Is anyone a dentist ? Need some advice re wisdom teeth

[Notfeelingwise]

I have 2 wisdom teeth partially erupted , coming in at an angle , impacted. I regularly get infections. They are getting harder and harder to get rid of. I need antibiotics each time.

I have to use medicated mouthwash daily.

I have a massive phobia about having them removed. Is there any other option ? I just don’t know if I can do it ? Also the cost is too high can it be done in the nhs under general anaesthetic? I can’t be awake to have it done if I do. I’m terrified

In scared of nerve damage and dry socket. The whole situation is making me unwell with anxiety on top of being unwell from constant infections 😭

Just want to reach out to you as I utterly empathise.

Currently on antibiotics yet again for a tooth that needs taking out. It has a crown on it but the roots underneath are now outside of the crown!!

im insanely anxious at the thought of it all. The fear of dry socket is the worst! Also the bleeding and clots. (Bad experience)

I’m constantly running from the inevitable.

im sending you massive empathetic hugs 🤗.

OP can you speak to your dentist about it?
I had a large molar tooth out and it was a fairly bad experience because my dentist at the time wasn’t very kind BUT like you I was terrified about dry socket and it was totally fine. I think it’s a relatively unlikely complication. Sending you both big hugs as I can totally empathise with the anxiety and I hope my success story is helpful!

They’ve been saying for about 6 years to have them removed but I’ve been too scared plus I’ve had 2 dc in that time so never wanted it done when pregnant but now the infections are getting harder to treat 😞

would a private dentist do a referral to nhs hospital? I’m so terrified I’d definitely have to be asleep

I've been where you are. I'm not a dentist but I will tell you my story and hope it gives you some reassurance. My bottom wisdom teeth, like yours were partially erupted. They were fine for years but then I kept getting infections as decay had got into them as I couldn't clean them properly due to positioning. One of the worst infections I had was on my 30th birthday, I was antibiotics (again) and that was rubbish. The only solution was to have them out unfortunately.

I can't tell you how anxious I was! But then, I do also have a chronic health anxiety disorder. Im on medication. So anything health/body related sends me into panic. However, I knew this had to be done so I went to a recommded who offered sedation. Would you consider that?
It's not a quick procedure but being under sedation meant I wasn't aware of time or much at all really.

Recovery wise, it was obviously extremely tender, eating and drinking was interesting and I looked a bit like the Godfather lol, but it was honestly a far better experience than I'd worried about. I never think think about it now. And now I've since had two children, I can say, it didn't even come close to childbirth! Haha.

Take care and I hope whatever you decide, it goes well. X

I've had 2 wisdom teeth taken out with local anaesthetic (so I was awake). It really, really wasn't that bad although obviously I felt scared beforehand so I can empathise with you a bit there. Honestly you've had 2 children so you can do it. It's a breeze compared to childbirth. I put my headphones on during the extraction and just really focused on the music. Thought to myself stuff like 'by the time this verse is over it'll be done'. I also had dh with me for support. You can do it.

I had mine out under light sedation and you don’t care what they’re doing honestly. You know but can’t feel anything and it’s very relaxing. I did get dry socket, but as soon as they packed it, it was fine. Healed up well.

Also, don't look up stuff on the internet about wisdom tooth removal. It really won't help if you're anxious. Speaking from experience.

I was terrified of the dentist. I also had wisdom teeth that were impacted.
After several courses of Antibiotics the dentist referred to to the hospital.
My wisdom teeth was sitting on the nerve that runs along your mouth.

Getting to the point I had the wisdom teeth partially removed in hospital.
It was the best decision I have ever made. No more pain and I've got over my fear of the dentist.

Not a dentist, but from a Microbiologist perspective, get them out. The constant antibiotics you’re taking will wreck you (I had all 4 wisdom teeth like this so I understand), and antibiotic resistance is another serious issue.

I went private and had mine out with a script for 40mg of Diazepam. Unfortunately they can’t do that any more and it’s light sedation or GA.I remember nothing about the procedure and was only taking codeine for 1 day and ibuprofen for a week after.

I had a partially erupted wisdom tooth out a few months ago. Put it off for years but after a miserable Xmas - where I couldn't eat properly because of infection or drink because of antibiotics - I decided to get on with it.

Mine was also lying at an angle and my dentist said she wouldn't attempt to remove it herself so referred me to hospital (an nhs hospital even though I go to a private dentist). I had the option to have it out under general or local anaesthetic (no charge whatsoever for either). There was a longer wait for general but I wanted to have a local anyway. The hospital dental staff could not have been nicer. The whole thing took an hour - they have to cut the gum so they can pull it back. They then cut the tooth up in situ so they can pull the bits out. And finally they try and remove the root from the bone (they had to leave some of mine behind but hopefully it won't be a problem). Finally they stitch the gum leaving a small hole for drainage.
This is very important for you to know - the only pain I experienced during the entire op was aching from my face muscles. The dentist was very careful to ensure I was completely numb before she started.
I have to admit I had a lot of swelling and discomfort afterwards. Plus a horrible taste in my mouth. But I'm very glad I had it done. I was sick of worrying about infections starting up. The dentist said she could see quite a lot of scarring on my gum.
I sympathise with your fear. The hospital dentist said I looked completely terrified. I actually burst into tears when I left the hospital out of sheer relief to have got through it.
I was so scared the only way I would agree to my dentist referring me was because there was a very long waiting list (as it happened there wasn't!).

Presumably you have a dentist if you're regularly getting antibiotics? Have you asked them to refer you to hospital?

