Dentist visit 19 Molar Extracted

 Well, I finally took care of that bad molar that was causing the dreaded abscesses I was suffering from. The previous home remedies for a toothache were used one too many times and it was time to face the dentist.

The tooth that was giving me trouble was the #19 molar, which is the first molar on my bottom left. There is the canine tooth, then two premolars, and the next one going back is the #19 tooth or first molar.

My dentist did believe he could save the tooth by doing a root canal, but I was just as the point of wanting to get rid of this tooth once and for all. This was definitely a tooth I had come to hate. That is isn't going to save me from having a root canal. I was told after a brief examination that I should have two root canals performed on two other teeth. I believe I will follow through on having them done since I have no desire to experience the pain I had for the past year or so. I estimate the tooth I had extracted flared up 7 times. Sometimes the abscess would come and go easily. This last time the agony lasted 5 days. I decided this would be the last time.

This time the pain was excruciating. I couldn't think, couldn't sleep, couldn't eat. All I could do was think and feel pain. On the fourth day I thought I was out of the woods. The abscess was drained and nearly gone and I had no more pain. Then wham! I got a sharp, intense pain. The pain ran along my jaw and felt like it was going into my ear and eye socket. I felt like I should just cut my head off. I figured that wasn't really a good option.

Motrin did nothing for the pain. It continued. I had an ice pack and that seemed to help a little. Then I had an idea, try ice water. I took a swig of ice water and rinse it around. Amazing! Instant relief. However, once the water got warm in the mouth. I had to spit it out and take in some new water. I continued doing this from 2:30 p.m. until the next moring at 9:30 a.m.. That's right, no sleep but yet no pain. I did get to sleep about an hour before going to the dentist. Im sure I didn't look well, I know I didn't feel well.

So, I had the tooth extracted. No pain. My face and mouth were very numb due to the Novocaine, which eventually wore off. I had no problem being numb, it was much better than the past five days. I had some slight pain that night around 8 o'clock, but it was minor so I used Motrin. The extraction site is healing nicely now, five days later, so that is good. I never had dry socket and had two previous extractions with no problems, yet I was a little worried thinking "it could be happen".

I didn't fool around though. After reading about dry socket, I decided I would get clove oil, which is great for tooth pain caused by nerve or pulp damage. When they pull the tooth, blood should pull in the socket and the healing process should start. What sometimes happens is the blood clot gets dislodged and then you can have the dreadful experience of "dry socket". This pain is caused from the jaw bone and nerves being exposed to air, food, liquirds, etc. and this causes pain. If you have dry socket, the area will in time still heal on its own. You will need to do something about the pain. It is a good idea to go back to your dentist where he will then clean the site and administer a "medicated" packing to get rid of the pain. However, you can get clove oil yourself and put it into the site yourself by using an eyedropper or administering syringe to squirt the clove oil into the socket. It doesn't taste great and may give a slight burning sensation to other areas if you spill it. Just put it on the socket area.

The alternative is to suffer for 5 or 6 days, which I don't think you would want to do. Anyway, I just so thankful that I am no longer in pain and can sleep well again. Toothaches and abscesses suck!

Pennsylvania Probationary License How it Works

Pennsylvania Probationary License - How the Process Works

If you are reading this, you are probably interested in a Pennsylvania Probationary License.

Since I just received mine today, I will share the process and how it worked. I didn't have the greatest driving record to start with due to having a few DUI offenses which also included driving under suspension DUI related.

Well, fast forward 7 years later. I lost my license for a total of 8 years and then learned about a probationary license and what it takes to get one. A person in Pennsylvania can get a probationary license if their license is suspended or revoked for 5 or more years. The least amount of suspension you can have is 3 years and that is for more minor related suspensions like never having a license and getting caught, speeding, racing, etc.

To get the license no matter what your circumstance, you need to have "clean time". In other words, you haven't had another violation in the time needed to get a probationary license.

Like in my case, having a DUI , driving under suspension DUI related, suspended for a refusal to submit, as well as a few other scenarios, you need to have a full 7 years of no new offenses.

Anyway, the day came that I was eligible. I sent in the form as well as the amount of money needed. In my case $163.75 which was $88.75 for the license and $75.00 for the restoration fee.

