Wisdom teeth - Page 3

[heartmama]

Smilemomma, thanks for responding.

The dentist said that the gums were swollen and the swelling had spread, but that from the x rays, the tooth itself was perfectly fine (no decay)and apparently, no localized absess around it. He said the infection had started in the gums, not the tooth, so that is why he referred to it as a "perfectly healthy" tooth. I have the impression that he thought clearing up this gum infection should be done before removing the tooth, so it is interesting to read the opposite view here!

They gave him a prescription for pain, but the pill just makes him sleepy...I can't say it really takes the pain away. He has also been using hot tea's and hot salt water to soak on the area, and alternating with ice water.

I appreciate your suggestions and will tell that to dh. We might even have some Hylands still around from when ds was a baby.

***Off topic***I would love to read the thread on irrigation. I use hydrogen peroxide on a q tip to clean around my partially hidden wisdom teeth when the gums seem irritated. I have an intense and irrational fear of dental work (it isn't the pain, ds was a breech homebirth with no meds). I have never been able to overcome it, and even cleanings are so terrifying for me that I feel completely drained afterwards. At this point I could not cope with having my wisdom teeth out, even if sedated. In fact, the idea of being sedated adds to my overall fear of dying from dental work. It is ridiculous, I know, but completely real to me that it could happen. I have been looking for ways to take care of them and minimize potential infection.

Luckily dh is not frightened of dental work, and is comfortable having his tooth removed if it comes to that.

Thanks for your response...

Heartmama

[Smilemomma]

[Arduinna]

I totally agree with the dentist regarding antibiotics first. There is a proven link between dental infections and heart disease. The purpose of getting rid of the infection first is so that it reduces the chance of the bacteria from the infection getting into the blood stream and traveling to the heart and causing problems there. My husband had a triple bypass six years ago and they always to this prior to serious dental work just to be safe. Many dentists are also doing it as a safety precaution as I mentioned above even if there isn't a history of heart disease.

I can relate to how both of you feel about dentist. I don't like them at all after having serious dental work as a kid. I know I have a tooth that will be pulled because I will not have a root canal (BTDT). I guess if depends on how much your Dh doesn't want it to happen again.

[Smilemomma]

Arduinna, I think that you are referring to premedication, or what is referred to as SBE coverage (subacute bacterial endocarditis). This is reserved for those with heart defects/valve replacements, and also for those with artificial joints. The bacteria move to the vulnerable sites; this does not occur in normal, healthy hearts.

It is also getting some scrutiny (and the regimen has been changed at least 3 times fairly recently) as recent studies have shown more problems from the premed than from SBE. No dentist would prescribe this as a "safety precaution" in someone with a healthy heart.

There's also a thread on this in the archives, as well as a link to the American Heart Association info.

Just wanted to clarify.

[heartmama]

Just an update...

I think the antibiotic is finally taking hold. Dh still felt bad this morning, but by this afternoon the swelling has gone down, and he is talking/chewing with less pain. There is still some very sharp pain, in his cheekbone actually :

What an ordeal! I hope it is finally behind us...

Smilemomma, thanks for your help. Arduinna and Etoile I appreciate your adding to this as well. My own terror at having dental work done made it SOOOO hard to not freak out over what dh was going through.

Still breathing deeply....

Heartmama

[Arduinna]

Smilemama~ Your probably right, I've never heard our dentist use that name, but I do know that it is premedication. DH usually takes it for at least a few days (can't remember as it's been awhile since he had to do this) before his extractions ect.

Heartmama, I'm glad hubby is feeling a bit better. I sometimes think it's harder when they are sick than the kids, lol. At least mine is a bigger baby, lol.

[TwilightDance]

Pregnant with a ragin' wisdom tooth

- i tired searching the archives- but no luck.... so here i go...
I am 32 weeks pregnant- and after all this time, my ONE REMAINING (and impacted) wisdom tooth decides to start acting up now... Ive had 3 past removals with the other ones- and each time it was horrible- the pain being so bad with all of them that I had to go to the ER at 3am and get some percocets it was so bad (before i had them removed-)--- obviously- Im not doing that now- Ive taken tylenol for two days in a row - i couldnt take the pain it hurt so bad----but I feel weird taking that stuff while pregnant....
and Im afraid of going to the dentist because i cant lie back in a chair for too long or get X-rays....
I saw your post about the Hylands teething tablets and picked up some just in case- but Im not sure about taking them versus the tylenol -
you see- i just came back from my latest midwife appt today- and being on public care- i get a different midwife every time---this one was rude, and not too keen on my vegetarianism- and told me tylenol was safer than plants- because they give it to little babies---- in my mind, that does not make tylenol safe-my own mother never had it in the house when we were little- she thought it did damage.....:
Id rather go with plants....
is the hylands teething tablets safe? Im totally healthy with no heart problems or hbp, or any diabetes....

any help would be totally awesome !
thank you!!!!

Much Love *
brianne

[Smilemomma]

Hi Brianne!

Did you do a search, or did you click on the dental archives board above? There is a thread there titled "wisdom teeth" that has lots of good, non-drug pain relief suggestions.

Another thread is "Pregnant/BF- what's safe" (something like that) that goes into drug safety issues pertaining to dentistry while pregnant or nursing. The Hyland's is fine! Being homeopathic, it has no side effects or problems with the baby.