I’m just so scared I think mostly of damage to facial nerves and of pain and complications after like dry socket but then here I am in pain anyway with infections all the time.
My dentists do it with session but it’s too expensive so I think I’ll have to ask for a referral to a hospital I think I’ll be better if I’m asleep anyway because of my anxiety and the two dentists I’ve seen have worried me as they were saying it will be a tricky extraction due to how they wisdom teeth are growing

*sedation

I had mine done under sedation it was fine and not expensive as a NHS referral

When I was referred to hospital, I had an initial consultation where they took a full x-Ray of my mouth and went through the pros and cons of having the op.

Why don't you get yourself referred, have that initial consultation and then decide whether or not to proceed. That's how I approached it. Once I was on the waiting list I felt I was doing everything I could so stopped worrying about it for a bit.

I understand your concerns about complications. It was what stopped me having my impacted wisdom tooth out years ago when it wasn't really causing me any problems. But once you start getting infections there's not really any alternative. The full mouth x-Ray will show how close the tooth is to the main nerve in your jaw. One of the reasons the dental surgeon left a bit of root in my jaw was because she didn't want to get any closer to the nerve. They obviously have to make you aware of the risks, but they are also experts!

30 plus years ago I had this. They took them out under general anaesthetic in hospital. Back then I stayed one night. They took all 4 while they were at it!

I've suffered with dentist anxiety for years so I sympathise. Mine actually got so bad I was having weekly infections and just in constant agony, constant antibiotics, so much pain I couldn't move, overdosing on painkillers regularly just to try and keep it under wraps, and I STILL wouldn't get them out. I was an idiot. Don't do what I did.

I've had all four of my wisdom teeth out, as well as a couple of others that were killed by my negligence - none of the extractions hurt even a tiny bit and they were all done on NHS. I promise if you get a good dentist they can genuinely do it painlessly under local anesthesia. For the first one I was lying there a gibbering, sobbing, shaking mess - then in about 30 seconds it was over. I genuinely felt no pain at all, just a weird tugging sensation. I've had more painful leg waxes.

Six teeth out and I've never had dry socket either - follow the directions given to the letter and your chances of getting it are slim.

Honestly the pain of the constant infections was 1000x worse than the soreness post-extraction, and the relief of the teeth and pain just being GONE is indescribable. I know there are tiny risks (facial nerve damage, dry socket etc) but they really are tiny - especially compared to the risks you're taking by letting this go on. You know you can die from untreated tooth infections right? Like I'm not even being dramatic, if you leave them long enough it can literally kill you. So not getting it sorted out of fear of the possible consequences is stupid, because you're risking far more by NOT having them out.

Any dentist, NHS or private can refer you for 8s out under GA at an NHS hospital. There may be a wait but actually in our area it’s not that long, maybe 3 months.
Nerve damage is a worry but the incidence is low, they just have to consent you for it.
Dry sockets are horrible but can be treated and will settle (you may not get one!) and once done with the tooth is gone so no more infections.
FWIW I had both my lowers out with no problems whatsoever.

I've had all four of my wisdom teeth out (plus many more teeth) The wisdom teeth were the easiest teeth to come out.

I am not dentist but I had 2 impacted on the bottom. Kept flailing up so I had them removed. It got dry socket I have never known pain like it. I cried daily for six weeks. Took myself to A&E but they sent me away. I can see why you don’t want it done it. I do feel for you😔

I feel you! Let me share my experience. I am terrified of pain. SO I had to get a wisdom tooth and two other removed. I went in panicked cause I knew I couldnt afford sedation. I explained how i felt in advance and the dentist was super nice about it. Gave me extra meds to make it not hurt. Didnt hurt, felt some pressure but nothing to bad. My roots were curved too so it took almost 4 hours to get them out. Dentist was super nice, even though I spent the whole time shaking. He gave me some of the good pain meds and said to take them as soon as i got home. I walked out and took a taxi home. No pain at all, not even the next day! It was scary and I dont think i'd do it again but im glad i did. I was having lots of infections (think wishing to die kinda pain, calling off of work....) and now im pain free!

and i ended up with some temporary nerve damage, my chin was numb for a week!

Wow DarcyG - what an unhelpful post!
I don't think dry socket can last 6 weeks - sounds like you had an infection? The op is have recurring infections which can also be incredibly painful - and dangerous - so doesn't need to read horror stories!

As I said op, I had mine out in hospital and they gave me a number to call if there were any problems afterwards(no going to A&E). I did actually ring after a few days because I thought the horrible taste in my mouth might be the start of an infection, but they said the hole is packed with lots of stuff to help it heal and it was probably just that leaking out). They responded very quickly and said I could go in if I wanted them to check. I didn't, but it was reassuring to know I could get after-care quickly if I needed it.

Both DH and I have been referred to NHS hospital for wisdom teeth extraction by our private dentist. DH’s were removed under local anaesthetic. He wasn’t given an option of general (though he didn’t ask). I was initially referred to an NHS dental clinic that only did extractions under local anaesthetic and I’m not sure if you could refuse that and stay with the NHS. In the end, due the nature of my teeth I need an extraction under GA so am now on the hospital waiting list.

@toastofthetown - that's interesting. My (private) dentist gave me the choice of being referred to NHS hospital for extraction under a general or extraction under a local. She said the local anaesthetic waiting list was much shorter and I went for that (not because I was in a hurry but because I prefer to be conscious during medical procedures if practical). I guess it varies from area to area though.