wisdom tooth - do i need to have it removed?

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

It hurts. I can feel it coming down, it's at the top on my right side. If i feel with my tongue or finger there isn't any gum left for it to fit in. It feels that big that it kind of feels like its touching my jaw. Is that even possible? I feel sick just thinking about it. Im petrified and haven't been to the dentist in ten years. God im shaking at the prospect. :-(

[mrsfuzzy]

poor you, i had my wisdom teeth out and it was the best thing ever, id had so much trouble with them. try to get a recommendation for a dentist if you can or at least book an appointment to have them checked over, dentistry has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years and dentists are used to dealing with nervous patients so they will understand, perhaps someone you trust could go with you for moral support, it may seem impossible but once you take that first step you are on your way, good luck!

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

I am registered with an NHS dentist in the next town and have an appointment next Friday. First step. Whether I actually make it in to the waiting room or not is another matter! Do they tend to remove them in the dentist or do you have to be referred to a special clinic? I need to be knocked out, there is no way I could do this awake...

[frazzledbutcalm]

I had mine out at a dental hospital under general anaesthetic as they knew mine were going to be very problematic to remove. I think they usually remove them when you're awake with just local anaesthetic BUT as previous poster said, dentists now are very very different and have ways to deal with very nervous patients. Our dentist will do a check up then discuss all the many options with nervous patients for the available ways to offer the treatment. You may not even need them removed, sometimes they cause many problems coming in but are actually fine once they're through. My dd is getting hers now and they are really hurting. She has plenty room, the dentist explained to us the process in which they come in and now I understand why they hurt! They don't just simply push through the gum (as we thought),they have to work their way through the jawline and bone first! So all could be well for you in the end. Try not to be too scared about going to the dentist next week, just remember all the dentist will do is LOOK at your teeth, nothing more that's the only hurdle you need to concentrate on, don't think in the long term, just concentrate on the fact that for now, all that's going to happen is a dentist will look and your teeth. Just look. It may make it a bit easier to cope with if you can think like this, deal with just the here and now, first hurdle.

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

He will poke with the pokey stick thing. Last time I went I asked him not to poke with the poker and he still did.

It is causing me major pain tonight. My ear is hot and achey, I have a headache, my neck aches, the gum hurts, my jaw is stiff. I don't think I can wait until next Friday :(

[frazzledbutcalm]

He'll need to poke to see in between all your teeth. If you're in that much pain I'd maybe call out of hours dentist, they'll see you sooner. Just explain how nervous you are and they are usually good. The tooth may be infected and need antibiotics to clear it up. There could be an abcess. Or it could just be the way it is fighting it's way through! Take regular paracetamol and ibuprofen and ring to be seen sooner.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I had this with one of my wisdom teeth, I put off going for ages.

When I went she did something to it (I dont know what it was painless) and it just went away.