Toothache and No Insurance

Having dental insurance can be very convenient when you need that extra savings in the dental office. However, if you cannot afford dental insurance, that does not mean you have to suffer. Many people who have been in this very situation have found ways to get help despite having no insurance or money on hand. If you would like to learn of ways to obtain low-cost or even free dental care please read on.

First, let's look at some of the different types of toothache. A toothache can be caused by a sensitive tooth that is responding to hot, cold, sweet or bitter foods. Another possible cause is that a cavity has gotten too far advanced. A tooth with an exposed central root will need either a root canal or surgical removal to ultimately fix the pain. Occasionally, a sinus infection can even mimic a toothache due to nerve endings firing off around the teeth. This may falsely cause you to think there is something seriously wrong with your tooth in the absence of visible cavities.

There are a few ways you can assess yourself to determine if you are experiencing sinus infection. If you've had cold symptoms that have not fully cleared up, gently press below your cheekbones around your sinus cavities for sensitivity. If you feel pressure or pain, you may be experiencing a sinus infection. Sinus infections can be notorious for sending pressure down to the nerve endings around the teeth. (Note: This self-assessment should never be used in place of Doctors' professional advice.) Using a humidifier, a saline rinse, and/or over the counter pain reliever may clear things up if the pain is due to sinuses.

Sometimes a toothache may be caused by sensitivity. A true toothache will feel very different from sensitivity. For a tooth that is aching due to sensitivity, one of the most affordable and easiest fixes is to purchase a soft-bristled toothbrush and to use a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth. Avoid biting down on sugary foods, especially with sensitive teeth. If hot or cold bothers you, this is a major indicator of tooth sensitivity. If this is the case, try to make the temperature of your food just at room temperature before consuming it.

If you can actually see a problem, for example, an abscessed tooth or a cavity that has gotten out of control, over the counter pain medication will not fix the underlying problem and may only briefly help the pain. If this is the case, you must see or contact a professional to be fully evaluated and treated for possible infection as soon as possible, money or not.

If a professional doctor has determined that you are not facing an emergency then you can begin to look for affordable dental treatment options. You could start by calling your local Health Department in your county. Ask them if they have information on a list of the local free/discounted dental clinics in the area. The county may also have other resources for you that you are totally unaware of. Many Health Departments have an in-house Dentist who can see you for a minimal fee, regardless of whether or not you have insurance.

Dental schools on the other hand often need patients to work on, as such they are often a go-to for those looking for affordable dental care. Many local schools that have a Dental Program will often offer their services for a very low price or even free since the work will be done by students. This work is however supervised by seasoned Dentists and professors overseeing their work. While this might sound scary at first, remember, these students have studied the same programs as a qualified Dentist has and are now training doing hands-on work. This can be a great alternative to get dental work done, especially if you have a toothache and no insurance.

These options may require phone calls, driving a longer distance than you normally would, and possibly getting up earlier than you typically would to be seen. These may also even involve waiting in a long line with other people who also have a toothache. Regardless of those possibilities, you will find it is well worth it to relieve the anguish that is toothache.