I then received a letter approximately 3 weeks later stating I was eligible and approved. However, before the license could be issued I would be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device installed as well as attend a Departmental Review session.

I called to have an Ignition Interlock installed the day I got the letter. The appointment was about two weeks later. I was also informed in the letter that I would be informed within 21 working days of the date, time, and location of the Departmental Review.

After having the Interlock installed, I received a letter about the Departmental Review about three weeks later informing me it would be in about three weeks. Then, five days before the hearing I received a letter stating the hearing had been postponed for two weeks. No reason was given. Actually, it was just another letter exactly as the first one just stating another date and time. Same location though.

Finally, the day came and I proceeded down to the licensing center. I got there about 10 minutes before my stated time. The place was packed with people getting licenses, getting photos, taking tests. I actually had to look around until I saw the "Departmental Review Hearings" sign. It was a relief. I just got into the area that said to have a seat until called, when a man came out of a door and called my name. What luck?

He instructed me to come inside a room and he needed to ask some questions and see my identification. He looked over my identification. The letter said bring one form of the following, which then was proceeded by three groups of ID. I took no chances and brought one from each group- my photo ID, my birth certificate, my social security card, and my voter registration card.

He looked them over, asked some basic questions and then explained how the probationary license worked. He also gave me forms showing the points system and how to fill out a form if I wanted to add a new car, request additional or different driving hours, renew the probationary license, etc. The whole process took about 10 minutes.

I was then giving a camera card, as well as a paper that was attached to the top - which I would have to keep and show law enforcement if stopped. It just showed the vehicle I was allowed to drive and the hours allowed to drive. The default hours are 6 am to 7 pm, which work great for me.

He then led me to the desk where people would pick up a paper ticket with a number to get their picture taken. I was number 105 and at the time the three numbers at the camera stations were 70, 71, and 72. I had a little bit of a wait.

After about an hour of waiting I had my new probationary license for the state of Pennsylvania. I was truly excited. I finally got home and couldn't wait to take a drive for the first time in nearly 8 years.

Of course something had to go wrong, the day was going too smoothly. I had a flat tire. So another hour later and I was out the door. I cruised through the countryside and finally stopped at a local mini mart.

I had to play the Powerball. After all, this 20 year old truck I'm allowed to drive might not make it a full year.

Feel free to comment or ask any questions. The reason I wrote this was I couldn't find much information on the process of getting a probationary license in Pennsylvania and how it worked. So, I hope this helped you or maybe someone you know.

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Geo Metro No Headlights Fix

Geo Metro No Headlights Fix Including Dimmer Switch Problem


I have a 1997 Geo Metro and it's a great car. A three cylinder 1.0 L engine that gets around 40mpg. These days with the price of gas, I can't see driving around without my Metro.

The car is old and has had a few problems here and there but nothing major. When I bought the car one of the first things I noticed was that it had no working headlights. It did have parking lights and the daytime running lamps worked. So, it could be driven at nights but the daytime running lamps are not as bright as the functioning head lights. I knew this had to be fixed. I was somewhat lucky in the fact that the previous owner also included a Chilton's book that included the wiring diagram. Fixing the headlights actually took about 5 minutes.

I also noticed I had another problem. The dimmer switch for the lights didn't work either. I could push the switch forward to flash the high beams but that was it.

So here is the fix to repair the headlights on a Geo Metro. You are really in luck since I also took pictures.

Haynes Chevrolet Sprint Geo & Chevrolet Metro 1985-2001 (Haynes Manuals)

From what I read this is a common problems with Geo Metros, yet easy enough to fix.

You will need to be able to get underneath the dash and look up. Right under the steering column. You will need to be able to look up and find the wiring and plug coming down from the steering column. Here, you will find a plug that comes apart. One end goes up your steering column to the light switch and the other end, or other plug goes to your fuse panel or fuse box.

In my case, it was easy to tell I had the right wires due to the plastic plug piece showing a brownish burnt color from the outside of the plug. Here is a picture.

See the brownish burn marks indicating we have a bad connection. The left side of the plug goes back to the fuse panel. The right or top of the plug goes up the steering column.

Another view showing where two wires - one for the headlights, the other for the dimmer switch - burned out on my Geo Metro.

