Seven years ago I had a dental filling placed. It was fine for a while, but now hurts pretty much all the time. The only relief I have found is when I put water on it. Do you have any advise for me?

Brandon

Dear Brandon,

The symptoms you are describing are a tell-tale sign of an infected, dying tooth. You need to have a root canal treatment done on this as soon as possible. I would call your dentist and schedule and emergency dental appointment. If he or she cannot get you in, then I would call a dentist who advertises as an emergency dentist. This is not a specialty. It just means a dentist who is willing to see non-established patients in the case of an emergency.

It is unlikely they will do the root canal treatment there. However, what they can do is create an opening which will relieve the pressure and the pain you are feeling. Please do not think this can be put off once you are out of pain. The only real way to get rid of a dental infection is for the dentist to physically removed the infected pulp. This will only get worse until the real treatment is done.

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