Ask My Dentist

I have created this forum for those in need of an online dentist, whether they don't have access to their own dentist or simply just can't afford the cost right now I hope to help. Dr. Sam Weisz d.d.s

Anonymous asked: Hi Dr. Sam! First of all I would like to thank you for the video you posted on youtube about temp. filling. My filling came off about 6mo ago on the left back side, & now it hurts. I have tried salt water, but that only works for a few min. I will also try your temp filling that you recommended. What are some over the counter pain med that you would recommend in the mean time till I can get a Dentist to look at it Mon?

Sorry for the delay. I like ibuprofen because it has an anti inflammatory  component as well.  

Anonymous asked: I felt a sensitivity to cold drink and food closer to the gum; even flossing gave an electric pain behind the tooth. Dentist took an x-ray found a small cavity on the back and filled it. Same pain still persists. Dentist took another x-ray that showed a healthy pulp. He concluded that because the tooth is a bit twisted and the pulp is thicker than usual that the filling is close to it and causing the pain. He proposed a root canal even thought the pulp is healthy. Would a crown help?

A crown would not usually help for nerve pain.  If the pain is to cold drinks one of two things can happen to the nerve it can slowly recover and become healthy again or slowly take a turn for the worse and the nerve can die leaving pain and possible abcess.  It is hard to say which way your tooth will go?

Anonymous asked: I have a little cavity on my tooth an i cant affford to go to the dentist what should i do

try to see if you can get in to a dentist to at least give you consulation and see how long you can wait to have it fixed. 

Anonymous asked: my son is autistic and when I brush his teeth he does not know how to spit out the rinse or rinse the mouth

I would use very small amounts of toothpaste.  The action of brushing is the most important part of getting the bacteria and sugars off the teeth.  If he swallows water and very small amount of toothpaste depending on the toothpaste  it should not present a problem.

My gum line has always seemed to be lower on my teeth than most people, making my teeth look small. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to help raise the gum line?

Yes this can be normal.  It means your bone and gums grew more than most people, a term called a high lip line.  There is a procedure to raise the level of the gums called a gingivectomy that will expose more of the tooth and make it look longer while also improving the level of where the gums show during smiling.

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Anonymous asked: Hi! Due to a severe bout of depression several years ago, several of my bottom teeth ended up with tartar build up that seems to have calcified. One of the teeth became all but encased, and today, that 'casing' completely cracked open and lifted off the tooth. The gum has been pushed away from the tooth somewhat. There is no bleeding, but I am at a loss. Will the gum 'heal' at all? Is there anything I should do to take care of it until I can afford a dentist?

I would try a waterpik until you can afford the dentist.  Sounds like a severe type of gum disease.

Anonymous asked: how prevent pain from hot and cold food ?

I would try sensodyne toothpaste if it is normal pain to hot and cold that feels the same on all your teeth.  If there is one tooth only that feels the pain than you may have a deep cavity.

Anonymous asked: hi dentist i would like to ask you that my end tooth is in really bad pain , i have a toothache for a week nearly how could i get it better could u reply back ASAP

Is there a hole or is it a wisdom tooth?  does it have a filling or crown on it?

Anonymous asked: i just watched your youtube presentation on how to do some home remedies when suffering from toothache. First of all I am Lory , living in Rome Italy , originally from Philippines. I have been suffering from this pain of my premolar tooth. My Dentist told me that my tooth is already rotten and to save it I have to undergo Root Canal. I am living independently. Since I don't have enough money yet, what will I do to atleast help myself to lessen the pain ?

A root canal or an extraction are the two ways to remove the nerve and fix the pain.  The youtube presentation may work for a day or two to get you to the dentist to have treatment but is not a long term option.  Good luck.