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| Don't succumb to societal ideals of beauty! |
Set up your very own dental lab, with cosmetic teef from Imako!
| Oh... go on, then :-) |
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| Choose Imako� instead! |
Dr Bukk's ministry is to end the suffering of those who look too good or too bad... whatever! Tired of looking so good? No?
Then you might want to check out Imako� Cosmetic Teeth, which you can get from Dr. Bukk Inc.! Although this smacks of yet
another novelty product, apparently it works rather well. As one of our readers says:
"It is made by the same company that makes those "plastic" vampire teeth. They're very popular for Halloween
in the US. Anyway, it (imako) is a sort of thin shell that fits over a person's natural teeth. It's made (supposedly) to look
like a perfect, straight set of upper teeth. Personally, I don't think it looks all that realistic - the "teef"
are bigger than my own, but it's still a definite improvement in my case. It has a plastic backing which you melt in hot water,
then mold to cover your teeth." You can even create your own faux partials! The review above was written when Imako was
only available in a larger size, but now they're also available in a smaller size which should look a lot more realistic if
you have a smaller mouth.
Some caveats: they're not suitable for eating with, and it doesn't work if you have protruding (buck) teeth or any tooth that
protrudes a lot, or if you have a cross bite (lower teeth out in front of uppers). For more info, see Imako's site: Make Your Own Cosmetic Teeth!
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Pain Relief for Tooth Aches
The best over-the-counter painkillers for toothache are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short. These
include ibuprofen, or even better, ketoprofen if you can get hold of it. Ibuprofen is sold under many brand names, but the
most common are Advil and Motrin (US) and Nurofen (UK). Ketoprofen is either sold under its "real name" or under
a whole host of tradenames - just ask your pharmacist for "Ketoprofen". Dentists often prescribe 800mg Ibuprofen
every four (4) to six (6) hours as an alternative to narcotic pain relievers.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or even aspirin (disprin) are also pretty good for dental pain. Some people have reported that
Tylenol with Codeine has worked for them when other pain meds wouldn't. However, dental pain often comes from inflammation
and pressure on various tissues and nerves of the face. NSAIDs can be better for dental pain because they are both pain relievers
and good anti-inflammatories (vs. acetaminophen which is only a pain reliever). Paracetamol is a last resort, if you can't
get hold of NSAIDs or aspirin, or if you can't take them for some medical reason.
DO NOT PLACE ASPIRIN ON OR AROUND THE SORE TOOTH! They can burn your mouth and harm your teeth. If you've been doing this
all along, don't worry too much about it - but stop doing it.
Another product which gets good reviews for alleviating dental pain are over-the-counter dental anaesthetic gels, pastes,
or liquids, such as Anbesol, Orajel or DenTek Stix. "Maximum strength" versions (20% benzocaine) are available.
The problem is that the effect doesn't last very long. Not available in the UK (I don't think), though you can use Bonjela
for sore gums.
For contraindications, side-effects and maximum doses, always read the label!
It's been mentioned that alternating Ibuprofen with codeine can help if you're on the maximum Ibuprofen dose, for the hours
in between when the Ibuprofen has worn off. Again - this information is provided for entertainment purposes only, and by using
this website, you agree that Dental Fear Central shall not be held responsible for any consequences should you decide to act
on the information provided.
If a cavity is causing your toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water and use a toothpick to remove food from the cavity.
Soak a piece of cotton with oil of cloves and pack it into the cavity, but avoid getting any oil on your tongue.
Tip: "If your pain is from nerve damage and you are getting the spontanous night pain try sleeping in a sitting position.
The nerve and pulp chamber doesn't get filled with fluid and blood and usually u don't get that throbbing pain.
If the pain is from a broken tooth and you have an exposed nerve, if the nerve is still relatively healthy just covering
it up will cause a great amount of relief. Take a piece of sugerless chewing gum chewed up and cover the nerve and tooth,
it should help alot. I have had patients try it all to cover the nerve, shove cardboard in their tooth, air plane glue trying
to seal the tooth, etc. but the sugarless chewing gum is your best temporary solution." (Dr Silverfill, DDS)
 If the pain is really bad and your gums or face are swollen, or there's stuff oozing out around a tooth, or you have a fever,
these may be signs of an infection or abscess. Please visit a doctor or, if that's out of the question, the emergency department
of your local hospital asap. You may need antibiotics to prevent the infection from getting worse and spreading.
Antibiotics kill the bacteria that are causing the swelling, tissue damage and infection and therefore help to relieve pain
as well.
