Dental advice afloat sought

[captain58sailin]

Majority go to Paris, London and Amsterdam. There are also a lot of them go to Houston, Atlanta. Thanks for the heads up, about the bacteria resistance, I am only using the antibiotics long enough to get ashore and get it taken care of, I don't get an off week, I am here for 2.5 months, then I get a couple of months off, right now I got a month left on my contract, so I am stuck with the local guy. I have been over dosing the antibiotics I have in hopes of knocking it down until I get in so they can do a root canal.

[captain58sailin]

I only have a couple more days offshore then I'll get into the dentist.

[chubby]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

Thanks for the advice, both of you, I am going to stick with the antibiotics as long as they hold out and I don't start running a fever. I have had this experience before and I had to use a toothpick to rupture the spot. So using a sterile needle and betadine will be a step up for me.

as a temp solution..this(antibiotics) is your best bet.
obviously u need to see the dentist(anywhere) asap

/source: i chuck teeth for a living..

// the ARE actually pretty good..infection control protocol following dentists in nigeria or whever u going. not that hard pulling teeth or doing a root canal. prett sure they have youtube there

[Jimbo485]

If things get worse, you could try doing what my old man did while singlehanding between Panama and Tahiti.

The pain got so bad, he broke off the smallest drill bit he had, sterilized it and then drilled into the tooth by turning the bit with thumb and finger. Then he stuffed the hole with rum-soaked toilet paper.

I am sure you have better tools / instruments than he did......

Good luck! Tooth and ear pains are shocking.

[Jimbo485]

If things get worse, you could try doing what my old man did while singlehanding between Panama and Tahiti.

The pain got so bad, he broke off the smallest drill bit he had, sterilized it and then drilled into the tooth by turning the bit with his thumb and finger. Then he stuffed the hole with rum-soaked toilet paper.

I am sure you have better tools / instruments / alcohol than he did......

Good luck! Tooth and ear pains are shocking.

[GordMay]

See also "where there is no dentist"
➥ http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/arvin...no-dentist.pdf

[captain58sailin]

Thanks everyone, Gord, you are the best. I should be going ashore in the next couple of days and I have good antibiotics to hold me until then. The last time I went to see a dentist in Nigeria, they were still using glass syringes hot out of the autoclave. The office was filthy. I don't have much choice. I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed and have a blood test when I get home.

[Cap Erict3]

ISOS has dentists in Port Harcourt.

My condolences for your position. Been there.

[shorebird]

Also not a dentist, but other issues with "maintenence" antibiotic therapy is the possibility of a secondary infection caused by suppressing some micro-organisms, allowing others to proliferate. Also seeing a dentist with an active infection can cause problems with the ph in your mouth neutralizing the anesthetic, and preventing full freezing, although, given your circumstances, not much else you can do.
I like the previous suggestion about getting a referral to a local dentist. There must be someone there who has proper training and equipment. Good luck.

[Teknav]

Hiya Captain! Upon arrival, contact the local US embassy/consulate for a dentist referral. The staff must know someone reputable that they use in emergencies. Good luck!

Mauritz

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Teknav

Hiya Captain! Upon arrival, contact the local US embassy/consulate for a dentist referral. The staff must know someone reputable that they use in emergencies. Good luck!

Mauritz

Good suggestion, or the British embassy....

Recently, I had the misfortune to have a bacterial infection get into my bloodstream. It is not something I would wish on anyone. Captain58 may be running that risk. I feel really glad that he will be able to get some help soon.

Ann

[zboss]

contact the US embassy in Nigeria... they will hook you up or at least point you in the direction of a reputable dentist near the embassy.

[captain58sailin]

Thanks for all the help, I should be getting to the beach tomorrow, the company I work for has made arrangements to see their dentist in the camp. I really appreciate the input and support.

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by Teknav

Hiya Captain! Upon arrival, contact the local US embassy/consulate for a dentist referral. The staff must know someone reputable that they use in emergencies. Good luck! Mauritz

Most of the staff are locals. I got a second passport when I was living there and the first woman that I dealt with insisted that I had to use passport photos provided by a street vendor.

ISOS has a presence many countries and is the preferred provider for many corporations.

https://www.internationalsos.com/en/..._4011_3937.htm

[captain58sailin]

Hi everyone, I finally got in to port, and got to see a dentist right away. She drilled out the old filling and put some kind of medicine in the bottom of the hole and sealed it back up, she said the nerve was still alive and didn't need a root canal yet. She was a 2nd generation dentist from Croatia. Thanks Tatiana, I am feeling much better now! Thanks to everyone that gave me advice about my problem, I wanted the input from the collective to make sure I didn't overlook something, and sure enough there were some good ideas that I am going to put away in my trick bag. I am also going to get the book that Gord suggested. I'll be willing to bet that this won't be the last time I have a tooth ache. I really appreciate all of the input, Thanks.