K. asks from Seffner, FL on September 04, 2009
Tooth Sensitivity & Dentist Closed W/no Emerg Back-up!!
I am so frustrated! One my 6 yr old dghtr just told me last night at dinner that one of her 6 yr molars is having pretty high sensitivity to cold temps while eating & drinking....a week ago she had a cavity filled in this same tooth. I don't think the filling is related to the sensitivity b/c of the week timeframe btwn...so I took her to the dentist ofc (Pediatric Dental Center w/Drs. Gonzalez & Lopez) FIRST thing this morning (they open at 8:30a) to ask if they wld look at the problem tooth. When I pulled up, the office was completely closed!! AND I had spoken with the ofc's answering service Thursday evening and was told to call today----WHY wasn't the answering service advised the ofc wld be completely CLOSED today! The ofc phone msg also does not say the ofc is closed today! Isn't that just common courtesy?! So, the dentist on call (Dr. Lopez) called me back & told me the sensitivity is very common after fillings, esp. when the fillings are white (vs. silver) and that it cld last for 2-3 WEEKS..I just need to help her brush & floss! R U kidding me? And, to top it all off, they have no other dentist to refer me to! I'm ready to look for a new Dentist, but need a sanity check from all of you, please. Oh, and I also called my pediatrician to ask if I shld bring my dghtr in there, but was told (by nurse) there's not much that can be done by Ped. Should I try the "After Hrs Ped." ofc tonight? My dghtr says there's only pain/discomfort when she eats or drinks something cold....am I over reacting?
So What Happened?™
Thank you moms! I really appreciate everyone's comments, suggestions & honesty. We made it thru the long weekend and the discomfort seemed to be less & less. One thing I didn't mention in my initial post was the gum around this tooth bled quite a bit & quite easily when using a rubber tipped cleaning instrument around the tooth and this is why I was so concerned...I was sure this would lead to a root canal, but it didn't/hasn't. The other saving grace was that my husband had some prescription mouthwash for some gum problems he's having...so we're using that w/the syringe on this problem tooth and I think it's helping. Also, this is my daughter's 3rd white filling and she never had any problems or sensitivity's with the other ones, but I guess each tooth can be different. Thanks again! ;)
Featured Answers
C.G. answers from Gainesville on September 05, 2009
easy fix have her use sensitive toothpaste. Crest or Aim and has everything in it for healthy teeth and tastes good don't use sensidine not as good and more expensive.
S.S. answers from Pensacola on September 05, 2009
We have had this happen after fillings also. My dentist recommended using sensitive teeth toothpaste I forget what kind but it worked. I would still follow up with a dentist because it could be a root problem. Hope you daughter feels better!
S.
D.B. answers from Tampa on September 05, 2009
My guess is they are closed because of the holiday weekend. Yes, sensitivity after a filling is normal, I wouldn't change dentists because of that alone, unless there are other issues. Using a sensitivity toothpaste isn't likely to help, either, because the way they work is by "coating" for lack of a better description, the outside part of a tooth. It helps when you have roots exposed, but probably not in the case of a filling since it won't reach the areas that are sensitive. Maybe avoid the super cold things like ice cream for a couple of days, give things a chance to calm down. Even if you took her in, they really wouldn't be able to do anything. Good luck!
More Answers
T.A. answers from Tampa on September 05, 2009
K., i totally understand that you are trying to do your best for your daughter, and get her sinsitve tooth issue resolved. although, i do feel you are letting things get to you to much. (take a deep breath!, and relax.) a sincitive tooth is not that bad of a thing. you could maybe ask the pediatric dentist if she could maybe try a "sinsitive teeth tooth paste", (and if that would even help?) and yes, a regular pediatrician would not be able to do much for a dental issue. if the tooth is driving your daughter crazy, maybe useing an over the counter childrens pain med, like tylenol, or something, overy once in a while might help, but get the dentists ok, on that first!too! i hope i have helped some. good luck. and like your childs dentist said, the sincitivity shouldnt last long. (mom with sometimes sencitve teeth, and,of one toddler son.)
M.H. answers from Sarasota on September 04, 2009
sorry, but yes, I think you are over reacting. I understand the closed thing is frustrating, but the on call dentist DID call you. The ansering service is completely independant and not always kept in the loop. They told you to call today, not show up. You spoke to the dentist and they told you it is normal. This is not an emergency, just some sensitivity, calm down.
K.B. answers from Tampa on September 06, 2009
You may have already dealt with the situtaion, but I think that the dentist is right. Not to say you are overreacting, because you are just worried like any good mother would be. I wouldn't go looking for another dentist just yet thought. The newer fillings do sometimes cause a little sensitivity and if it is only when she is eating/drinking cold/hot things then it should resolve. If it doesn't then I would be concerned. One of our friends little girls just had the same thing and her molar was sensitive for a few weeks adn then eventually it just stopped bothering her. Good luck!
J.T. answers from Orlando on September 05, 2009
I think your dentist is probably on the right track. She will have to stay away from very cold and try to chew on the other side. If it gets worse or is not better in a week or so then take her back, If you really want a different dentist Dr.Goldstein is ped dentist on Hiawassee Rd.
I think a trip to after hours would just result in a lot of money spent fornothing. Good luck and I hope she feels better soon!
A.D. answers from Fort Myers on September 05, 2009
Yes, I think you're over reacting. If it's sensitivity and not PAIN, then wait as the dentist recommended for 3 weeks to see what happens.
The answering service not knowing they were closed is angering for sure, but forgive and don't let it ruin your 3-day weekend.
R.W. answers from Tampa on September 05, 2009
Change dentists for starters. Now that's said my bet is that the sensitivity to the hot and cold is from the filling. I have several teeth that are that way. They want to redo my fillings. I am not going to do it though because they want to crown them all at $400.00 each. But you can buy ora gel and put it on your childs tooth. Get the childs version. The stuff works great. Also if you can get your child to suck on a tea bag it will help to heal the pain. But for sure find another dentist. Your wasting your time with this one. Tooth Caboose in Plant City can probably give you a name of a good dentist in your area. I told a friend about Tooth Caboose but they didn't have any more room so they referred her to some where else.
S.R. answers from Sarasota on September 05, 2009
Sorry for your daughter's trouble and all the hassle with the dentist. I have had my share of tooth sensitivity and it's certainly not fun.
If you can get into any dentist nearby, go in and see if you can buy a tube of Fluoridex toothpaste from them (not sure if they sell this over the counter in stores - I purchase it directly from my dentist). It is the best and really helps with the tooth sensitivity - better than Sensodyne in my opinion and worth every penny!
Also, there is a product I bought when I had extreme tooth pain and it was called Orajel Advanced Tooth Desensitizer. I found it at Publix. You apply with a swab and it really helped me until I could see a dentist and diagnose the problem.
Kids Motrin might help too with the pain, if you don't mind giving you child a little bit of medicine to help her through it. Hope that helps you...
D.D. answers from Punta Gorda on September 05, 2009
Usually the cold sens would occur right after the filling not a week later. Did the filling come out? Compare it to the one on the opposite side. Buy sensodyne toothpaste and ACT fluoride rinse. Have her brush 3 x's day and swish the ACT for 1 minute and spit. Good news is cold sensativity doesn't indicate a nerve injury. Hot sens and throbbing are bad. If cold sesetivity decreases over time that is good. Deb dental hygienist
Email