Make the Most of Your Mouth

Good Oral Care in a Down Economy: Ask the Dentist

Dentist Steven E. Roth, DMD, answers your additional questions about how to address oral and dental concerns in a down economy.

Question:

I have one tooth missing in the front. It is the one on the right, beside my front tooth. The dentist said I have an overbite so bad that I can't have a denture. I can't afford the implant. What can I do?

Answer:

The best solution is to go to your local dental school or hospital, or call your local dental society for a referral to a dentist or dental program that can help you.  As far as the overbite is concerned, the best way to start any dental treatment is with a comprehensive dental exam. Then the proper treatment can be discussed and performed.

Question:

What are the consequences if told you need a root canal for a tooth that has no feeling and you decide not to have it done at present time?

Answer:

You could lose the tooth and/or lose bone around the tooth, which can affect other teeth. Also, a life-threatening infection, which is rare but real, could develop!

Question:

What is a reasonable price to pay for a dental overnight mouth guard? My dentist is saying $550. That seems very expensive to me. What is my dentist's share of that price? I like my dentist very much, but I suspect that he gets a cut of that money. Am I right?

Answer:

It all depends on whether the night guard is custom made or not.  The fabrication process involves the taking of impressions, a lab fabrication fee, a delivery visit with adjustments, and most likely a follow up visit or two.  So I recommend asking the dentist to explain exactly what is involved in the process. 

Question:

I haven’t been to the dentist in a long time. The last time I remember was when I was a little girl and I’m 28 years old now. I bleed from my gums every time I brush my teeth. Is this a problem?

Answer:

My stock answer is, would you be concerned if your hair was bleeding when you brushed it?!  It is NOT normal.  It is a sign of an infection!  Get to the dentist immediately.  Most adults need a professional cleaning every 3-6 months with a rigorous home care program.  

Question:

My tooth recently broke in half. I have no insurance and I work in fast food. Is there any way I would be able to afford dental care?

Answer:

There are several options.  If you have a local dental school, a hospital-based program, or a free dental clinic in the area, they can help you.  I would suggest calling the local dental society for advice on what to do.

Question:

I brush my teeth, floss, and scrape my tongue twice a day, each morning and night. I see no tartar on my teeth. Can I go for a cleaning around 9 months?

Answer:

Yes, you can. But the preferred timing is every 3-6 months based on your dentist's recommendation.  You may think that you are removing all of your dental plaque but you cannot see below the gum line in the deep dark spaces that allow the bad bacteria to grow and proliferate. These are the bad bacteria that eat away bone and cause the premature loss of teeth.  Research has shown that the “bad bacteria” which can eat bone recolonize at about 90 days after a professional cleaning.

Question:

My dentist says I grind my teeth and recommended a bite guard. Can I use a drugstore mouth guard to protect my teeth?

Answer:

There are several different types of grinding and wear.  The most important thing is that you get a comprehensive examination and diagnosis done.  Then the proper appliance should be custom made by a dentist for the best results.  The drugstore mouth guard may not be the correct choice.

Question:

One of my front teeth has a veneer on it from about 8 yrs ago. It is stained and I would like to get the stain removed but I am currently unemployed. What is the cheapest treatment or at-home care solution?

Answer:

A stained veneer can be completely harmless.  With a professional cleaning the stain can be removed pretty easily.  Or it could be decay or a leaky veneer, which can threaten the life of the nerve or the tooth its self.  Get to your dentist or call your local dental society to get a referral for a dentist you can afford!

Question:

I am a 48-year-old woman. I have had terrible teeth all my life. Extensive dental work began when I was in second grade. Through the years I’ve had many fillings with tiny screws to hold them in place. Over the past 3 years all of the fillings have broken off and taken many of my teeth, up to the gum-line, with them. I really need to find someone who can give me a pretty smile back. Is there any dental school or other program that might be able to help with this expensive work?

Answer:

Depending on where you live there will be a dental school, a hospital-based dental program, or a public assistance clinic that can help you.  I suggest calling your local state dental society for local information.

Question:

I have all four of my wisdom teeth, but only one is causing me problems. The oral surgeon wants to remove all four of them, but the insurance company will only authorize for one. I also have to pay all of the anesthesia fees out of pocket. The surgeon won’t touch me without anesthesia. How can I get the insurance company to cover removing all four, so I don’t have to pay the anesthesia fees separately every time one of these teeth hurts?

Answer:

Have you spoken to your oral surgeon about this?  There are many instances where MEDICAL insurance will cover the anesthesia.  I would discuss this with your oral surgeon’s office.  If they cannot help you, speak directly to the insurance company.

Question:

My mom broke off an abutment tooth at the gum line in her lower jaw. Her removable bridge was attached to this tooth. Unfortunately, she is wearing a halo for a broken neck and has no movement in her neck at all. She is not able to chew. Is there a possibility of having something done in the interim, until she is out of the halo?

Answer:

If your mom is in a hospital or assisted living home there are often dentists on call who can probably help.  If she is home bound I would call the local dental society for a referral to a dentist that can make a house call.

Question:

I have two children that need braces, but I don’t think I can afford to do both at the same time. What is the normal price range for braces?

Answer:

There is a wide range in prices, and I think most orthodontists might give you a discount for two kids at once.  Depending on where you live the fees can be very different.  I would call the American Orthodontist Society or your local dental society for guidance.

