Ongoing problem with tooth/teeth

[Tra77]

For almost 12 months I've been having treatment on 2 teeth - the reason 2 teeth is that I nor my dentist knew which one was causing the problem, after weeks/months of agony, temporary fillings, removal of temporary fillings, replacement of temporary fillings (I always have problems with fillings - they never seem to settle immediately, dentist says I have very sensitive teeth) the dentist finally root filled (I think) my teeth. Ever since, I've not been able to eat on the side of mouth/teeth in question. If, I 'suck down' on the area it bleeds and I get a horrible taste in my mouth (what I'd describe as the taste of poison!) or sometimes I can taste the mouthwash I've used in the morning. I've explained all this to my dentist who has repeatedly patched up (when required) bits of the tooth/filling that have broken off to the stage now where he can't see anything else wrong with the teeth/fillings.
He mentioned crowns, but given my past problems with fillings not settling etc. said he was reluctant to have me pay for them in case they indeed didn't settle. He also didn't really want to perform an extraction due to the amount of treatment I've had to suffer. Anyway just wondering if anyone else had had similar problems or can tell me why it's not settled or the most likely cause of my agony after eating.

He has by the way finally agreed to an extraction (next month), however I'm worried further due to the fact I don't know which tooth is causing the problem(s) and I really don't want to have more extractions than absolutely necessary!

Also, I read somewhere that you should not apply heat when suffering with toothache - is the correct?

[alison999]

Dont apply heat.

The only thing I can say is that at least you have a dentist that is looking out for you and isnt trying to 'rip you off'. I think you have a very good dentist!

[Tra77]

Thanks alison999, I certainly do! He's been fantastic it's as if he's working for nothing everytime he sees/treats me. . . I just wish I/he could get the problem solved ;0(

[alison999]

Toothsmith, a dentist on here will be able to give you a much better reply than me! I just remember him saying never to apply heat...

[Toothsmith]

That's right - never apply heat.

As to the rest of it - I really wouldn't like to comment here.

We all come across patients every now and again who have some rather non-specific symptoms which are obviously causing them quite a bit of distress.

There are so many things that could be going on and I'm sure your dentist will have investigated all of the more obvious ones, and probably a lot of the not-so-obvious ones.

I can think of a couple of patients I have with similar things going on. When dealing with people, not every problem has a definite cause, or indeed a definite cure. People are not like cars or washing machines.

Be interesting to see if extraction stops the problem.

[Tra77]

Thanks for your comments!

What's the reason for not applying heat?

Also, after an extraction how soon should I be able to eat on the area?

A little more of my problem. . .
A couple of weeks ago I started with what felt like a sore gum (opposite side to above/original problem) which after almost a week progressed to pain when eating, I went to the dentist who though it was the start of an abscess (tooth had a very large filling and he believed that the root had started to die off). In light of my previous problems he gave me antibiotics and we together agreed to an extraction during Nov. The antibiotics didn't completely clear the problem so I went back and he did the extraction there and then. It bled for almost 3 hours and a little more during the night!. . .I felt shocking and rather embarrassed that I'd only had a tooth out!!! Anyway, it looks to me to be healing ok (a little puffy today though around my eye) - clot formed etc. but due to the problems with the other side I'm having trouble eating and to make matters worse I'm an insulin dependant diabetic and therefore really do need to eat. I'm managing on soup, porridge & rice pudding at the mo but wondering when it will be 'safe' to try other things. To be honest I'm in more pain with the other side right now but don't want to disturb the extraction area sooner than I ought to, if that makes sense?

[Toothsmith]

Applying heat incubates the bugs, and they multiply at a much faster rate.

As for the other - you need specific advice from your dentist.