Wisdom tooth repeat infections.

[SwanShaped]

I keep getting infections in my lower wisdom tooth gum. But I’m very scared of having it out because I hate the dentist. Anyone else had this, and is it worth going through extraction? What’s the sedative like? I don’t want gruesome horror stories, please.

[HumpHumpWhale]

I had mine out under GA, and it was totally fine. My DH had one out unexpectedly, the dentist just went "we should get that out" and 5 minutes later, it was done. He was a bit shocked, but said the actual experience was fine.

[Snorkelface]

Actually the other reason to ask for the referral is because there can be a bit of a queue and with repeat infection likely getting on the list to be seen is probably a good idea. If we end up in another lockdown at any point the queue will inevitably get longer.

[Wombat64]

All 4 removed under anaesthetic.

Much better than having recurrent infections.

[SwanShaped]

Yeah I was thinking that snorkel. Good that people seem to be saying GA is fine too.

[Babymamma192]

@SwanShaped I had repeat infections in my lower wisdom tooth too. I didn't have mine out and every time I felt like it was getting infected (usually once every 6 months) id go the dentist and he'd give me antibiotics and now it's completely through the gum and I have absolutely no problems with it.

[supercalifragilistic123]

I had mine out recently. I was given the option of ga or sedative and I chose GA.

Mine were quite impacted and I was sore for a good 4 weeks. I had stitches which were particularly sore.

However once I had healed it has been great. No more infections/ sore mouth/ bad breath and all of the other nasties. I have no regrets and would definitely do it again.

Just make sure you have lots of soft foods for the first week or so. And keep on top of the painkillers for when the local anaesthetic starts to wear off.

I was nervous too but honestly it's been so worth it!

[tinierclanger]

Had mine out under a local, but they let me have a Valium which really helped.

Painful for a few days but so worth it to get rid of the infections

[SwanShaped]

That’s what I was hoping baby. That they’d eventually come through. But it keeps not happening. Mine are getting a minor infection about every 6 weeks or less. And then occasionally bad ones like this one. I’ll have to ring for antibiotics tmw.

[SaintVal]

I'm glad I found this thread as I'm having a wisdom tooth out on Friday under local anaesthetic! Feel much more relaxed now 😊

[QueenOfPain]

I had all four of my done at the dentist with local anaesthetic. The bottom two we’re done on two separate occasions about ten years ago, they were giving me loads of trouble and I was glad to get rid, did end up with dry socket both times (but I was a smoker then) but it’s all a distant memory now.

Then a couple of weeks ago I had both of my top ones out on the same occasion, as they had grown down to fill the empty spaces beneath them, but at a weird angle which was effecting my bite and giving me TMJ problems. I had a course of antibiotics about a week later as the pain was getting worse rather than improving but other than that I’ve had no issues, they’re fully healed now and not causing any issues and my jaw feels much more relaxed and less clicky

[starfishmummy]

@SwanShaped

So the ones that are the problem are nearly through my gum. And aren’t impacted. They’re coming through straight. But the bit of gum that still covers them just gets infected. One infection was so painful I said it was worse than my caesarean pain.

So something from my own experience. Could it be that your corresponding top wisdom tooth is biting into the gum on your bottom one and causing the infection. Happened to me and I was so desperate I agreed to the top one being extracted. And yes the dentists guess turned out to be right.

[SwanShaped]

Oh my god I am in the most amount of pain. I can hardly move my mouth. Defo phoning dentist today for antibiotics and referral to hospital.

Re above post, I’ve definitely had that happen too and ended up with a huge ulcer on my back gum. And also the wisdom teeth repeatedly biting my cheek inside.

[Arsebucket]

I have one that is stuck and I used to get a horrendous infection in the flat of skin over it once a year.

So I had the flap of skin removed instead of the tooth.

Not a problem since. Speak to your dentist about it (it’s called an Operculectomy).

[SheABitSpicyToday]

My bottom two are horribly impacted and I get lock jaw about twice a year. I’ve had problems now for about 6 months but because the root is the teeth are growing through my facial nerves there’s a much higher risk of my face being paralysed. I’m pregnant too, and so miserable. I can’t open my mouth more than half way and also can’t close it all the way so can’t chew anything.