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Tooth Sensitivity and Pain
Pain, especially to cold things, can also be caused by exposed dentine - the inner substance of the tooth, which is covered
by enamel. The enamel can get quite thin, especially where the tooth meets the root (at the gumline). The root is covered
by a substance called cementum, which is easily worn away. Dentine contains little tunnels (tubules) that link to the nerves
on the inside of the tooth, and when dentine is exposed, these nerves are easily stimulated, resulting in pain.
Desensitizing agents such as Sensodyne work by blocking off the tubules, so that the nerves don't get stimulated. Sensodyne
doesn't work that well used as a toothpaste. It works a lot better by gently massaging it into the sore spot with a finger.
Do NOT rinse it off with water or mouthwash. It may take several weeks before the desired effect is reached. Sensodyne can
be used indefinitely. The warning on the US packet not to use Sensodyne for more than a month is a legal requirement, designed
so that people won't put off seeing a dentist when something might be seriously wrong. There are no actual health reasons
for not using Sensodyne long-term.
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Repairing crowns, dentures and lost fillings
To temporarily recement lost crowns ("caps"), bridges, or veneers, use a temporary dental cement, such as Dentek Thin Set
(see below). Denture adhesive (such as Fixodent in the US) may also hold crowns and bridges in place temporarily. Also check
out this link: Coping with Dental Emergencies, broken dentures and crowns (caps) that fall out. You can also check out DenTek's range of repair and emergency kits:
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Toothache Kit:
Contents include Temparin temporary filling material (see below), cotton swabs, wooden applicator, toothache medication, and
toothsaver. Caution: Do not use if there is throbbing pain or swelling in the affected area.
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Temparin Temporary Filling Material:
For lost fillings: Wash affected area with warm water, dry with cotton swab. Using the wooden applicator, scoop a small amount
of Temporary Filling Material and place into the cavity, pack tightly. Bite down and clench teeth together, lightly grinding
a couple times to create a comfortable bite. Remove excess product from around area. Avoid chewing on repair for an hour to
allow the material to set.
For loose crowns (caps) or inlays: Carefully rinse tooth area and inside of the crown, cap or inlay with warm water and
dry thoroughly with cotton swab. Using wooden applicator, scoop a small amount of Temporary Filling Material and place evenly
inside the crown, cap or inlay. Place the crown, cap or inlay on tooth and carefully bite down, applying enough pressure to
secure in position. Use a toothbrush to gently clear excess material from around crown, cap or inlay. Avoid chewing for an
hour to allow the material to set.
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Thin Set Cap & Crown Cement:
See instructions for further details. I've also heard that ThinSet can be used to temporarily recement veneers, not just crowns
("caps").
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QuickStix Oral Pain Swabs (topical anaesthetic):
Contains 20% Benzocaine for maximum pain. Also safe to treat canker sores and sore gums.
Using the swab tip, apply a small amount of medication to the affected area including the surrounding gum or oral tissue.
Use up to 4 times daily or as directed by a doctor or dentist.
Caution: Don't use this product continuously. Do not use if you have a history of allergy to local anesthetics such as
procaine, butacaine, benzocaine, or other "caine" anesthetics.
Please note that such products are meant to be temporary measures - so don't expect them to last long (4-5 days if you're
VERY lucky).
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You shouldn't attempt anything that's more involved than the above in the home setting. The following is a post entitled
"extractions at home" which appeared on our message board - and one dentist's answer to it.
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"I need to know how to pull my own tooth. What tools should I use and what type of pain killers? Do not mention seeing
a dentist in your reply.Also, I need to know how to fill your own teeth. Should I use portland cement? Also, I want to place
shell teeth over a few front teeth. What glue should I use. Someone must know these answers. Also, I want to buy some fake
teeth and hold them in place with wires. Also, I am presently munching cashews to get rid of my tooth abcess. It has been
3 days and my abcess has been diminishing! Now I need to protect my tooth, any ideas?"
"Hi there, :D
I read all of your mail, so please read all of this one! I know you expected a response like this and don't really want
to hear it, but it is all true.
When I was a dental student they showed us pictures of a dentist who did his own treatment. He did it in the surgery (not
at home) and obviously was a qualified dentist. His teeth looked terrible and he ended up losing several of them. :-[ I have
also heard stories of dentists trying to do their own extractions, using the correct tools they still get themselves into
alot of bother and end up having to admit to their colleagues that they have made things worse by trying to save the embarassment
of going for an extraction. :-X No one ever considers the dentists out there who need dental treatment, alot of them have
issues about it too!!
