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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be terrified to have my wisdom tooth taken out?

35 replies

augustslipped · 15/08/2023 19:46

I need to have my wisdom tooth taken out and I'm terrified. I've been referred to a specialist dentist and I had an appointment booked a few months ago and I ended up cancelling it as I just couldn't bring myself to go. I'm really, really scared about it and I'm not usually scared of the dentist or medical procedures.

I'm scared about hearing the tooth crack as they pull it out, and the idea of having a huge hole in my gum freaks me out. I'm worried about the recovery, and I know I'll be really anxious anytime I need to swallow any food or drink in case it dislodges the clot. I'm scared if I get dry rot when the dentist is closed and I'll be in unbearable pain with no help available.

I went for a routine dental check-up and the dentist urged me to get the wisdom tooth out as soon as possible as food is getting trapped under it and I'll end up needing my molar out too otherwise. I floss and brush so diligently but obviously it's not enough and there's only so much I can do when the tooth is impacted/sideways.

I know i'm being a baby but I'm so scared

OP posts:

Ponkle · 15/08/2023 19:51

I sympathize, I felt similarly but the anticipation was far worse than the actual extraction! While it's definitely not pleasant, the extraction and recovery were fine, just load up on painkillers and don't keep poking your tongue in the hole to avoid dry socket 😀Good luck!

Piratesue · 15/08/2023 19:53

My doctor gave me diazepam when I had to have root canal. Worked a treat!

Waifeandstray · 15/08/2023 19:54

I’ve had three wisdom teeth out. Two were pulled out, one I had to go to husband for as it was impacted. Could you pop ears buds in and listen to music or a podcast? It’s okay to be scared but it’ll be fine and in the long run will be much better for you.

strawberryjeans · 15/08/2023 19:54

Huge hand hold! I know this must be hard, I’m so scared of the dentist. Tell them and they will understand too. I second podcast idea, or make a playlist full of music that relaxes you. Big hugs to you x

Aquamarine1029 · 15/08/2023 19:56

You'll be ok, op. The consequences of not dealing with this now and having it removed, because you already know it's causing problems, are going to be far worse than getting it taken out. You can do it.

WantingToEducate · 15/08/2023 19:57

I’ve had two of mine out and it’s really nothing to worry about.

Speaking as an ex-dental nurse, the wisdom teeth can be some of the easiest teeth to take out because their roots are so short.

When I had my last wisdom tooth taken out my husband was driving around the hospital car park trying to find a spot and so as not to risk being late I hopped out the car and told him to just meet me in the waiting room. By the time he’d parked up and come into the department (15 minutes at most) I’d already had the tooth removed and I just sitting there waiting for him, lol.

We then went furniture shopping on the way home and everything was fine. I didn’t have any problems at all.

I didn’t like the numbing injections but the actual extraction was fine.

The longer you leave it the risks of there being any complications increases so remember that and hold on to that thought next time you feel like cancelling.

Ultimately you have to have the tooth out so all you are doing is delaying the inevitable and potentially making things worse for yourself.

Its completely normal to be nervous and worried but honestly OP, you will be fine.

Mumteedum · 15/08/2023 19:58

I had one out a couple of years ago. It was honestly far easier than the extraction I had of a normal molar previously. I was at work the next day. It was honestly no problem. Healed fine.

Twinklysparklyvampire · 15/08/2023 19:58

Ask about options for sedation. triazolam which can be taken orally works really well for me. I am awake, able to follow instructions but not fearful in moment and I have no recollection of the procedure itself afterwards which is extremely helpful when more than one session is needed.

Where I am, dentists can prescribe. I’m not sure if this is allowed in the U.K. If not, I’d certainly speak to my GP to get it prescribed. So much easier for everyone involved.

Goes without saying I need to be driven there and back and I sometimes need the day after to recover depending on the time of the appointment. But totally worth it - I can actually have dental work done.

mynameiscalypso · 15/08/2023 19:58

I've had a molar out recently. Not going to lie, the crack made me feel a bit funny (a bit like the tugging if you've had an ELCS) but it was over very quickly. I was even offered my tooth to keep...

I too was very worried about the recovery but I was amazed how quickly I got used to it. I gargled a lot with salt water which seemed to do the trick and I had no pain or issues. I was planning to get an implant once it had healed but I don't think I'll bother now because it's become so normal - in a matter of weeks!

FionnulaTheCooler · 15/08/2023 19:59

I had one out earlier this year, same issue, it was coming in sideways and was damaging the tooth next to it. I was scared too, like you I didn't want to be aware of the extraction, so I had it done under sedation and I don't remember a thing from them putting the IV line in my hand to coming around once it was over. The recovery was fine too, no dry socket and the pain was manageable with over the counter codeine. Tell them about your anxiety around it and see if you can have it done under sedation.

GrumpyPanda · 15/08/2023 20:02

Just had a wisdom tooth extracted earlier this year - two others went decades ago. Honestly the anesthesia is so good these days, I didn't even notice when it came out and was surprised the procedure was already done! Took ibuprofen for a day or two but didn't have any actual pain at all. Some swelling and of course restricted eating for a few days but ate pretty much normally the week after. Just go ahead and do it, you'll feel so much better!

AmyandPhilipfan · 15/08/2023 20:04

I had one out a couple of months ago. I was terrified as I don't go to the dentist (I blame my mother for passing her fear down to me) but bits of it were crumbling off and I was getting scared all my teeth were falling out!

I got a same day emergency appointment and when I was there they said it needed to come out but I could make an appointment for another day if I preferred, or arrange sedation. I said just take it out there and then as I knew if I left I might not come back.

