Removing wisdom teeth - general or not? I am still breastfeeding

[almadianna]

So I need to get two wisdom teeth out. They are not impacted they just need out before they get that way.

I am still nursing my almost 1 year old.

Most of the people that I know that have had wisdom teeth out say that it is awful and that I should get general. I dont want to. Is it necessary? Will the aftercare be worse if I dont?

Also, wisdom teeth aftercare... anything that I should do/avoid? I was thinking of taking arnica before the surgery and trying to make sure that I take teas that are good for making sure my body can heal better/faster. Any other suggestions?

Thank you!

[texmati]

I got my wisdom teeth out without general. I think i had Novocaine? I remember at the time thinking everything was really funny-- I was singing along with the music, trying to talk to my bf on the phone during the removal.

I had horrible nightmares about it afterwords, and a long recovery. DH got his wisdom teeth out w/general, I think, and had a much easier recovery-- just anecdotal, i don't know if means anything.

[mysticmomma]

Not impacted, I'd probably try just local, with nitrous as a back up if possible. You can always go back and do general if needed. Drugs are fine for BF and other than soft foods, you should be fine.

[lightheart]

I have had 3 of my 4 wisdom teeth out, 2 of them were with Novocaine while I was still in high-school, I had it done at lunch and went back to school afterward (me and my crazy perfect attendance).

The 3rd one out I had gas with - I was older, had a real job with insurance

My advise would be to follow what the doctor says about no straws and general care, my brother had a dry socket from a regular molar and that was not fun.

Check with your dentist then over in breastfeeding if you haven't already on the the specific drugs he would use if he did have to give you something really strong partway through the procedure, if that happened you would probably be a little loopy after you came home and that's not the time to be checking 'Should I, or shouldn't I be breastfeeding.'

[Doodlebugsmom]

I had mine removed under general when I was bfing dd. I only had them on top, one was impacted. It was a snap. From when I went back to the room to when I was in the recovery room was about 15 minutes. We were at the office for less than an hour total. We went grocery shopping after and I felt completely normal. I used ice-packs on my outer jaws a lot that first day. I never had any pain or discomfort. Never even had to take Tylenol or Motrin. It was the easiest and best dental experience I've ever had. The surgeon told me that he "had" to tell me to pump and dump for 12 hours after the general, but told me that he believed it was absolutely fine to bf dd when I felt I could safely hold her. That was about an hour after the procedure. No problems at all! Good luck!

[almadianna]

wow doodlebugs, who was your surgeon!! that sounds pretty awesome.

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by almadianna

wow doodlebugs, who was your surgeon!! that sounds pretty awesome.

Dr. James Bryant in Morgantown, WV. I'm a total dental-phobe too, and he put me at ease so much that I didn't have one ounce of anxiety when he came into the room.

[Evergreen]

I'm getting mine out August 12. I am definitely going under general and I am breastfeeding. They asked if I was pregnant but didn't say anything about nursing and I didn't think to ask. I will probably be nurse my dd that day but it wont be til about 12 hours after surgery and she is almost three.

[mysticmomma]

come on here and ask about the drugs. Most dentists (and even doctors) have little knowledge about what is safe. You almost never need to pump and dump (especially for anesthetics). We've got lots of resources to help you make a decision for yourself.

[alinajoy]

So here's my wisdom tooth experience for what it's worth!

Dentists FREAK ME OUT to begin with. I honestly did not think I would be able to cope with having wisdom tooth surgery while awake. Just thinking about it made me want to have panic attack. While I was sitting in the chair waiting for the dentist to come in so they could give me the general I started crying. It is just a really uncomfortable experience for me in every way. <shudder>

I didn't have insurance unfortunately, general is definitely more expensive than local anesthesia. I went to a dental surgeon for a general to remove two top wisdom teeth (never had bottom ones). My recovery was great, I really didn't have any pain at all.

If I could do it over again I would absolutely go to a dental surgeon for a general. I think it depends on the individual though.

Also, the bottom wisdom teeth are supposed to be much more difficult than top ones. I suppose that also contributed to my quick recovery since I only had the top ones.