When Your Dentist Won't See You And You Know You Have A Cavity: What To Do Next

There is a trend in dentistry now where if your blood pressure is even borderline high, your dentist will not treat any dental issues you have. It can be an incredibly frustrating and worrisome time. When the dentist tells you that your blood pressure has to be lower, but you need that cavity filled and the tooth restored, what do you do? The added complication of spending weeks and months trying to get your blood pressure under control leaves that cavity exposed, which can get worse. Here is what you can do next. 

Exercise Daily

Daily exercise will help to reduce your blood pressure. In most people, this works without medication. Find 20 to 30 minutes a day, and just do it. Your goal is not about weight loss or your health; it is about getting that tooth fixed. Everything else is just a side benefit. If exercise does not work, add medication and see your doctor.

Add Medication

Adding medication is something no one ever wants to do. If you were to lose a lot of weight or exercise reduced your blood pressure, the medication could bring your blood pressure a little too low. (Signs of low blood pressure are fainting and feeling dizzy.) Your doctor will add medication to your exercise regimen and gradually increase the doses and dosages until your blood pressure is under control. While you and your doctor work on that, there are some things you can do to slow the progress of tooth decay in the tooth that has a cavity. 

Avoid Sugary Foods

This may seem like common sense, but right now, when you cannot get a dentist to fill the cavity because of another medical condition, it is vital advice to follow. Avoid sugary foods as much as possible to prevent the cavity in your tooth from deepening and widening. 

Brush With Fluoridated Toothpaste More Often

Until you can get your blood pressure under control in order to have the cavity filled, brush more often with a fluoridated toothpaste. The fluoride will stop the progression of the decay long enough for you to manage the hypertension. In fact, upping your brushing routine to twice a day will give you up to a year of slowed progress on that cavity, which may be just enough time to find the right exercise and medication regimen to correct the hypertension issue enough to fill the cavity. 

To learn more, contact your local dentist.