It wasn't pleasant but it wasn't the worst thing in the world. It did hurt a bit when she was pulling but nothing major. When it was out she said it had a huge abscess on the end of it and she was surprised I wasn't in agony. I think I'd just got used to it!

I took painkillers that night as I was worried it would really hurt when the anaesthetic wore off but it still didn't hurt the next day and has been fine ever since. No problems with eating or anything. And my mouth feels so much better now it's gone.

wateraddict · 15/08/2023 20:04

I have just had one of mine out under a general. The pain after is doable, make sure you have plenty of paracetamol and ibuprofen, I took them alternately for 24x7 hour cover for 3 weeks. Scrambled egg with cheese was my absolute lifesaver and anything soft is great for a while. I didn't need any pain relief at all by the end of week 4. I am at week 6 now and only biting into an apple is hard, I am slicing them but have been eating normally otherwise for 2-3 weeks now. Speak to a pharmacist about how to dose up on the ibuprofen as I was advised that I could take more than the packet instructions but was never given the exact dosage and timing info I needed.

What I am so glad about is I will never need antibiotics for that tooth again and the thing is done. I had a week off work and that was needed. I think in hindsight I could have had a couple of extra days as talking on the phone all day did make it hurt for the first couple of days back!

You can do it, def less complicated the sooner you do it. Handhold for you and I wish you well!

WeightoftheWorld · 15/08/2023 20:06

I had mine taken out under sedation at the dental hospital. It was fab, have a fuzzy memory of it and no memory of any pain or anything. My DM came with me as you need someone to take you home, I went back to hers and went straight to bed for a few hours. Got up, had a tin of soup for tea and back to bed til the next morning!

Wotchaz · 15/08/2023 20:12

I’ve had 2 out in the last few years, one upper and one lower. Pretty sure there was no crack with either, just the injection with a load of anaesthetic and less than 30 seconds of them working in my mouth. Stopped taking painkillers after 24 hours as wasn’t in any pain, and healed beautifully with no dry socket.

The thought of it is definitely a million times worse than the actual procedure. My lower one was done at the hospital and I was back at the car within 30 mins so didn’t even have to pay for parking!

jessiejin · 15/08/2023 20:15

I'm having mine out next month at the dental hospital. I obviously haven't researched it well because I don't even know what dry rot is. I'm having sedation although I'd have preferred GA, but the waiting list is 9m for that. I'm sure it won't be pleasant but that's the case for most dental/hospital procedures really. I usually close my eyes and pretend I'm somewhere else. I do really need them removed as it's having an effect on my other teeth so I just want it done and for it to be over really. Have had investigations/treatment put off for years due to pregnancies/having a young dc.

I probably do need to research aftercare a bit as they've not given me much information and I've no idea what I can eat afterwards etc.

MansfieldLark · 15/08/2023 20:16

I took Arnica tablets for a week before and after having mine out. Minimal swelling and pain. It might not have anything to do with the recovery but i think it helped me.

Shylo · 15/08/2023 20:24

Have it out under sedation, I cannot recommend it highly enough!

honestly it just does away with all the worry - I had one out recently under sedation and in the end the extraction wasn’t straight forward but I have no idea what happened because I was away with the fairies

Mixedmixed · 15/08/2023 20:26

Had mine out 6months ago. The procedure was fine - I had sedation and there wasn't a cracking noise. It was all done in about 10mins.
The recovery for first week was pretty awful - I'm going to be honest & was v tender and swollen. I didn't like it but I also had two toddlers to look after on my own and couldn't just rest. I think resting would have helped.

peebles32 · 15/08/2023 20:41

Why are some done under sedation at hospital? I had mine out a few weeks ago and the dentist did it. Did not even mention the dental hospital!

FionnulaTheCooler · 15/08/2023 20:44

peebles32 · 15/08/2023 20:41

Why are some done under sedation at hospital? I had mine out a few weeks ago and the dentist did it. Did not even mention the dental hospital!

My dentist wouldn't do mine because it wasn't a straightforward extraction, it needed a dental surgeon. It was me that requested the sedation, I could have had it done a lot sooner if they hadn't needed to get an anesthetist involved but I'm glad I went for that option.

billy1966 · 15/08/2023 20:45

MansfieldLark · 15/08/2023 20:16

I took Arnica tablets for a week before and after having mine out. Minimal swelling and pain. It might not have anything to do with the recovery but i think it helped me.

This.

Also before having veins in your legs done.

Pineapple juiceis highly recommended to reduce swelling.

Follow the advice and it will be fine.

Most are very nervous but it works out fine.

MereDintofPandiculation · 15/08/2023 20:47

Waifeandstray · 15/08/2023 19:54

I hope you meant you had to go to hospital not to husband I had a picture in my mind of DH standing there with his selection of chisels.

Muddays · 15/08/2023 20:47

@augustslipped: Aw, I absolutely know why you're afraid, but honestly your imagination is way worse than the reality right now. Dental treatment is so much better and vastly less painful than it was. You're looking at a really straightforward procedure that is very common and will make you feel beyond happy when it's done with. As you think you know, delaying it will make it more complicated, but are you sure you want the unbelievably unpleasant pain that's going to be inevitable, when it's avoidable right now. Take some painkillers and sit in the damn chair ASAP. You will be proud of yourself and I promise, very, very grateful you were brave enough to deal with it before it became Dante's inferno...

Original poster

augustslipped · 15/08/2023 22:02

Thank you all. Is sedation something I can ask for as an NHS patient or would I need to pay privately?

I'm considering paying private for a dentist in my town that has a really good reputation for extractions, it would be around £600 in total with sedation but I think I'd feel more in control paying privately, as I feel like I'd be more likely to get prompt aftercare help if needed?

OP posts:

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