Dental Troubles
I have this one tooth that had a root canal 15 years ag0. The dentist who did the work was fading into senility (but was very affordable). Suffice it to say that I probably should have stopped having him work on my tooth somewhere before the 15th visit or definitely at the point where he had the hygienist read him the directions. However, I did not (did I mention how affordable he was).
Anyway, this tooth has always had problems. However, I have been reluctant to do anything about it because 1) I don't really like dental work and 2) I really, really don't like the cost of dental work.
Unfortunately on Saturday the tooth swelled up and had a nasty abscess (nothing like the cute little abscesses it has had in the past). It also started to hurt quite a bit. On Sunday it was still swelled up and nasty. Also, on Sunday I started having horrible stomach pains. I went for a short, easy ride but every time I climbed even a small hill I would have stabbing pains.
On Monday the tooth was not as swollen but still not great. On Monday the stomach problems continue and I was miserable all day at work. I rode home but skipped working out but did go to Pasquals. I skipped the margaritas as I didn't think my stomach could take any alcohol so clearly I was not feeling well.
Tuesday I was supposed to go to Appleton on a business trip. Thing was I couldn't leave the house because I was so sick. The only way to keep from being miserable was to not eat anything and try not to move. Good times.
Today I had my dentist appointment and the doctor and hygienist were both astounded at how horrible my swelling was. Funny part is that the swelling was hugely reduced and really wasn't that bad comparatively. The hygienist was all freaked out that I didn't call the emergency number and get a prescription for antibiotics over the weekend. This is when I decided to ask my dentist if the tooth infection could make me ill and he said that it definitely would since it was so bad. I was kind of wondering about that since it was a weird coincidence. Although I really had no idea that having a dental problem could make you so horribly ill. Now I know for the future.
Anyway, they extracted my tooth today which is at least a quick way to solve a problem although in a few months I'll get an implant which I presume takes longer. I've never had a tooth pulled and an implant put in before so I guess I'll find out. I'm guessing that the implant will be a costly undertaking but luckily extractions are covered by my health insurance. The doctor thought I handled the extraction well given that they are more painful if they are infected. All I could think of was how I wanted it gone since that tooth has been nothing but trouble for ever (I'm pretty sure it was one of the 4 teeth that I had filled as a child).
Today I spent the day drooling with cotton swabs stuck in my mouth and icing the side of my face to get the swelling down. However, having the tooth pulled seems to have cured my stomach ailment and I'm on antibiotics to kill off the last of the infection that had set in so I should be okay. The dentist said no solid food today but I cheated a little since I didn't eat yesterday but tiny pasta hardly counts.
Tomorrow I hope to resume exercising. Just in time to stop training again next week when I go to Minneapolis for work.
Anyway, this tooth has always had problems. However, I have been reluctant to do anything about it because 1) I don't really like dental work and 2) I really, really don't like the cost of dental work.
Unfortunately on Saturday the tooth swelled up and had a nasty abscess (nothing like the cute little abscesses it has had in the past). It also started to hurt quite a bit. On Sunday it was still swelled up and nasty. Also, on Sunday I started having horrible stomach pains. I went for a short, easy ride but every time I climbed even a small hill I would have stabbing pains.
On Monday the tooth was not as swollen but still not great. On Monday the stomach problems continue and I was miserable all day at work. I rode home but skipped working out but did go to Pasquals. I skipped the margaritas as I didn't think my stomach could take any alcohol so clearly I was not feeling well.
Tuesday I was supposed to go to Appleton on a business trip. Thing was I couldn't leave the house because I was so sick. The only way to keep from being miserable was to not eat anything and try not to move. Good times.
Today I had my dentist appointment and the doctor and hygienist were both astounded at how horrible my swelling was. Funny part is that the swelling was hugely reduced and really wasn't that bad comparatively. The hygienist was all freaked out that I didn't call the emergency number and get a prescription for antibiotics over the weekend. This is when I decided to ask my dentist if the tooth infection could make me ill and he said that it definitely would since it was so bad. I was kind of wondering about that since it was a weird coincidence. Although I really had no idea that having a dental problem could make you so horribly ill. Now I know for the future.
Anyway, they extracted my tooth today which is at least a quick way to solve a problem although in a few months I'll get an implant which I presume takes longer. I've never had a tooth pulled and an implant put in before so I guess I'll find out. I'm guessing that the implant will be a costly undertaking but luckily extractions are covered by my health insurance. The doctor thought I handled the extraction well given that they are more painful if they are infected. All I could think of was how I wanted it gone since that tooth has been nothing but trouble for ever (I'm pretty sure it was one of the 4 teeth that I had filled as a child).
Today I spent the day drooling with cotton swabs stuck in my mouth and icing the side of my face to get the swelling down. However, having the tooth pulled seems to have cured my stomach ailment and I'm on antibiotics to kill off the last of the infection that had set in so I should be okay. The dentist said no solid food today but I cheated a little since I didn't eat yesterday but tiny pasta hardly counts.
Tomorrow I hope to resume exercising. Just in time to stop training again next week when I go to Minneapolis for work.
posted by MadCross at 9:35 PM
3 Comments:
Oh, that sucks!! I had meant to tell you that I felt your (earlier) pain with regards to dental work, since I found out I need a bit of work done, but it's nothing like your current issues!!! Enough tooth pain and infection to make you physically ill sounds absolutely terrible. Hopefully you recover quickly and the tooth implant goes smoothly.
Hope your mouth is feeling much better!
ack!
take it easy on yourself for the next few days. fighting infections can really tax your body. . .
heal fast!
xo
m
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