A view shwing the location of the plug. Nearly directly under the steering column

Okay. Now what wires are what. On this 1997 Geo Metro, the headlight switch for what turns on the headlights is a red wire with a white stripe that comes down the steering column into the plug. This then connects to a red wire with a white stripe on the other end of the plug which goes back to the fuse panel.

For the dimmer switch, the wire coming from the switch down the steering column is a white wire with a black stripe that goes into the plug and meets, on the other end of the plug, a brown wire with a white strip that then goes back to the fuse panel.

All I did was clip the corresponding wires and then uses two wire connectors and crimped them on the ends. An easy 5 minute fix. It great having nice, bright functioning headlights again. Here are some more photos that may help with the repair.

A closer photo showing the headlight switch wire(red with a white stripe) and the dimmer switch wire(white with a black stripe) coming down from the steering colum. 1997 Geo Metro

   Stereo Wire Harness Geo Metro 95 96 97 1997 (car radio wiring installation parts)

Toothache Home Remedies and Pain Relief

The Ultimate Toothache Remedy: Prevent Tooth Decay, Avoid Gum Disease, Gingivitis, Periodontal Disease, and Get Temporary Pain Relief With Safe Toothache Remedies

Toothache Home Remedies and Pain Relief

So, do you have a toothache? Are you looking for a home remedy? More importantly, you probably need some pain relief?

Well, I just got over a tooth abscess that lasted four days. In my case this wasn't the first abscess for the same tooth. This was about the third time. So, having some experience with a toothache and the pain, I know some home remedies that worked for me.

Before I start, I would like to tell you that just like I read, a tooth abscess will come back and it will be worse each time. This is the last time for me. If I have to get a part time job to pay for the dental work I will.

The first two times this tooth got an abscess the pain and dealing with it lasted until the next day at the most. I did some research the first time and went with the salt and baking soda remedy. It's real simple. Mix equal parts of salt and baking soda. That is baking soda I said. I saw some other people saying they tried it with baking powder. No. That is not the same thing as baking soda. When you mix the two together, place the mixture on something flat - a plate, saucer, table, whatever. Now take a cotton ball, cheesecloth, or gauze and make it wet. Then dip it in the mixture and place over the area of the abscess between the cheek and the gum.

The first two times I did this the pus reared it head and was leaking within a few hours. You will know when the pus has ruptured. I has a horrible taste and smells bad. You need to spit this out immediately. Do not swallow it. It is a toxin or poison and needs to be spit out.

Once the pus ruptures, try using the muscles in your mouth and jaw to push out some more of the pus. Don't try to hard, just slight pressure. You could also put some light force against the area with your hand by the jaw area. Again, don't over do it.

From experience, I use a flashlight to look into my mouth and see if the pus is about done draining visually. Once I feel that it is, it's time for rinsing the mouth out. I put some table salt into a glass, add some warm water and swish it around my mouth for about 3 minutes. Again, spit it out. It's no time to be drinking refreshing salt water.

You can now repeat the process. One thing that you should have noticed is instant relief. You should have no pain or nearly no pain and the pressure is gone. Some swelling may still be evident. If you are lucky, that may be gone in a few hours.

Alright! Now you are good to go. Not so fast. Even though you feel much better and think the ordeal is over it really isn't. The above method is for TEMPORARY RELIEF. You see, that bacteria that causes the abscess most likely is still present. You may not feel it or see it but there is a good chance it is still somewhere in that tooth. The only way to be sure your body is clear of the agonizing bacteria will be through the use of antibiotics. Even with the use of antibiotics, you will still need to see a dentist for care. There is a reason you got an abscess in the first place - cracked tooth, cavity, a bad root canal.

A dentist will usually give you two options from an abscess. You can have the tooth extracted or you can have a root canal. If you already had a fancy root canal then the next option will be extraction. I never had a root canal and never will. I heard enough people talk about having them and they always seemed to have trouble and had to go back. That's just my opinion. Maybe a root canal is for you.