Good luck to you!

[kel]

another wisdom tooth question

Smilemomma,

I read the wisdom tooth archives and learned a lot but I still have some questions.

I have just 2 wisdom teeth, on the bottom, and they have both partially erupted. A couple years ago when I was last at the dentist he told me that my wisdom teeth were impacted (they had not yet erupted at all at that point) and that they'd need to come out, but that I could wait a little longer to see if they'd move up more first to make it easier to get them out. So now that they have come through partially are they still impacted? I'm just wondering because from what I've read it seems like pulling impacted wisdom teeth is harder... Does it require a general anesthesia?

I am semi-freaked about getting this done, but I am trying to be calm about it. I haven't been in to the dentist since that last appt. 2 yrs. ago, and since then we've moved so I'm in the process of finding a good dentist here, but plan to make an appt. somewhere asap. I know I also have a bunch of cavities, that used to be mostly surface cavities, but I have at least one big one. Should I make the first appt. for just a check up/cleaning and then see what the denist says about cavities and wisdom teeth? Nothing is bothering me really, my wisdom teeth don't hurt, although I have been imagining that my teeth might be slowly being pushed a little crooked by them...but that could just be me obsessing!

Anyway, thanks for any info!!

xo - Kelly

[cumulus]

Hi:

I've still got all of mine but my daughter had hers pulled several years ago. They were "impacted" like yours and we waited for them to erupt hoping things might straighten themselves out in the meantime. I think our dentist said they might - but they didn't. So who knows. Your new dentist will probably want to x-ray your mouth and if they don't see anything - well. Our daughter had all 4 of hers pulled in under an hour in the office under intravenous valium. She was smiling sleepily when it was over.

[Smilemomma]

[rainsmom]

Dont wait too long! I waited till I was 35 and now my teeth are all shifting and I need braces! And I know its because of that. I got completely put out and was so glad not to know or hear or feel anything!

[3kaw]

MVP & GA & wisdom teeth & moreLOL

HI!

I've read throught the archives, LOTS of great info THANKS!!

I did still want to lay this out and get your opinion on it and hope it doesn't add to your work load.

History, I had a wisdom tooth pulled about 2 years ago. They were suppose to to the two top ones, didn't happen. We found out while pulling the first that my roots are twisted. (should they not have seen that in the x-rays????) They actually pointed in about 3 different directions. It was pure H@!! getting it pull under a local. Picture a cartoon with the dentist straddling the patient, the patients legs kicking, and you about got what this was like. The dentist said I would need to be put right out to any other. WELL DUH!! lol

Fast forward one year I'm prego with #3 and am diagnosised with MVP. I'm told to take antibiotics with all surgery and dental work. So i've avoided the dentist :

Now the second wisdom tooth, which should have been pulled 2 years ago is starting to fall apart. So now I need to face this and get something done.

After doing research I think I will take the precautionary antibiotics before the surgery(although for normal dental work I may reconcider. : still confused abou that one)
If I tell them I've take the anitiobtic before the visit will they give me more while I'm out??

I was wondering, I read a post about IV sedation. Is this common? Could it be an alternative to GA for me. I really don't want ANY memory of this again, as I'm fearing this one will be as difficult to take out. As well I don't have converage for an orthodontist, who I was told HAD to do the surgery.

I have a 'doula' who will be there with me and drive me to and from. Being as I will be *out of it* will they have a problem with her being in the room?? If they do, how can I get around it? I want her there!

You may not be able to answer this but would it be advisable to just get all three wisdom out at this time, to avoid going under again??

I also read all about the homeopaths for before and after, Love it!! I'm all over that!!

Thanks for any insight you can give.

[asherah]

Wisdom Q.. not in archives

Hi there.. I looked in the archives but couldn't find an answer to my question, so here it is:

Why is it necessary to have wisdom teeth pulled if they are not impacted and not bothering me?
My dentist (who I love) wants me to have them out... but they don't bother me and they are not impacted. So why is it necessary to pull them?

Thanks,
Asherah

[Aster]

Good question. I dont have an answer but thought i'd put in my 2cents worth

My dad always says his wisdom teeth are the best ones in his mouth lol.

DH still has his too (he's got a big mouth with lots of room for them )

I had to have mine removed bcz they were moving all of my other teeth around (i had to have 4 other permanent teeth removed for the same reason)

[Smilemomma]

[Smilemomma]

[asherah]

Thanks. Smilemomma!

[Smilemomma]

[Kalliesmama]

Smilemomma- wisdom teeth ??

The last time I saw my dentist (5 months ago) she did x-rays, told me that my wisdom teeth were impacted (I think that's what she said, the whole conversation was kind of confusing) and that it was my choice as to whether or not to have them removed. She said that she did not routinely recommend having them removed because they may never come in and/or cause problems and the procedure would be an unneccessary pain. However, she said if I do want to do it, I should do it while I am still young (I am 20). Needless to say I was left confused and unsure of what I should do, if anything! Is it normal to get wisdom teeth removed or is her stance on it pretty common? What exactly does it mean when they say that the teeth are impacted...does that just mean that they haven't come in yet? And how often do wisdom teeth not come in at all? I don't look forward to dental procedures but I wonder if they will come in and cause problems later. Any information you could give me (or anyone out there who knows about this, I suppose) about wisdom teeth would be a great help! Thanks so much!

~Jen