tooth ache

Hi Everyone - I guess that I am hoping by typing this, I will find a bit of relief. Yesterday morning after I had been awake for several hours, my right jaw began to hurt a bit. A few more hours and I was able to pin point what was actually hurting. It is the last bottom tooth on the right side. I took acetaminophen once late afternoon. It wasn't too painful at that point.

Well.....I have been awake since 2:30 thi smorning and a few times I have almost been in tears because of pain. I will be calling the dentist as soon as he opens today. I am sure that he will extract it. I hate to admit it but during the past year or so I have been losng one tooth after the other. I am sure that taking mouth drying medications for about the past twenty years has not helped matters. Over the same time period I have also put a tremendous amount of money in to trying to preserve my teeth.

During this humbling process I have found out how vain I am. Last summer I was diagnosed with breast cancer which turned out to be non-vasive or non-life threatening, but did require a mastectomy. I had a worse time emotionally about losing the teeth than I did the breast. Thus far only one of the teeth that I have lost has required a denture appliance. I have a plate with one tooth on it which became necessary when I lost the cap off of one of my front teeth.

I am also aware of one other tooth that he may go ahead and pull today too. Anyway, I think that I am full enough of pain killers now that I can do what I need to in order to hopefully see him as early today as possible. I will check back and let folks know how it goes. Thank you all for giving me a place that I can go and vent a bit.

The weekend is upon us. Have a great one everyone.

Ruby