Anyway, back to some home remedies for toothaches. This last time I found a new way of extracting the pus. Why. when the salt and baking powder worked great the two times before? Well, I will tell you. This time the abscess was very stubborn. It took a full day for the abscess to come to a head. Then, when it finally burst. It only drained partially. To me it felt like maybe only a third came out. So, by reapplying the salt and baking soda method, my cheek and gum were starting to get quite raw and feeling like sand paper. I had to find another method.

Tea Bags? Yes. A tea bag will draw pus out too. You just need a standard tea bag. You could use black tea. I only had green tea and it worked just fine. Now if you try to take the bad and put it between the affected area and your cheek you will notice it isn't comfortable. Here is what to do.

Take the bad and cut it in the middle. Be sure not to let the tea spill out all over the place.Most bags have a seam in the middle. Looking at it, the bad looks like it has two sides. Now hold the bag at one lower corner and pour out some tea. Try to pour it so the tea comes out evenly from each sac. Now level it off and look at the amount of tea left. We wont to get it down to about 3/16 to a 1/4 inch evenly. When you get to that level, stop and fold over the top of the bag to one side. The area that is exposed - shows tea through the bag - put that on the affected area with the tea showing side against the abscess. Leave it there for about an hour and then check it out. You should have drawn out some put. The bag will most likely look real gross and have a good amount of pus on it.

Remember I said before that without a doubt you need antibiotics? Well, its still true. Here is the thing. If you have insurance, a good doctor, or time for the emergency room, you will be just fine. At the first hint of an abscess you should go get checked out by an emergency doctor or hopefully your family doctor. They should easily give you antibiotics and if you are lucky a good pain killer like Vicodin or Percocet. If you are lucky enough to be in this situation. Then good for you and I wish you a speedy recovery. If these are not your circumstances and you need antibiotics but don't have insurance or the money to see a doctor try this.

Just do a search for amoxicillin+for+fish . Yes! You can just click on that link. See, here in the United States, you need a prescription to buy antibiotics. However, you need anything to buy antibiotics for fish, cats, dogs, horses, or any pet. You will have to know what antibiotics you can take. If you are allergic to penicillin, then you can't use amoxicillin.  Anyway. this is a perfectly legal way to obtain antibiotics. Did you know that this is a well known secret in the military. What is mean is sometimes young people in the military have "too good of a night" and find out later they caught more than a hangover that night. So, to avoid having an STD on their military medical history, they go to the pet store.

A recommended dosage for amoxicillin is 750 mg daily for 10 day. I get the 250 mg capsules and take them 3 times a day for 10 days. Again, you need to take the dosage for 10 days to be sure you eradicated the bacteria.

Pain relief I used Aleve and Motrin. They worked OK for me. Not the best. I did try the whole cloves. You just crush the cloves and put them against the affected area. I took a tea bad, emptied it, and then put the crushed cloves in it. It did ok for me too. I didn't knock out the pain totally, but it did know out the throbbing, jackhammer type of pain that I had. Cayenne pepper is another known home remedy for pain, but I didn't have any so I don't know how well it works.

You could try Ambesol, but that just numbed the gum for me. It didn't do anything for the actual abscess pain. I had a feeling it wouldn't. It does work for smaller toothaches like those caused by a cavity where you can get the Ambesol to the nerve that is exposed from the tooth.

Some other things that come to mind about a tooth abscess for me: Hot liquids were hell. I love coffee but learned to do without for four days. I also ate a good amount of garlic. Garlic is a good natural antibiotic. I ate three cloves a day. Ice bags did help for the swelling on the face. I used them sparingly and put them on my face for about 15 minutes at a time.

Eating was also difficult. An abscess causes the tooth to rise slightly and gives an improper bite. I tried to stay will foods that were soft and easy to chew. Its also hard to just use one side of the mouth to chew. After eating, I would rinse out my mouth with warm salt water. I didn't need any more food particles going into the area that caused the abscess in the first place.

Oh! I almost forgot. You can take garlic and put it against the abscessed area. This helps kill the bacteria. I must warn you though, it will burn a good 10 minutes.

Well, that is about it. If you can get to a dentist at the first sign of an abscess, by all means do it. As much as these home remedies can help for temporary relief of an abscess, nothing can take the place of good quality dental care by a great dentist. An abscess if not something to mess around with. It can lead to all types of problems including but not limited to death and septic shock.

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