Hi, You can make your own oil of clove - put 1/4 cup of cloves in a jar. Cover with cider vinegar. Let sit for two weeks to ferment. Remove cloves. Apply sparingly to affected tooth and gum area. In a pinch, you can apply clove powder to gumline surrounding affected tooth - I use this method occasionally. Only one problem, it makes you drool :) The numbing effect of the clove is amazing. Cheers! Carla Betty B wrote: > Dear Kyle, Carla, and everyone who offered suggestion to me last week, > > I did read all your posts, and I appreciate the time you took to write them. > I apologize for not replying until now. > > Kyle, I spoke with my dentist who confirmed that it was okay to take two > percosets at a time if necessary. Brother, it was necessary for a couple of > days. Truth to tell, after all the pain I suffered over the weekend, I > didn't mind the euphoric feeling I got from taking that much percoset. > > Carla, I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that not all root canals are > necessary. I am also convinced that the need for some root canals are > created right in the dentist's chair. I can't prove it but I am firmly > convinced that this is so. I once worked as a dental assistant and the vast > majority of set ups I did for appointments were root canals set ups -- > hmmm... What, pray tell, is to stop the dentist from drilling to the point > where he or she exposes the nerve(s)? Dentin is not impervious to drill > bits. I will go to the website you told me about too. I am very interested > in this subject and the comments you had to make. I am also aware of the > controversy surrounding mercury in old fillings. At the moment though, I'm > not sure that I would recommend that people make a mad dash to the dentist to > have their old fillings removed. In fact, I don't have the knowledge in this > area to recommend one thing or another. > > I've known my dentist for nearly 20 years, and have been going to his > practice since I was 12 (except when I lived away from this area). I'm 42 > now, and experience with this man makes me feel confident about his > competency and ethics. I do not feel that way about all dentists, however. > They are not all "created equal." The three teeth that my DDS is working on > now have been in need of work for well over a year, and I've had pain off and > on for a long time. It's just that my needs were kind of put aside in favor > of my Mom's needs last year. I would say that he has been able to stave of > several root canals over the years. I and my pocketbook are grateful. > > Oil of clove -- I'm still looking for it. A number of people suggested that > and the numbers tell me that there must be something to it. > > Steve, your suggestions were interesting. I enjoyed reading them -- THANKS! > > Thank you everyone. > > Betty