I have a cavity, can I take care of it at home?

Question

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Basically, I want to know, if I can live with the pain of the cavities, can I just take care of my mouth enough so that bacteria does'nt spread to other teeth and make anything worse?
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I have periodic tooth pain BUT do'nt want a root canal, or pulled teeth. Can I brush after every meal, use fluoride (ACT) mouthwash, listerine, and enamel strengthening toothpaste and not go to the dentist? I also gargle with salt water.

The Dentist gave me antibiotics, and said if pain returns I have to have a root canal or pull my 'way in the back' teeth.

--If I don't pull, will the bacteria kill all my OTHER teeth?
--Or can I get rid of the bacteria? with good hygeine?

P.S THE ANITBIOTIC WAS GIVEN MONTHS AGO, SO I HAVE BEEN HAVING THAT PERIODIC PAIN AFTER THAT.

Answer 1

No you can't take care of it yourself, the problem is already there and sooner or later it will reassert itself.
The bacteria will not kill your other teeth, but what it might do is either infect the bone and loosen your other teeth, or possibly go into your blood stream and kill you.
Three percent of all deaths stem from gum infections, something I was astounded to learn.
Apparently the same bacteria, once it gets into your bloodstream infects the heart muscle.
Bacteria will always be in your mouth, don't fool with it get yourself looked after. Even if the antibiotics work now you have shown a tendency to be sensitive to them.

Answer 2

No one really wants to go through having teeth pulled or root canals. I have had both and it isn't a lot of fun but no amount of cleaning is going to stop that tooth from getting worse. There is bacteria in your mouth 24/7. Things will get worse. Get this cavity looked after before your whole mouth is a mess. If you don't like the dentist you have now (if you are scared or something else has put you off) then go find another one. You don't have to stay with the same dentist, you are paying for this service, you can find a dentist you are more comfortable with. BTW antibiotics are not meant to be taken like painkillers. You should have taken them as prescribed months ago. They don't do any good if you take one here and one there. Suck it up, go to the dentist and get this taken care off now before it gets worse.

Answer 3

No absolutly not!! I think that most people dont know that when you let a cavity go it does not just stay small or heal itself, it slowly eats through your tooth and sometimes to the nerve. So unless you want to spend 2 1/2 hours in a dentist chair having a super painful root canal that you will have to take medicine for the after pain then I would get to the dentist before you regret it.

Answer 4

Sounds like you either can't afford dental care or hate it and fear it. I can relate to both. BUT, trust me, the longer you put off a visit to the dentist, the more you will have to pay further down the road...in both personal pain and suffering, and expenses.
A simple cavity is easy to deal with...root canals post and crowns bridges, and the posibilities of abcesses, which CAN KILL are what you will have to look forward to if you choose to ignore proper dental care and hygene.
Besides, you should be brushing at least 2x a day as it is and flossing often.
Again, I can not stress how dangerous an infection is. Get it fixed.

Answer 5

You could eventually develop other problems like abscessed teeth and impacted teeth and you really need to get it taken as soon as possible. You cannot take care of it at home. It's a good way to spread the germs all over the place, not a good idea. See a dentist, get it fixed, if you can't afford one, go to a dental clinic that will charge on a sliding scale.

Answer 6

Once your teeth get bad enough you'll want the dentist to do anything he can to stop the pain. You've seen Castaway haven't you? ;)
Having your teeth pulled doesn't hurt at all. They numb it and you can't feel a thing. I've heard root canal's can be uncomfortable but I haven't had one of those.
If you don't get cavities filled then eventually it'll turn into a root canal.
It won't matter how clean you keep your teeth, once it gets infected you'll have to go to the dentist.
I promise you it's not bad. I was terrified to go, but my wisdom teeth were bothering me so bad, I finally gave it. I paid the extra $400 and was put to sleep. But I woke up and waalaa it was all over with.

Answer 7

No! Go get the cavity filled before it gets much more expensive. Your dentist gave you bad information. The cavity can only get worse, and then become a root canal if it isn't already. Root Canal's are not painful, unlike popular belief. The tooth will eventually break and if it gets to small a root canal/crown will not be possible, you will then need an inlay. INLAYS ARE EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE! Do it NOW!

Answer 8

You will endure pain until cavity rots the tooth down so that the nerve is exposed. Then you will go back to the dentist. As for bacteria killing all other teeth, doesn't work quite as expressed. If bacteria spreads, and it will, you will first get gum infection. Teeth may eventually fall out. Good luck

Answer 9

Yes, you can definitely "take care of it at home." No problem.

Just go to your tool drawer and get a hammer and chisel. Place the chisel on the tooth that has the cavity. Then, use the hammer to hit the chisel into the tooth, hard and continually, until the cavity is chipped out, or until the tooth is gone.

Answer 10

There are two solutions you can use at home.
1. Grab a pair of pliers. Clamp down on the offending tooth and pull real hard.
2. A piece of string tied to your offending tooth and to door knob, car bumper, or large dog. The dog, I think is best. It would move suddenly and would pull the tooth unexpectedly.

In both cases, the cavity will be gone.