and get to the dentist at 9am

    It's called being a student?

    you cant take care of your health because you're a student?! WTF?!

    No, DUH!

    It's called students don't have $$$$$$$$ lying around. Duh.

    So what are you going to do when the ER tells you to go to the dentist?

    Why haven't you left for the ER yet? Or are you just going let the tooth fall out..
  • itsuki
    itsuki Posts: 520 Member
    Nope, you can't.

    Things to tie you over: try brushing with toothpaste. Toothpaste has a numbing agent in it. I was in a similar situation a few years ago and it was the only thing that helped (I too was curled up crying on the couch, turns out I had an exposed nerve from a bad filling).

    Other things you might read online are: garlic compress, crushing up an asprin, or alcohol. None of those worked for me, might work for you depending on what's actually causing the problem.


    OH, and if the pain goes away, go to the dentist anyway. The problem will just get worse.

    If you're worried about expense, when I had my problem I was given two options: root canal or have the tooth pulled. I did not have insurance. The root canal would have cost $8,000, having it pulled would be $200. I decided to have it pulled, knowing I could get an implant later. Ended up costing me $300 because I needed to be anesthetized - the nerve was so sensitive that even with 7 novocaine injections it still hurt for them to pull it.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    I will never understand why dental problems, which can kill you, are not considered medical.
    stooges-dentist-2.jpg
  • nikinyx6
    nikinyx6 Posts: 772 Member
    Last year, my tooth abcessed, and I was in so much pain I passed out.

    I went to the ER, got pain meds, and antibiotics, to hold me over until I could get in to my dentist.

    If the tooth is infected, it's a good idea to go to ER, as my dentist told me he would not have been able to help me on that day. When a tooth is infected, they can't freeze it. Hhe would have just given me antibiotics anyway, and told me to come back in a week when it was somewhat cleared up.
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    I got an abscess after getting my wisdom teeth pulled and went to the ER at 6 am. They called an oral surgeon. He said it was a life threatening abscess and he did emergency surgery on me. I was a student (yes students can take care of their health).
  • Coltsman4ever
    Coltsman4ever Posts: 602 Member
    What a bunch of idiots on this thread.
    This poor girl is in pain and just asking a question.

    You could have a bad infection in there in which case the ER would help.
    Maybe try rinsing your mouth with some warm salt water in the meantime to help with the pain. Most likely you have a nerve exposed and the air on it is causing the pain.
  • slepygrl
    slepygrl Posts: 249 Member
    I did. It cost me about 1000.00 and I was treated like a drug addict. You NEED to get that tooth pulled. I waited a little to long and the infection spread, I now have no feeling in my bottom left side of my jaw.

    Good luck!
  • _happycats_
    _happycats_ Posts: 105 Member
    I'm sorry, but you need to go see a dentist ASAP. You can try the emergency clinic and they might give you something for the pain but the issue won't go away until the tooth is fixed, and the longer you wait, the worse the damage and pain will get. Some dental offices will allow you to do a payment plan, especially if you've been a longtime patient of theirs and have a good record of showing up and paying for treatment well. Hope you're feeling better soon.
  • _Wits_
    _Wits_ Posts: 1,286 Member
    Put it on a credit card if you have to. You have to go to the dentist for things like this. If you wait, you may end up losing that tooth completely.

    I don't have a credit card...

    Talk to your dentist...chances are they can do payments with you.

    Don't wait any longer.
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  • shiseido_faerie
    shiseido_faerie Posts: 771 Member
    Sometimes they do have an emergency dentist on call...or here they do anyways.
    At the very least i'd think they'd get you started on some antibiotics and perhaps some pain meds, they also may be able to refer you to somewhere that can help. I'm not sure if someone already mentioned it but often you can also go to the University and the dental students will do it (they're under full supervision at all times by a certified dentist.) Best of luck, do get it treated right away though!!
  • SomeoneSomeplace
    SomeoneSomeplace Posts: 1,094 Member
    Wow hungry people are grumpy in the morning!

    What does it matter if she made a thread to ask a question. People ask for relationship advice on here and practically use this site exclusively as a dating site and you're all gonna attack this poor girl for asking a questions that's at least related to health. I think some of you people need chocolate and baked goods.

    Anyway OP I understand being a poor student. Is it possible for you to see someone on campus? I don't have dental either and haven't had to have an major procedures done, luckily. A lot of people don't have dental insurance but perhaps dentists have a way of making it more affordable? Like paying over a period of months, or whatever?

    I assume it's day time now so maybe you can call a dentist and figure that out? Try buying some numbing stuff for the time being. Getting the tooth pulled may be an expense but you obviously can't live like this and I'm sure you're not the first person to come through there that has financial issues so I bet they can work something out

    Tooth pain is the worst !
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Actually, most ER's won't give you anything for a toothache. The reason? Addicts who go to the ER looking for a prescription for pain meds most often complain about toothaches. Why? Because ERs are generally not equipped to handle dental emergencies.