I don't know the reasons why you previously did not want to go to a dentist, but unfortunately DIY dentistry will not
now solve your problem. At home you could never remove all the decay in a tooth before filling it, and anything you placed
in the tooth would leak, or kill the nerve. If you attempted an extraction you could end up fracturing the tooth making it
harder to get out when it flares up again, or you could cause a serious infection by using things in your mouth which are
not sterile. All the techniques we use in the surgery are tried and tested - and safe.
Remember even dentists need dentists! Please do not try to do this on your own. Go to the dentist and at least talk things
through. It will be less painful, look better and cost you less in terms of your general health and in finances in the long
run.
I know that you did not want this type of response! However I know that you know that all of this is true. There is no
quick fix. I apologise for disregarding your request for no 'go to the dentist' responses but I really felt that these things
had to be said. I also cannot answer any of your other questions for the reason that there is no good answer. There is nothing
that you could do at home that wouldn't be extremely risky to your dental and general health. Sorry.
I do hope that you manage to get things sorted out. You may even be surprised by how much easier it all is after you have
talked things through with a dentist you can relate to. You can obviously handle pain or you wouldn't be considering such
drastic action by your own hand. Anything you did to yourself would hurt 100 times more than it would in the surgery! So I
know that you are no coward. Perhaps it is feeling out of control that is the problem? With the right dentist and the right
management this need not be a problem - see how well so many others on this forum have got on."
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Recommended reading ;-P :
"Where There is No Dentist", by Murray Dickson, Michael Blake, Joan Thompson. Hesperian Foundation (1983).
Description. A rollicking good read, according to this rave review on Amazon.com:
"Too bad there are'nt more writer's of the same mind, filling in the gap between costly expertise andlayman srticture.
The book is a well-balanced workbetween hand drawn illustrationsand simple, succinct text, explaining procedures for teeth
cleaning,pulling, simple filling, brokenteeth, etc... anddescribes how to construct the necessary instruments and materialsout
of what bits can be found at hand, for all the procedures. At one end, we pay for the dentist's scent & muzak, at the
other, with this book, they discardthe intervening fluff and tripeand get something done themslves."
Can't find the answer to your DIY question on this page? Post your questions on our dental phobia message board.
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Resist the temptation of superglue, and go for a dental repair kit instead. OK, it might mean an embarrassing encounter
with a pharmacist, as well as having to face dentistry-related paraphernalia... but it really is a much safer choice. Boots
stock the Dentanurse kit - click on the picture below to find out more!
Have fun fixing teeth with this neat little kit, invented by a dentist... not a drill in sight! Which only goes to show that
dentists are pussies.
Similar kits are available outside the UK - for example, this Emergency Dental Kit (US), or have a poke around your local drugstore for things like DenTek's dental kits range (see left-hand column)!
And to add a touch of professionalism to your work, check out the "Dental Playbox"... It contains a dentist uniform,
nurse uniform, set of theatre greens, play-doh Dr Drill and Fill, playmobil dental surgery, large puppet, teeth and toothbrush,
set of chattering teeth, human biology box kit, four jigsaws, books, real equipment including gloves, surgical masks and dentists
bibs and leaflets (unfortunately, the Dental Playbox, produced in partnership with Boots PLC, will only be made available
to New Community and Health Promoting Schools in Scotland).
More Useful Links
Check out Dr Dan's Dental Emergency page - he should know, working in Nebraska ;) :
What to Do in a Dental Emergency When You're All Alone
For general dental emergency first-aid info, see
Dental Information Center for Emergency Help
For some more detailed instructions on how to use dental emergency kits, see these DIY kit instructions.
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Preventative Measures:
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| � Mark Parisi - www.offthemark.com |
"Prevention is the best cure"... a bit late now, though ;) ! Try the following tips to prevent things from getting
worse until you've worked up the courage to consult a dental service provider:
Cut down on sugars:
Even if you never brushed your teeth, you would never get a single cavity if there was no sugar (and, to some extent, starches)
in your diet - sounds good. Unfortunately, a lot of foods do contain sugar and starches, including bread, fruit, and other
healthy foods. A sugar-free diet would be an unhealthy diet. Sticky sweets (such as toffees) and sugar that remains in contact
with your teeth for an extended period of time (such as boiled sweets, or sipping non-diet soft drinks throughout the day)
are by far the worst offenders, though. This doesn't mean that you have to cut them out completely. It's not the amount of
sugary foods you consume, but the frequency with which you consume them that makes teeth more prone to decay. Some basic tips:
* Try and eat sweets such as chocolate bars and drink soft drinks as part of your meals, or eat your daily sweets ration in
one sitting if possible.
* Avoid keeping sweets in your mouth for long periods of time. Switch to sugar-free boiled sweets.
