Another advantage to living in a metropolitan area.

[MineralMan]

My wife was awakened by a very nasty toothache early yesterday morning. My amateur examination was useless, but she definitely was is considerable pain. She took an Advil and a Tylenol, a combination previously recommended by her normal dentist, which helped.

However, she really wanted a professional dentist to check it out. And there's the advantage of living in a metropolitan area. Googling Emergency Dental Care brought up several dental clinics that offer such care. It took just two calls to find one who could see her right away. So, we drove about 20 minutes to a nearby suburb, went into the clinic, and she was seen within 15 minutes.

An X-ray and an examination showed that it was not an issue with the tooth, but inflammation of the gum area. So, the dentist gave her a prescription for an antibiotic and a recommendation for that Advil/Tylenol combination. The cost of this was about 25% higher than a normal trip to her regular dentist would have been. This morning, she's doing much better. Just knowing that she won't need a root canal or any other such thing helped, too.

Despite the problems of metropolitan living, there are some advantages, and being able to be seen by a dentist the same day is one of them.

Edit to add: Yesterday was Sunday. That adds to the difficulty of seeing a dentist immediately.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

1. I live in a suburb

And I saw a dentist the day my tooth started hurting and forming a abscess,it was a three pronged tooth which apparently is a rare type of tooth.the prongs were twisted like a spiral. It had to be pulled out or eventually it would cause abscess over and over.

[handmade34]

2. glad your wife doesn't need a root canal...

I understand the advantagesdisadvantages of rural versus city... but I live in a very rural area (approx. 2000 people/ 61 square miles) and have seen a dentist on same day (15 minutes away)

[MineralMan]

3. On a Sunday?

I didn't include that, because yesterday was Sunday, so I didn't think it was necessary.

[Talitha]

4. Small town life also has its advantages.

Five years ago I had a dental emergency.

On a Sunday.

While the Packer game was on.

I called my Dentist (huge Packer fan).

30 minutes later I was in the chair in his office.

Can't get much better than that, IMO.

[smirkymonkey]

5. Ugh! I hope your wife feels better. I know how painful that is.

It's excruciating. I am glad you were able to find care so quickly. I am also very grateful to live in a city with top-notch medical care. It makes such a difference when you really need it.

[Niagara]

6. I'm glad that your wife doesn't need dental surgery

Along with her prescribed antibiotic and OTC pain reliever, I would also recommend a warm salt water rinse.

Mix one teaspoon of salt with one half cup of warm (not hot or boiling) water. Swish this mixture around in the mouth and spit it out, especially after eating. Salt contains an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that decrease the presence of bacteria and helps swollen gums. I'm surprised that dentist don't make this suggestion more often.

Here's to hoping that her gum inflammation heals quickly!

[MineralMan]

7. She already feels better. Just getting the word that

it wasn't a tooth thing that would require work made her feel better right away.

Anyhow, she's fine, and will soon be rid of the rest of the pain. Thanks for being concerned!

[PasadenaTrudy]

8. I wouldn't live rural

for all the money in the world.

[Demovictory9]

9. yes, documentary on PBS showed people in rural areas living hours drive from medical care