Breastfeeding and Wisdom Teeth

[elanorh]

Hoping someone here has BTDT advice for me....

When I had my last dental appointment I was pregnant with SJ and the dentist told me that since a couple of my wisdom teeth have broken the surface, we'll need to remove them all (for fear of them becoming infected). He said we'd need to wait 'til SJ was born though.

So, my appointment is tomorrow and I can feel that one of the teeth is really moving down - and half of it is above my back molar! : So I don't think he's going to buy the "I'll be either pregnant or breastfeeding for the next six years I hope, so why don't we wait 'til that's done" argument.

I know one of his hygienists is pro-extended bf so am hoping that means something ... but what do I need to know about getting wisdom teeth removed safely while breastfeeding? I'm dreading this. I don't want to pump and dump, and don't want to have to pump ahead (don't want to have to teach SJ to use a bottle just for this either).

eta:
This is a standard appointment, not wisdom teeth removal, just to clarify.

[vxclayborn]

My BIL is an oral surgeon and I asked him this recently when I was in the same boat! He said if they are really out there (not still in the bone? Impacted?) most people get by on Motrin during recovery. So, I have chose to postpone until mine are there. Of course, you will have to pump and dump for a while after from the meds given during the procedure.

[heldt123]

Why would they become infected?

I had a wisdom tooth come through when I was nursing my older son, and now I've got one breaking the surface again. The dentist never said anything about my first tooth.

[ashleyhaugh]

i had motrin and percoset after mine we out, but i only took the percoset once or twice... i only had 2 taken out (and im a freak, i only have 3, lol) and they we already broke through part way, and they just did the local, i wasnt knocked out. mine we getting infected though, because part of one was underneath my back molar and couldnt come all the way through, and there was a piece of skin still partway over it, and the dentist said they were getting infeceted because stuff was getting caught under the skin and couldnt get out. min had been bothering me for a long time on and off though- when they were getting infected i found out- but im a scaredy cat who put off going to the dentist about it, lol, because everyone told me you have to be knocked out for that

[elanorh]

:

(In terms of why to get them removed once they're breaking through) - the dentist said that it's so hard to keep them clean it can lead to an infection back there.

My mouth is really sensitive - but if I could just have a local, I wouldn't have to pump and dump would I? Just pump for a few feedings' worth if that would be needed?

[sedalbj]

i had 2 taken out while BFing DD. one had broken thru, one hadn't. the one that was still under the surface got infected so it had to come out. I was nervous about the pain and procedure etc (i got my other 2 out many years ago and was put under and was puking after), so i let the dentist give me a light sedative. but i can totally say 100% that getting wisdom teeth out w/o any sedative is totally doable, i was very close to wide awake, the sedative was so light i remember everything. as long as you aren't someone who is freaked out by dental procedures. it was uncomfortable to have your mouth propped open that far (make sure your lips aren't dry) but it didn't last long at all and the novacaine injection at the site was more than enough to not feel anything. i was so nervous about the drugs and bfing, but i totally wish i had just skipped the sedative and it would have been one less thing to worry about. for pain meds i took motrin, again, some pain but totally worth not having to worry about prescription drugs and bfing.

[RootSnort]

Let us know how the appointment goes. If you can get a list of meds that he would like to use, I can find out how long you may need to delay BFing. Some drugs are much shorter-acting than others.

As far as local anesthesia goes, you should be OK, because local is supposed to mostly stay where you put it until it wears off.

Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is OK, because it has such a short half-life. I just don't know if that is going to bve enough for your specific procedure. I had mine out in a hospital under general anesthesia, but that was 22 years ago.

IF you do go to a hospital setting, propafol is safe for general, but it's not something they are likely to use in an office setting.

[Mommy Kahdib]

I had all four of mine removed and I hated the way the percocet made me feel so I just got by on Advil and that wasn't because I was nursing, I was in HS...so I think you could do it...you'll just have to figure out how to do the actual surgery time and see if the anesthesia would be a problem?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

You wouldnt need to pump and dump at all if a local is used even if they give you gas and put you under you still wouldnt need to pump and dump. Kellymom.com has information on dental work and bfing.