Question:

My teeth are hurting so bad, it hurts everywhere in my mouth. A dentist I went to pulled two of the wrong teeth. I can’t afford to have implants placed where they were pulled, but I don’t want to lose any more teeth. What should I do?

Answer:

I would recommend calling your local dental society if you feel something was done incorrectly.  I don’t know why you feel the wrong teeth were pulled.  It could be that you have more than one or two areas of infection and that is why there is still pain.  Go back to the dentist for a thorough examination or find a new dentist if you are not comfortable with the treatment that you were getting.

Question:

I am 36 years old with seven children and no insurance. I am having a problem with a long broken wisdom tooth. What are my chances of successfully extracting it myself?

Answer:

There is no chance that you will successfully extract the tooth, but there is a strong possibility that you will seriously hurt yourself.  Call your local dental society for a referral to a public assistance oral surgeon or clinic.  Good luck!

Question:

I really need some advice on having all my teeth pulled, and dentures installed instead. My teeth are in very bad shape, and I am probably leaching toxic, heavy metals and germs from the existing teeth that are left. Also, I could use some good cost-cutting advice on these procedures, and any guidance you could give me.

Answer:

There are several options.  If you have a local dental school, a hospital-based program, or a free dental clinic in the area, they can help you.  I would suggest calling the local dental society for advice on what to do.

Question:

I have a small cut under my tongue and bumps lower behind my bottom front teeth. How did I get them and how do I get rid of them? They are uncomfortable.

Answer:

The best solution is to go to your local dentist or call your local dental society for a referral to a dentist or dental program that can help you.  As far as the symptoms are concerned, the best way to start any dental treatment is with a comprehensive dental exam. Then the proper treatment can be discussed and performed.

Question:

We are on a tight budget and our daughter is away at college. She’s complaining about her molars. What happens if it goes untreated?

Answer:

By molars I assume you may be talking about her wisdom teeth.  I would ask your dentist for a referral to an oral surgeon for an evaluation.  Some patients do not need the teeth removed.  However an examination and consultation is the first step.  If you cannot afford it, there are several options.  If you have a local dental school, a hospital-based program, or a free dental clinic in the area, they can help you.  I would also suggest calling the local dental society for advice on what to do.

Question:

I have insurance but it’s not great. How can I fix my teeth and manage to pay my bill?

Answer:

There are several options.  If you have a local dental school, a hospital-based program, or a free dental clinic in the area, they can help you.  I would suggest calling the local dental society for advice on what to do.  Remember that most private practice dentists offer some type of financing as well.  Ask your local dentist what the best option is for you.

Question:

Next to my front teeth, I had a crown on my tooth that has come out. The post is still there. I can't afford to go to the dentist. What can I use to glue it back?

Answer:

Gluing it back on your own is filled with bad possibilities such as incorrect placement, toxic home cements, and swallowing the crown.  There are several options.  If you have a local dental school, a hospital-based program, or a free dental clinic in the area, they can help you.  I would suggest calling the local dental society for advice on what to do.

Question:

My daughter’s permanent eye teeth are coming in, over the top of her baby teeth. What can we do to loosen the baby teeth so that they will come out and she won’t look like a vampire?

Answer:

If they are loose, you can wiggle them until they come out. But the best answer is to take her to your dentist for an evaluation.  If the adult eye teeth are not erupting properly the dentist may recommend treatment that could help to avoid problems later in life.

Question:

After tooth extraction, do you have to replace with an implant?

Answer:

Teeth need to be replaced for several reasons.  To prevent surrounding teeth from tipping, to prevent opposing teeth from extruding, for protecting the integrity of your occlusion or bite.  It also helps to keep the missing tooth as a one-tooth-problem.   If you feel that you do not want an implant, there are other options such as bridges and removable dentures.  There is also the aesthetic reason, if the missing tooth is visible. And you also want to preserve the chewing efficiency of your mouth.

Question:

I have no medical insurance and need affordable dental care. Do you have any suggestions to get decent care at an affordable price, or on a sliding scale?

Answer:

There are several options.  If you have a local dental school, a hospital-based program, or a free dental clinic in the area, they can help you.  I would suggest calling the local dental society for advice on what to do.

Question:

My front tooth appears to be rotten and has begun to chip and break apart. Half of the tooth is now missing. Will the dentist be able to repair it?

Answer:

A tooth that appears to be rotten can be completely harmless. OR it could be decay or a leaky veneer, which can threaten the life of the nerve or the tooth.  Get to your dentist or call your local dental society to get a referral for a dentist you can afford!

Question:

Is having dental work done at a dental college a good alternative if you don’t have good dental coverage? If they mess something up, will they fix it or am I out of luck?

Answer:

It is a great alternative. Each step is checked carefully by a licensed dentist instructor. They always back up their work.

Question:

I have an old filling that seems to be wearing out. It hurts sometimes when I eat. Is there anything I can do at home to delay refilling or putting a crown on this tooth?

Answer:

Delay will only allow more damage to occur. If you are experiencing pain there may already be a problem with a nerve or you may be getting close to losing the tooth. You may just make things worse by waiting.

Thank you for joining us for WebMD Ask the Dentist. Be sure to check in on June 10th at 1 p.m. ET when we’ll cover over-the-counter whitening products, whitening tooth sensitivity, and other cosmetic fixes, as well as the role your genetics play in tooth color and shape. Sign up if you'd like an email reminder the day before our premiere event.