I think I should switch dentists because my temporary crown won’t stay on. It fell off my bottom right second molar the day after I got it. I went back and forth to the dentist because the crown either fell off or broke four times. My dentist took another impression of the tooth for the lab, but I’m still concerned about spending more time with this dentist. Is it too risky to switch dentists in the middle of a crown procedure? – Bethany from IL Bethany, It is not too risky to switch dentists in the middle of a crown procedure if your dentist can’t get your temporary crown to stay on. Although ..read more

I’m looking for ways to avoid getting dentures and getting dental implants even though I don’t have money for them. I’m wondering if I could apply for a program or join a waitlist for a dentist who does implants for people who can’t afford them. Or if a dental practice could use me in an ad or if there is a study or something that I can sign up for to get free dental implants. I’m a 40-year-old single dad who is on the verge of losing all my teeth from neglect. My kids have been through so much. I just want to smile for them without embarrassing myself or them. Where can I find free implants ..read more

I got two new crowns last October  and one of the has fallen off four times. The last time it fell off I was in Kansas visiting my father. My tooth was very sensitive to cold because the crown fell off, so I went to an urgent care. I waited for three hours, and they didn’t do anything but tell me to go to a dentist. I found some temporary bonding stuff and put the crown back on. I basically lived on lukewarm soup for the next three days until I got back home. I called my dentist’s office and they saw me right away. My dentist bonding the crown back on, but I asked how he would make sure t ..read more

I still have jaw numbness that is not improving after wisdom teeth removal. An oral surgeon pulled all four of my wisdom teeth. I waited until I was 32 to get the teeth pulled, so I thought I might have a rough recovery. I saw the surgeon for sensation tests because the lower right side of my jaw was highly numb after a week. I will follow up in two weeks. I have trouble brushing my teeth and eating. Should I be concerned? Is there something I can do at home to improve the situation? My dentist recommends waiting because I might have nerve damage. She says it takes months for some nerves to he ..read more

My lower left right front tooth was chipped last October, and the bonding keeps falling off. My dentist can’t seem to secure it. The chip isn’t large, but it’s big enough to show when I smile. The bonding fell off four times. When it comes off, my tooth looks worse than it did without the bonding. I’m tired of trial and error and going back and forth to the dentist. I lost my confidence in her anyway. She doesn’t know how to repair my tooth. What do you suggest?  It’s sad to think about changing dentists for a small tooth chip, but I’m self-conscious about my smile. Thanks. Lydia Lydia, M ..read more

After getting top and bottom partial dentures in August 2023, I developed sores in my mouth and on my tongue. My dentist referred me to multiple specialists before I decided to get allergic testing. I am allergic to nickel and have a list of other metal allergens. Could the allergic reaction make me feel physically sick? I feel better when I remove the partials after getting home from work, but worse during the day. Thanks. Kelli from Montgomery, AL Kelli, Since you experienced some relief at night when removing the partials, it’s clear your body was reacting to exposure to the allergenic meta ..read more

How can I treat a tooth infection at home? I do not have dental insurance, so I need some advice. The toothache hurts daily, and yesterday, the swelling in my left cheek increased. What can I do for the infection until I save enough money to see a dentist? Rhoda   Rhoda, How Can You Treat a Tooth Infection at Home? You cannot treat a tooth infection at home because it is inside the tooth, which neither you nor antibiotics alone can reach. You need professional care from a dentist to remove the infection. How Can You Treat a Tooth Infection? A dentist must perform root canal treatment for ..read more

I had never heard of enamel hypoplasia until two years ago. It took a new dentist to diagnose me correctly. However, I didn’t start treatment because I knew I would relocate in two months. Now that I must find a new dentist, I would like to know my options before choosing one. Is composite bonding the best option to make my teeth a uniform color? – Thanks. Oaklynn   Oaklynn, A skilled cosmetic dentist can examine and x-ray your teeth to determine treatment options for the discoloration. What Is Enamel Hypoplasia? Enamel hypoplasia is a defect where the enamel of the teeth hasn’t fully for ..read more

A persistent soreness in my gums between my first and second molars is getting worse. The spot hurts daily and throbs after I eat. The pain decreases in about an hour. It doesn’t hurt again until I eat something. I’ve felt discomfort for about eight months. I asked my dentist to check it during my last dental cleaning, but she didn’t see anything, even after an X-ray. The second molar had a root canal seven years ago. My dentist said we could consider removing the tooth if the pain didn’t go away. I reminded her that my gums, not the tooth, hurt. May I ignore the pain if it didn’t hurt so bad ..read more

Can I whiten my teeth with lemons or lemon essential oil without damaging them? I know natural lemon is acidic, but will the essential oil work? I read online that lemon oil will whiten teeth without damaging them. If I can find natural alternatives to teeth bleaching, that would be great. So, if not lemons, I’m interested in anything else I can do at home. Thanks. Kamilya Kamilya, Whitening your teeth can refresh your smile. If your teeth are in good condition, brighter teeth can look like you’ve had a smile makeover. Does Citric Acid from Lemons Whiten Teeth? Citric acid from lemons etches t ..read more