    Another reason to end the drug war. Tooth aches are the worst.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    I would not.

    It's wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more $$ out of yer wallet compared to an emergency apt at your dentist. Or any dentist.
  • Amberonamission
    Amberonamission Posts: 836 Member
    Jeez some of you folks are meanies. So sorry you are in pain. YES the ER will help you. They can Rx pain killers and Antibiotics. You will need to get to the dentist tho. Even if the Abx make you feel better.

    My hope is that you are at the dentist right now.
  • Cindym82
    Cindym82 Posts: 1,245 Member
    If you can't afford to see a dentist how do you think you can afford the ER? If you walked into our ER with a toothache we'd all hate you.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I will never understand why dental problems, which can kill you, are not considered medical.

    Agreed! I don't understand why we can't purchase comprehensive insurance. America really sucks when it comes to being able to take responsibility for our own health.
  • Dub_D
    Dub_D Posts: 1,760 Member
    Wait until your face swells up like a watermelon then go to the ER, they should give you something for the pain then.
  • Mama_Jag
    Mama_Jag Posts: 474 Member
    Hanging around to argue the point on MFP. Not a true emergency, so the ER is inappropriate.
  • Dub_D
    Dub_D Posts: 1,760 Member
    If you can't afford to see a dentist how do you think you can afford the ER? If you walked into our ER with a toothache we'd all hate you.

    Maybe they're Canadian. Which would mean it's free.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    I'll pull it for you.....Ive got some bourbon and vice grips......Let me know if you are interested.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Hanging around to argue the point on MFP. Not a true emergency, so the ER is inappropriate.

    Yep, nothing says "I love you" like making someone in pain feel worse than they already do! :noway:
  • madworld1
    madworld1 Posts: 524
    If you can't afford to see a dentist how do you think you can afford the ER? If you walked into our ER with a toothache we'd all hate you.

    That's nice. Anyone with any medical knowledge is aware that toothaches can be a result of a severe infection which can be life threatening. Furthermore, some people don't have a choice. Hopefully judgmental individuals will never have to go through such worries. I'm not for people abusing the ER system, but sounds like she has a legitimate medical issue.
  • Tw1zzler
    Tw1zzler Posts: 583
    My ER visit for food poisoning cost me $1,800, if I'd waited a few hours and gone to my family doctor it would have cost me my $25 copay.

    Go to your dentist, get it fixed, get your teeth cleaned and start flossing.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    If you can't afford to see a dentist how do you think you can afford the ER? If you walked into our ER with a toothache we'd all hate you.

    Maybe they're Canadian. Which would mean it's free.

    :grumble: :grumble:
  • rek10
    rek10 Posts: 7 Member
    in my experience the ER will see you and likely prescribe a Antibiotic to clear the infection. though that is pointless if you don't intend on having the tooth pulled... there are places you can go that are decently priced(perhaps not your dentist, but a dentist) i know a couple years ago it was something under $100. and if your able to afford a ER visit and the Prescription.... shouldn't be to difficult to manage considering your mouth is very important to your health.


    P.S.- did not read all the replys....
  • Amberonamission
    Amberonamission Posts: 836 Member
    If you can't afford to see a dentist how do you think you can afford the ER? If you walked into our ER with a toothache we'd all hate you.
    Who give a sh** who you hate? I am assuming you are saying you are a medical professional. Aren't you supposed to really care that people are in pain?
  • NoMoreJellyRolls
    NoMoreJellyRolls Posts: 142
    Does your city/town have a dental clinic that does extraction based off income? Im also a student (I now have dental insurance...extrememly expensive) but I would go to the local dental clinic and it would cost me roughly $25 to have dental work done, income based tho.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member

    If they had a look at my tooth they would be able to see that half the tooth has broken off and it is swollen all around the edges...

    It's called being a student?
    Do you have someone you can see on campus? Not sure if you're at a University but often times they offer services at a very reduced or no cost even.

    In the meantime, though my response is likely a bit later than you needed... what about gargling, sometimes that can temporarily help the pain, warm salt water gargling, it helps clean up the area temporarily. But don't drink it, ew...

    Hope you get this figured out ASAP... I know that type of pain and it sucks, sounds though like yours is far worse than mine.
  • chelsiesapp
    chelsiesapp Posts: 1
    You can, but it would be a waste of money because all they're going to give you is something you could buy at a drug store. I would recommend putting a hot rag on the side of your jaw near the toothache, swishing with saltwater, and using some extra strength Oragel until you can get to a dentist.

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