I had 2 fillings re-done 2 weeks ago – top and bottom on the right back side. Everything seems to have been fine until a few days ago when I noticed my gums were inflamed around both teeth. It seems to come and go and pressure provides some relief (toothpick or end of a plastic flosser). I’m not sure if it’s related, but I have noticed when flossing that there is more space in between teeth than before and the space on the lower one seems to go quite deep now, making it more difficult to floss. But I feel like I can floss the upper one just fine and I am having just as much inflammation there. Is this normal or do I need to go back and get it checked out? I’m pregnant and am really trying to avoid going out as much as possible. (Maybe pregnancy is contributing to the inflammation?)

Possibly relevant: I clench and grind my teeth at night like crazy and always have. I wear a guard, but I’m pretty sure the teeth in question still receive a substantial amount of pressure.

Side question: should I invest in one of those water pick flossers if I’m now having trouble flossing the difficult area? My teeth are really sensitive to cold, so I’ve always been wary of them.

Any advice would be really appreciated!

Emotional freedom technique is a healing technique that relieves body of anxiety, fear, physical pains and many deep emotional blocks.

Emotions are defined as energy in motion. High energy emotions exhibit as happiness, bravery, confidence or fearlessness, whereas low energy emotions exhibit as fear, anxiety, apprehension, denial or sometimes being stubborn, rejecting the situations that could actually help. Low energy emotions are depleted emotions with blocked energies that reflect blocked life source.

EFT works parallel to the Chinese philosophy of acupressure. There are certain meridian points in the body through which energy flow takes place. When we go into depleted emotional state, this energy gets blocked and hence it blocks our performance. EFT in implementation is meant to open these blocks and help regain the centric energy that restores normal functioning of the physical, emotional and mental system.

In pediatric dental practice, EFT is used to release fear and anxiety. Children are apprehensive about the unknown, needles, drills, in general, getting through the treatment.
The underlying fear or anxiety can have multiple reasons of origin. EFT philosophy works from 50 – 99% of times. This technique involves tapping on certain meridian points in order to reactivate the centric energy flow that allows concentration, release of fear, overall ease and thus better comprehension of the situation.

“Tapping” is practiced in very subtle manner during the treatment appointment if children are anxious. Tapping activates the meridian points that allows instructions to be passed on to the subconscious brain, which in turn activates positive response from conscious brain. The tapping points accessible from the right side of the dental chair are as follows:

1. Crown
2. Upper brow
3. Outer eye
4. Lower eye
5. Temporal lobe
6. Hand

A brief about EFT philosophy and tapping points is explained and consented prior to the treatment by the parents. Children

Hello, so I went to the emergency dentist on Saturday morning because a tooth I have a crown on was hurting so much I hadn’t been able to sleep the night before. The dentist told gave me Amoxicillin for the infection and Ibuprofen, apparently my gums were getting deeper due to bruxism so it had become bad and I need to get a mouth guard soon. Well, the pain was excruciating even though I don’t have a root there (I got a root canal there years ago) until yesterday afternoon since nothing calmed it, not ibuprofen, not paracetamol, not anything. I tried a benzocaine spray for the affected area yesterday at around 3 p.m. and the pain subsided quite a lot and I could actually get up from bed. The thing is, since 7 p.m. yesterday the affected areas started selling and during the night it did some more, the area now feels tight when I move it and the touch is soft but painful. I’m worried because I’ve been taking amoxicillin for the infection but the swelling began only yesterday night. Maybe it could be an allergic reaction or something is not working. I am thinking of going to the regular ER since the emergency dentist is too far away and I don’t have anyone to take me today. Should I go or is this normal? I’m worried.