* Rinsing your mouth with water after eating sweets can also help.
* Avoid brushing your teeth for half an hour after drinking fruit juice, as this may wear enamel.
* Chew some sugar-free chewing gum after meals, for about 5 minutes, to neutralize acids (longer chewing is not recommended,
as it can wear teeth). Xylitol-containing, boiled "sweets" (sugar-free) are also recommended after eating, as they
appear to provide an environment hostile to the bacteria which cause decay.
Brushing:
* Brush your teeth at least once a day. Cleaning your teeth very thoroughly once every 24 hours is far better than giving
them a quick brush five times a day. This will take most people about 5 - 7 minutes. Be sure to brush all surfaces. Aim for
twice a day (that sort of ensures brushing thoroughly once a day, best done before going to bed). You can have one quick scrub
and one thorough one.
* Do NOT use a hard brush, as these can cause gum recession and enamel wear. Dentists recommend to use a soft, round-bristled
one with a small brushhead. The only reason why hard and medium bristles are made is to satisfy consumers who think they are
better or stronger. Replace at least every 3 months.
* Better still, invest in an electric toothbrush (if you can afford it, one with oscillating rotating action is best).
While manual toothbrushes can be as effective, most people do a better job with electric toothbrushes. Also, this greatly
reduces the risk of overbrushing and doing damage to your gums. Electric toothbrushes usually come with instructions on how
to brush correctly - follow the instructions.
* If you don't like toothpaste, for example because it makes you gag, you don't need to use it. The main effect of toothpaste
is supplying your teeth with fluoride to ward off decay. You can rinse with a fluoride-containing mouthwash after brushing
instead. When using a fluoride-containing toothpaste, you should not rinse out with water after brushing as this rinses the
fluoride off of your teeth - just spit the excess toothpaste foam away. If you live in a fluoridated area, you may want to
rinse (likewise, if you're using a fluoride mouthrinse). Some toothpastes, e.g. Colgate Cavity Protection, contain more fluoride
than others. "Industrial-strength" fluoride toothpastes are usually prescription-only.
Mouthrinses:
* Avoid long-term use of alcohol-based rinses such as Listerine. They may give you fresh breath (for a little while, at least)
and reduce build-up of plaque. But they also irritate the mucosa (the membrane in your mouth), and kill the "good"
bacteria in the mouth environment. In addition, they dry out your mouth, which leaves your teeth more prone to decay.
* If you're concerned about gum problems, use a rinse containing chlorhexidine gluconate instead of alcohol-containing
rinses. Examples are Corsodyl (UK - over-the-counter) and Peridex or PerioGard (US and Canada - prescription-only). Unfortunately,
they can only reverse the beginning stages of gum disease (gingivitis), not advanced stages. But they may at least slow the
progression of the disease. The disadvantage is that they can stain teeth (though these can be cleaned off by a dentist).
Avoid staining foods and drinks for one hour after using it. Use twice a day on a one week on, one week off basis. Rinses
are better than gels, because they get into the "cracks" better.
* Rinses containing chlorine dioxide (e. g. Oxyfresh) don't have the disadvantage of staining teeth, are available with
fluoride added, and are better for your mouth, but can be harder to get hold off. If you'd like to order some in Europe, contact
connect@dentalfearcentral.com - I can put you in touch with the distributer (probably cheaper than ordering from the US!).
It may not be quite as "powerful" as Chlorhexidine, but it's better for long-term use!
* You should use a fluoride rinse if your teeth are prone to decay and/or if you live in a non-fluoridated area. An example
is ACT rinse in the US. Use before going to bed, don't rinse with water. You can use this more than once a day.
Flossing:
Floss is a waxed or unwaxed piece of nylon string that is inserted between the teeth to remove debris and plaque. While flossing,
in principle, is a great idea, it can be downright impossible when you've got a lot of tartar stuck between your teeth. You
may want to wait until you can get a pro to show you how to do it right, to avoid doing any damage. If you want to give it
a try, Oral-B Satin Tape can be a good choice for beginners and those with teeth that are very close together. Here's the
instructions:
When Flossing- Take 30-40 cm (about the length of your arm) of floss and wrap around the middle finger of each hand. Pull
the floss tightly between the fingers and using the thumbs and index fingers gently slide the floss between two teeth. Curve
the floss around each surface of the two teeth in turn moving it between the tooth and gums as far as it will comfortably
go under the gumline. Don't worry about 'pulling fillings out' or 'damaging the teeth'- if a filling comes out with floss
- it wasn't right anyway! Avoid a sawing action with the floss and you won't damage the gums.
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