Here is the direct link http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/dentalwork.html

Most medications used for oral and IV sedation are considered compatible with breastfeeding.

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation is also considered to be compatible with breastfeeding

A mother who has wisdom tooth surgery should not need to interrupt breastfeeding at all (except during the surgery, of course). To minimize baby's exposure (and increase mom's comfort), mom can nurse just before she goes in for the procedure. There is no need to wait on breastfeeding afterwards or to pump and dump -- mom can nurse as soon as she feels alert enough to hold baby.

And here is the link to the safe meds you can take for pain after the work is done. http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/pain-meds.html

Azapropazone (Rheumox)
Butorphanol (Stadol)
Codeine
(in Tylenol #3, #4)
Meperidine (Demerol)
Morphine (Duramorph, Infumorph, Epimorph, MS Contin)

that is just a few of the safe pain meds.

So you can keep right on nursing no worries.

[Mommy Kahdib]

I had all four of mine removed and I hated the way the percocet made me feel so I just got by on Advil and that wasn't because I was nursing, I was in HS...so I think you could do it...you'll just have to figure out how to do the actual surgery time and see if the anesthesia would be a problem?

[angelcat]

Well, for my wisdom teeth, I had no sedative, and only took Tylenol #3 for pain.

So, that would be fine. (I know cause I also took Tylenol #3 after my c-section).

[Ravin]

Well, my bottom ones were removed when I was 18 in the Navy. They left the top ones because they said they'd never move. At my discharge physical they did a quick check and recommended removing them. I declined since I didn't want to hang around in San Diego for several extra days rather than going on terminal leave.

That was in Nov. 2001. My top wisdom teeth have since broken through and descended. They're a little crooked, facing a bit outward, but haven't given me any trouble/pain. I haven't been to a dentist since my discharge physical, and expect they'd give me the same line.

The way I figure it, if I get cavities and pain, I'll have them yanked. If they don't hurt, I'm not going to spend a lot of money and do something drastic as a just in case. I MIGHT consider it at some point after DD weans, before TTC the next one, IF I have insurance that'll cover it...

I got through my first wisdom tooth extraction on local anesthesia with tylenol-3 and motrin after. Standard military dentistry, pheh.

Anyway, if they let me nurse my newborn on percocet after a c-sec, I don't think I'd stress too much over local anesthetic and pain meds if you do decide to get them pulled.

[intorainbowz]

*

[elanorh]

Well -
The dentist says I don't have them on the bottom and that the bottom ones are the ones most likely to cause trouble when being removed (difficulty etc.). He doesn't see any reason I couldn't do it with just local anaesthetic. Hurray!

He said to get them removed sometime this spring or summer. So the plan is to wait 'til SJ's taking in some solids, and that way if I'm out of reach for longer than planned, she can have some applesauce or something and I won't need to pump ahead and try to get her used to a bottle or cup. But it sounds like it wouldn't probably take that long anyway.

Now we'll just need to coordinate it for a time that my Mom can come down (or one of my sisters) to help take care of things for a few days afterwards since I know I'll be miserable for a couple days at least. You know, someone who can play with big sister. And wash my dishes!

Here's hoping my diet isn't restricted at all by then (right now I'm dairy/soy/egg/peanut/treenut/fish/shellfish free, and free of legumes) - because then the liquid diet would be more manageable.

Did the pain during recovery affect anyone's supply?

[heldt123]

I don't think the pain would affect supply.

I have never had wisdom teeth pulled, but I have had three other teeth pulled. The after pain wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. I think I only took a couple of the pain pills they prescribed for me...just didn't need them. I suppose wisdom teeth are a different situation, though.

I don't know how gas affects milk supply, but I have had teeth pulled both with and without gas. I would never do it without gas again, personally.

Banana fruit (with no seeds) smoothies are great to sip afterwards.

I hope everything goes well for you.