[SwanShaped]

Removing skin sounds like it could work too. I had thought of that before but then forgot about the idea. I’ve got an appt with dentist this morning. Not sure how they’ll look, I can’t open my mouth.

Oh my god she that sounds absolutely dreadful. Wisdom teeth seem like a very poor design.

[SheABitSpicyToday]

They are a very poor design! I have an appointment this morning too. Hoping something can be done.

[DeathMetalMum]

Have you tried using corsodyl? I have periods of regular niggles with my wisdom tooth that is partially erupted, as soon as I notice it's not feeling quite right I use corsodyl (one with alcohol in) daily until it has calmed down. I also use a soft brush to really clean the area thoroughly - advised by the dentist I seem to be able to manage it that way. Mine would also require hospital and cut into my gum etc which I don't really like the sound of.

[SwanShaped]

Fingers crossed you can get some relief today, she.

I’ve tried managing it by keeping it clean, tcp or salt water when it’s a bit infected. Mostly it works and any minor infections go away. But today is awful. I’ll see what dentist says. Thanks all so much for you support, it really is making me feel a lot calmer.

[CovoidOfAllHumanity]

I've had the top two out with LA at the surgery (on separate occasions)

Not going to lie it was not a pleasant experience but it was over with very quickly. Much more quickly than a filling and no drilling just some pushing and pulling. It was sore for about a week afterwards requiring codeine the first few days.

Despite that I have never regretted having them out because the infections and the pain were so bad before I and now it's all trouble free which is marvellous.

I day just go for it and get it over with and you'll not look back. If they offer you GA at the hospital then even better. My dsis had all 4 of hers out as day surgery and was over it very quickly.

[SwanShaped]

The trouble with GA, is I’m terrified of that too! What if I’m awake and can feel it all but am also paralysed and can’t tell them?!

[CovoidOfAllHumanity]

Very very unlikely
Vanishingly rare
Anaesthetists don't let that happen. They can tell from stuff like your heart rate and BP going up. You don't have to be able to tell them they would know a long time before that if you were awake.
I am not an anaesthetist but I work with them a lot and see a lot of people being anaesthetised and it's really very peaceful to the extent that sometimes I am a bit jealous and can see why Michael Jackson liked being given propofol.

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

@DeathMetalMum

Have you tried using corsodyl? I have periods of regular niggles with my wisdom tooth that is partially erupted, as soon as I notice it's not feeling quite right I use corsodyl (one with alcohol in) daily until it has calmed down. I also use a soft brush to really clean the area thoroughly - advised by the dentist I seem to be able to manage it that way. Mine would also require hospital and cut into my gum etc which I don't really like the sound of.

Salt water works really well too but if you have a flap of skin you need to get it in under that.

When I had an infection last year that didn't clear up of its own accord within a couple of days, rather than go on antibiotics, I used a syringe of heavily salted water 3 times a day. The dentist gave me syringes with a long bent nozzle that would go in under the flap.

The op's infection sounds much worse than mine though so antibiotics may be necessary.

[SwanShaped]

That’s reassuring to hear. I know it must be unlikely because otherwise you’d hear about it. So many people must have them daily. I just once read the headline of an article and it stuck in my mind. I didn’t read the article coz I knew it wouldn’t help me, but the headline just popped up on a news app. I know it makes no sense to fixate on that one thing but my brain has done it.

[SwanShaped]

I normally do use salt water and it works well. I even put salt crystals under the flap of skin where I can. But this one is too painful and I don’t wanna leave it over the weekend when I’m away camping. In case it gets worse while I’m away.

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

@SwanShaped

I normally do use salt water and it works well. I even put salt crystals under the flap of skin where I can. But this one is too painful and I don’t wanna leave it over the weekend when I’m away camping. In case it gets worse while I’m away.

Sometimes it just needs antibiotics.

I'd still do the salt water thing, even with antibiotics. Ask the dentist for a few of the syringes I mentioned. They're handy to have in. I think technically they are disposable but I just rinsed and re-used.