Worried about losing my wisdom!

Toothsmith

Daisy wrote:

Can any of the dentists on here please advise me about my gum? I had all 4 wisdom teeth removed when I was 13. (I'm now 32) Where they should be is a gap which I can feel with my tongue. On the bottom row though on one side, part of the gum seems to be at the same level as the tooth next to it and once in a while it (the gum) gets sore and feels like it's overlapping the tooth. I looked in the mirror and it looks like a soft lump. It's now not sore anymore and is going down a bit. This happens only once in a while (like once every 2 years) so it doesn't concern me but I just wondered what it could be?

I would suggest the best thing here Daisy is to go and see your dentist when it happens.

13 seems very young to have wisdom teeth out, and my best guess here is that it was not wisdom teeth. They would only be half formed in your gum at 13.

I can't really guess at what happened or why or what is happening now.

Toothsmith

jezza1O1 wrote:

interesting thread to read, nice 1 dentists! Got a couple of wisdom through that seem ok but there is talk of removal due to overlapping gum (had 2 infections in 9 years) - cant that be just sliced off?! Actually its getting much smaller in time...

Thing that scares me most in the thought of GA - sounds horrible to me so reassuring to hear you can have it done awake. Fortunately never been too bothered by people rooting around my mouth!!

If it seems to be getting smaller, it might go away eventually. How old are you? If you're older than 30, and it hasn't gone by now, it probably won't. 2 infections in 9 years isn't many. If that is the only reason for their removal, then it might be OK to leave them. Discuss it more with your dentist.

I think I'm right in saying that the reason the 'flap' isn't cut off is that it just grows back again! Strange but true (I think. That's just a hazy memory from my training - all I know is that you don't just 'cut it off'!!) Prehaps if Pester is looking in he could confirm that?

You sound like you should be fine with the local anaesthetic option if you do need it out though.

gizmos

Just stumbled across this thread and if brought bac memories.

I had two of my wisdom teeth earlier this year (aged 30), I had no problems at all.

Was extremely nervous when i went to the hospital. came round after the anaesthetic and was groggy but no pain. Stayed in the hospital for a couple of hours sippin water and feeling not too bad. at this point I hadnt seen my face and had visions of a grapefruit sized swelling - nothing at all and no bruising and surprisingly no bleed.

The only problem was not eating - weetabix were a good friend those first few days.

No swelling or bleed over the coming days though a soft food diet was a must for at least a week. Hey it was a good diet to go on before your hols - I felt really healthy and fit and indeed lost some fat (but not weight!!).

Might have to have the other two out next year but we are waiting to see

pug_in_a_bed

I know this is pretty old but I thought I woudl just update it a bit.
A cancellation came up so I am giong to the hospital on the 26th Jan. Yikes!

But...I was worried all over again as I was told over the phone it was to be with a local not general after all (the consultant told me I'd be asleep).

So I waited for the letter which said the same adn called just in case, and they confirmed that I would be awake, and that a double slot has been booked for me. The hospital thought mayeb it could be because there is higher grade dental surgeon whatsit going to be doing the procdeure, but that was the only explanation they could think of as to why I am now being told I will be awake.

I'm not sure why this has changed, but I feel better about being awake, although I was under the impression it was a bit of a nightmare procedure to do on someone who is awake....? I'm not looking forward to it but I don't feel like having a panic attack every time I think about it now
:eek:

To recap, I have one tooth on the top left which has come through quite a bit.

The ones on the bottom have barely come through but i can feel a little tiny bit of each.

Any thoughts?

Toothsmith

The top one will be a doddle. Like shelling peas - especially when they've come through too far.

Lower one will be a bit more of a dig, but to a top Oral Surgeon, it's like filling the washer bottle to a F1 Grand Prix pit engineer!!

Lie back and think of England dear - you'll be fine!

sue67

Hi, was just reading through this thread as i've got an upper impacted wisdom tooth being taken out tomorrow with sedation. I'v had trouble with this tooth for about three years pain soreness ect. Now my mouth won't open properly, so I knew the time had come to get it sorted. My worry is how will the dentist open my mouth wide enough to get to the tooth. Won't my jaw break if they try to force it open. My stomach is churning just thinking about it. The tooth is partly though. Any information would be much appreiated.

Teerah

Hi sue67, try not to worry too much, top wisdom teeth are much easier to extract than lower ones. As for not being able to fully open, again dont worry. To get at the tooth the dentist will actually not want you to open fully as it actually lessens the amount of access to the tooth so they will probably get you to open part way and possibly move your jaw to the side that the extraction is on as this will give them the room they need!

Good luck

sue67

Hi Teerah,
Thanks for the reasurance. One other question i forgot to ask is will I get full mobility back in my jaw once the tooth is removed, and the gum has had a chance to heal?
Anyway must go and have some rescue remedy and some sleep. I'm expecting pain so that anything less will be a bonus. The waiting is the worse thing. Must go now. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks Sue

Teerah

Yes everything will get back to normal once the tooth is removed as this is what has caused the inflammation and infection leading to you being unable to fully open. It will take a little while to resolve but as long as you follow the post-operative instructions which your dentist will give you this will happen as soon as possible, Hope all went well today!

sue67

All went really well Teerah. Can't feel any pain not even the dull ache they said might be present. No pain killers needed either. Can't believe its been taken, keep wanting to check with my tounge, but know I mustn't. Had extraction about 2.30. So looks like I have been very lucky. It made a big difference having this forum and people like you to reassure us nervous money savers.