Minor toothache - how urgent?

Legacy_user

Hi everyone

I have minor toothache and sensitivity, and am bracing for it to possibly be band 3 treatment, it wouldn't put me into debt now but it'd use some of my emergency funds and I would need a little extra loan next year for wedding if I do this (can't really cut back on that) - since it may deteriorate would you do it?

My income is slightly iffy because of health issues, so I need the emergency fund, and I've put off getting eyes tested/new glasses (since I don't believe wearing the wrong prescription accelerates their deterioration), and put off getting electric shower fixed (baths). Also need emergency fund for car breakdown. Income above the level for free dentistry, don't want to have to reduce private pension contributions, even to avoid wedding loan (you wouldn't fully repay a mortgage before starting a pension).

McKneff

What makez you think it could be band 3.

jk0

Don't neglect your teeth...


Here's a cautionary tale for you:


In Nov 2016 my gf went for a crown. She could not afford to go back to get the permanent crown fixed that month, so there was about a month delay.



Last year the tooth started aching again. It turned out it got infected due to the delay, and she needed antibiotics and a root canal. Total cost £1500!

System

Mckneff - I had band 3 before without really feeling much beforehand, for all I know it could be

Jk0 - thank you

BananaRepublic

Do you have six monthly checks? If not, you really should. I’ve had a bad wisdom tooth with a dull ache that died down. I saw it in camera and it had a huge hole in the side that went deep into the tooth. I have another wisdom tooth with a hole, don’t feel a thing. I’ve also had aches and pains that just indicated healthy teeth and nerves.

DigForVictory

Think of the band 1 cost of getting it checked as insurance? A "pinch of prevention saves a pound of cure" & anyway those around you will love you more if you are not growling with toothache.

System

I must confess my last check was 2016 because I needed every penny to buy a house, It wasn't the only thing I was supposed to do but didnt- I went without life insurance and lived on baked beans to do so, gradually beginning to upgrade things as I get out of the mire and pay off a tax credit overpayment, just not feeling particularly secure yet incase income does drop but so far every month save about 350 across different pots, although its still way short of what you're supposed to hold in an emergency fund even for the healthy, so its an improving picture so far but still risky.

Toothsmith

If you've not had a check up for 3 years, then going for one now would be a sensible idea whether you had a twingy tooth or not.

No one can guess how urgent a minor niggle could be without being able to look in your mouth - but whatever it may be, nothing is going to get any cheaper by ignoring it.

Make an appointment on Monday.