Posted: 1/12/2017 12:49:11 PM EDT
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Just a heads up I had a pain in my jaw, went to dentist
found out one of my wisdom teeth was being reabsorbed surgeon found infection when it was extracted, with possible bone infection!!!! Now on penicillin for 2 weeks!! If the "Event" happened I would be one of the 90%!! Maintenance is the key |
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Sorry about your troubles.
Regarding wisdom teeth, in Mel Tappan's book Tappan on Survival, he encouraged people to get their wisdom teeth removed. He asked the rhetorical question, and I am paraphrasing here, "Do you really want your significant other attempting to remove your wisdom teeth with a razor blade and a pair of vice grips by candle light ?" |
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I've been genetically blessed with absolutely terrible teeth, and learned a long time ago
to stay on top of things, regular exams etc. These kinds of problems can go way past wisdom teeth. I'm halfway through the process of having all my lower molars replaced with implants due to my issues. As always a good dentist is going to have a clue what needs to be done. My daughter was lucky enough to be born without them, while I had not only the wisdom teeth issues but most molars as well. The thing about teeth is that when the pain really starts, it can be truly debilitating and typically pain meds don't do a whole lot for it (though on that topic, out of all of them including potent opiates, the prescription dose of ibuprofen -- 800mg no more than 3X a day -- works best for me, and others have said the same. It sucks that dentists are expensive, but it's one of the short list of things I simply do not screw around with or cut corners on. |
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As a dentist, I find that most patients don't realize that teeth have a blood supply and nerve tissue that is connected to the rest of the body. They are each a little organ, like a spleen, liver, etc. A tooth infection can kill.
It amazes me how many don't floss or water pick. The mouth is already loaded with bacteria and a warm moist environment. Add food and bacteria breeds. Add sugar shit and it flourishes. Periodontal (gum/bone) disease and cavities happen. The toothbrush can't access approximately 30% of the tooth areas. You can't change genetics but many use it as an excuse. Brush twice a day and floss and avoid shit food. See your dentist every six months. Oil changes are better than tranny jobs. If you wipe your ass properly (the other end of the tube) you can take care of your mouth. |
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Wisdom teeth are a crapshoot. Some folks go to the dentist and get 'em out no problem, and some people have those little bastards hooked in there so bad it's damn near impossible to get 'em out.
Either way, it's a great litmus test to see who is a True Believer when it comes to preparedness and who is just talking the talk....the True Believers will be the ones that have them removed pre-emptively. The REALLY True Believers will probably also be shopping around for a pre-emptive appendectomy. 
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| I went in years ago to have mine removed, and the surgeon said that the roots wrapped around my nerves, and said that I had a really big chance of losing feeling in half my face and taste. He also said that he hoped he would be retired before I came back because he didn't want to do it. They give me trouble like right now they hurt like a mother, not because they are bad but they grow every once in a while I guess, and hurt like hell. I water pick around them twice a day and brush three times a day. Anyone have any idea's on how to get them out and not lose taste and facial feeling or control? This was about 20 years ago so I am sure things have come a long way, but it stuck with me and I haven't been to see the surgeon again. |
| Zukguy....see a modern day oral surgeon. They can do a scan to see exactly where the mandibular/inferior alveolar nerve is. We couldn't do that 20 years ago. Nerve damage can be from too aggressive extractions, roots impinging on the nerve, or even just by administration of anesthesia (shot). My wife actually has a patient experiencing paresthesia of the tongue from just getting numb and doing a filling. It all has risks. Benefits outweight the risk 99% of the time. |
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I hated it at the time but the Navy made sure they got my wisdom teeth out. They don't like to have to send helicopters out to pick up ailing sailors or to make submarines surface to facilitate that.
I religiously brush and floss (actually I use a water pic). I go to the dentist twice a year and so far, I'm good. I see friends who don't take care of their teeth and I wouldn't want to be them during a SHTF event. |
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Quoted:
Army removed mine for me. No option, all 4 same time, local anesthesia only, Walked from dentac to Womack to pick up pain meds then back to smoke bomb hill. Got 3 or 4 days quarters. The Navy was the same way. Only local and mine had to be cut out. Then the long walk to the base pharmacy. I was surprised when when my wife got hers pulled and they put her out. |
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@LayingLow
Weird enough I got an infection under number 17 wisdom tooth last week, it hurt bad my dentist called in some antibiotics, and I just took Advil for the pain. I went into see him, and now have an appointment to have them taken out, or at least see if they can be taken of safely. I only have them on the bottom, but I am actually really excited to have them gone because they have bothered me for well over 20 years. I will let you know how it goes, is there anything specific I should ask them to look out for? Thank you very much for your help and nudge. |
| I'm 73 and have 1 left. Last year had one removed. After that the tooth it had been pushing on started to migrate backwards. That left a gap which the dentist didn't like. She gave me a device to wear to push it back where it should be. It hurt like hell for three weeks and I took it out. Couldn't take it any more. Saw the dentist and the tooth had moved enough so she gave me a new device to maintain it - no pain. |
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Quoted:
@LayingLow Weird enough I got an infection under number 17 wisdom tooth last week, it hurt bad my dentist called in some antibiotics, and I just took Advil for the pain. I went into see him, and now have an appointment to have them taken out, or at least see if they can be taken of safely. I only have them on the bottom, but I am actually really excited to have them gone because they have bothered me for well over 20 years. I will let you know how it goes, is there anything specific I should ask them to look out for? Thank you very much for your help and nudge. Good deal. Glad to hear it. Remember: They do it all day, every day. They will review risk/benefit which may scare you. But you know it needs done, and if you're having signs of infection it pretty much seals the deal! Best wishes, and take it easy. Good riddance at those SOBs. |
Don't sweat it.......just get the damn things pulled.
 20 second Wisdom Tooth Extraction |
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In reality folks, there are a plethora of things that could make you part of the 90%. Appendix, slip on the ice, pneumonia, you name it. If your wisdom teeth are bothering you, get them removed. If you have never had any problems, I wouldn't be kept awake at night worrying that your wisdom teeth will kill you if TEOTW happens.
Doc |
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Quoted:
Army removed mine for me. No option, all 4 same time, local anesthesia only, Walked from dentac to Womack to pick up pain meds then back to smoke bomb hill. Got 3 or 4 days quarters. Army dentist wanted to take mine. I asked why, and the dentist said, "why not? they might give you trouble later." I declined. - he looked disappointed or mad, not sure which. Will I ever regret that decision? maybe. it's going on 40yrs now, and not a peep from them, and no dentist since then has ever suggested they needed to go. My dad never had his removed either. ETA: I have not thought about my wisdom teeth in years, I was just looking on WebMD and they report about 5 million people get their wisdom teeth removed each year and that more than 60% of the removals are not needed. |