Wisdom teeth

jesster_2

For ANYONE wondering whether to brave having their wisdom teeth out, I say do it! I had problems with both my lower wisdom teeth only being half out and getting infected, which was agony. I can remember crying with pain, and I promise I'm not a wuss. Add to that that the antibiotics that you're often given for them (because the infection isn't exposed to oxygen) can make you feel hideous (metranidazole): if i could have wrenched them out myself I would have done!

Once the dentist realised I'd had 3 'episodes' within the past year she was happy to refer me... and it was brilliant. I'd heard all the scare stories about people waking up with bruises all over their chests where surgeons had had to lean on them, looking like a hamster for weeks, not being able to eat for just as long...

I was a bit chicken, thinking I don't care if they kneel on my chest to do it so long as i'm not awake to see it, so I had a general anaesthetic.

I was waiting for the pain to kick in once I'd woken up.. but there wasn't any - hardly any swelling either. i was back at work within two days, and I talk for a living. I know I had an easier time of it than most, but I can't tell you the relief.

shampain

I sympathise with the OP i am having the same problem apart from mine is kinda swollen up on the gum bit on the inner side of my moth on the side of the tooth coming through... if anyone understood that! Im trying mouthwashes and painkillers! Its hurting me and affecting my eating but its gonna have to get a hell of a lot worse before i will go to the dentist!! Im absolutly terrified... i know people who have had operations will hate me saying this but i would sooner have an op rather than go to the dentist! Sorry for rambling... hope your all feeling a little better anyway...im 21 btw!

Toothsmith

shampain wrote:

Its hurting me and affecting my eating but its gonna have to get a hell of a lot worse before i will go to the dentist!!

Like your throat swelling up to the point where you can't breath???

Or Blood poisoning??

CharleneUK

I've just had my appointment through for June (!) as my wisdom tooth became so infected a few weeks ago the area swelled up to the size of a large grape and I could barely swallow.

I love the story jesster posted, if anyone else has any positive stories please share. I'm having all four and absolutely terrified!!

jesster_2

seriously charleneUK, the entire worst bit of the whole taking out process was waking up hungry, because I'd not eaten the night before cus of the anaesthetic, and smelling the toast that all the other people in the ward were being given for breakfast... and not being able to eat any because I had a mouth full of tampons! Don't be scared, if you have it under general it's much much LESS uncomfortable or scary than having a filling or anything like that!

jesster_2

i tell you what, if it helps.. i was just thinking about all things wisdom teeth and reckon that if a problem kicked off with my upper ones (which have never put in an appearance) the thing i'd be most scared of would be having to go through 3 'episodes' before they'd refer me to have them taken out. That's FAR worse. I think I'd be inclined to lie about the number of episodes so I could try to get them out quicker!

sundin13

Positive stories from me too - I procrastinated seven years, with a mouth that often tasted vile, and occasional bouts of infection causing awful pain. All because I was scared of having an operation (especially with a local anaesthetic).

Finally got round to doing it - and it wasn't a problem. The anaesthetic and the op were fine. I did get a bit of an infection after, but it was no worse than the infections I'd got from the teeth themselves, and the feeling of them not being there is just wonderful.

Go for it.....

quickstepqueen

I'd had similar problems to OP. Lower wisdom kept breaking through the skin, the skin would then regrow over the top, skin breaks again then infection. As my other wisdom teeth were also trying to cut through (though weren't having too many problems with these) my dentist to my utter surprise referred me to the hospital to have all 4 out at once.

Boy, oh boy was I relieved (I know, but dentists scare the hell out of me just for check-ups so being under general anaesthetic was very bearable.) Anyway, operation was a great success, had no bruising at all, only some very mild swelling. The worst things were a) not being able to have a cuppa first thing before the op, and then b)when I came round from the operation they wouldn't let me home until I'd eaten a sandwich !!!!!!

Unfortunately I'm now getting some mild toothache in an unrelated tooth. The emergency dentist I saw before xmas said that the toothache can last a few weeks and then disappear which it did, but that if it didn't, the nerve would probably have to be removed. Am absolutely dreading it if this has to happen. Any tips on staying calm and getting through local anaesthetic would be appreciated because I panic everytime I get the mildest toothache now.

shampain

Toothsmith wrote:

Like your throat swelling up to the point where you can't breath???

Or Blood poisoning??

Thats totally mature coming from an actual dentist... who should understand when people are anxious about visiting them...also that is just what you need to hear when you are already panicing. Of course if my throat was swelling up and i had symptoms of blood poisoning i would just sit here and take a couple more neurofen :rolleyes:

Toothsmith

shampain wrote:

Thats totally mature coming from an actual dentist... who should understand when people are anxious about visiting them...also that is just what you need to hear when you are already panicing. Of course if my throat was swelling up and i had symptoms of blood poisoning i would just sit here and take a couple more neurofen :rolleyes:

I think you'd be surprised just how quickly these things can deteriorate.

I understand fully how anxious some people can be. Once they're in the practice I can do wonders! Until they get there though the best I can do is to try and pop their little bubble of denial.

The dentist will not hoik out your wisdom teeth as soon as you walk through the door. Unless they're really simple ones, he probably won't touch them at all, but he's the one who will refer you to the hospital.

If you go to the hospital it will be just like an operation - and you say you don't mind that.

BUT Step one is to get yourself referred, and that won't happen until you get to a dentist.

So get there!!!!!

Just because it's sore doesn't even mean that it will need to come out. You are still at an age where they are coming through, and it might just be 'teething trouble'.

You won't know until you get it checked out.