Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

im having my tooth out today - please help

34 replies

jackieglyn · 25/05/2006 11:00

i might sound like a big wimp, but i am having to have my tooth taken out today while awake and i am really scared about it. im worried about the thought of it, the blood, all of it.

Can anyone please share their experiences with me or please re-assure me.

thank you X

OP posts:
southeastastra · 25/05/2006 11:51

Haven't had any teeth out since I was young but my son (4) had two taken out on tuesday and was sedated but now is fine! whats wrong with your tooth?

Anyway think about the novocane that makes you feel nice after!!

Sorry not much help.

ComeOVeneer · 25/05/2006 11:52

You'll be fine. Which tooth is it and why are you having it removed?

Rhubarb · 25/05/2006 11:52

Ouch!

Sorry! Sad

brimfull · 25/05/2006 11:54

I've had teeth taken out when I was a teen for overcrowding and a wisdom tooth a few yrs ago.I was awake and it was fine ,there is hardly any blood.I had numbing injections and you only feel a pulling sensation.Nothing to worry about ,honestly.

Original poster
jackieglyn · 25/05/2006 12:04

My tooth is badly infected had antibiotics but they didnt work so it is either have out or go private and pay 600.00 to have the nerve taken out. i would rather have the nerve taken out but i cant afford that. the tooth is one right at the back of the mouth but its not a wisdom tooth.

OP posts:
ComeOVeneer · 25/05/2006 12:06

Why do you have to go private to have root canal treatment?

DumbledoresGirl · 25/05/2006 12:10

I have had 3 teeth taken out in my time. One was infected and the bastard dentist did not anaesthetise me properly. But he was a crap dentist and that was 30 years ago. I have also had 2 teeth taken out with absolutely no pain at all (afterwards it hurts, I can't lie, but you can sort that with paracetamol) and I have had all sorts of horrid things done, also with no pain. Dentists these days know about proper pain relief and if you feel a single twinge, just bite his/her hand and you will soon be given a boost of pain relief!

Also, FWIW, I don't remember any blood loss at all. I think the gums must not bleed much, or they do something to limit the blood loss.

I know you must be terrified, but I hope you get some comfort from the posts here.

brimfull · 25/05/2006 12:34

I had root canal treatment on the nhs...are you being conned!

ComeOVeneer · 25/05/2006 12:37

Dumbledors girl if a tooth is badly infected the anaesthetic sometimes doesn't work. The infection prevents the anaesthetic from working properly, so it may not have been the dentist's fault.

pucca · 25/05/2006 12:40

Having a tooth out is fine imo, its afterwards you need to be careful.

I ended up with dry socket (not nice infection to the bone) so just be very careful not to dislodge the clot if you can.

ComeOVeneer · 25/05/2006 12:44

Yes do follow the instructions for aftercare carefully and I also recommend taking arnicaa to speed up the healing process.

DumbledoresGirl · 25/05/2006 12:44

ComeOVeneer, I think you are a dentist so I appreciate you standing up for your fellows, but believe me, he was a terrible dentist! Also, I never find one anaesthetic does it for me. Thank God for dentists these days. I have seen loads (not because of bad teeth but just because we have moved around a lot) and they are all, without exception, scrupulously careful about ensuring the patient's comfort (just trying to reassure jackieglyn!)

Marne · 25/05/2006 12:47

I had a wisdom tooth out a few months ago, i was sh*ting myself but in the end it was'nt too bad, it hardly bled at all and the dentist was realy good and explained evrything as he was doing it.

QE · 25/05/2006 12:50

I have sympayhies with you. dd (14) has to have 4 baby teeth out in 2 sessions in a few weeks times so says the orthodontist so she will make room for her descending molars.

Not nice for her especially as she needs a high dose of antibiotics each time due to her kidney probs. And she's on antibiotics now too so she is having a pretty massive overdose over the next 4 weeks. Sad

Hope all goes well for you jackieglyn, I'm sure the actual taking out is fine, just make sure you take loads of painkillers after.

Original poster
jackieglyn · 25/05/2006 13:01

thank you for all your responses, i really do wish i could have the nerve out but he told me he cant do that on the nhs and i will have to go private and pay all that money.

You have made me feel alittle better, what do u mean about not dislodging the clot?? what is this and what does it mean?

Sorry to sound stupid

OP posts:
SecondhandRose · 25/05/2006 13:17

JG - if this finds you b4 you reach the dentist. DO NOT have the tooth out before you find a dentist who will take the nerve out on the NHS for you. Ask him to do it, beg him to if not ask him to recommend a dentist that will. Once, its gone its gone and there are lot more problems associated with losing teeth than keeping them.

SecondhandRose · 25/05/2006 13:18

JG - if this finds you b4 you reach the dentist. DO NOT have the tooth out before you find a dentist who will take the nerve out on the NHS for you. Ask him to do it, beg him to if not ask him to recommend a dentist that will. Once, its gone its gone and there are lot more problems associated with losing teeth than keeping them.

SecondhandRose · 25/05/2006 13:19

JG - if this finds you b4 you reach the dentist. DO NOT have the tooth out before you find a dentist who will take the nerve out on the NHS for you. Ask him to do it, beg him to if not ask him to recommend a dentist that will. Once, its gone its gone and there are lot more problems associated with losing teeth than keeping them.

ComeOVeneer · 25/05/2006 13:32

There is no reason why a dentist can't do rct on the nhs. Either he doesn't want to and wants to make more money out of you, or it is too complex a case and he will be referring you to a specialist (endodontist) to have the treatment done, and they are generally private.

About the clot, when the tooth is removed the socket bleeds. Applying pressure to it will stop the bleeding and a clot will form (like a scab on a wound). This needs to remain in place to protect the socket from infection and start the healing process. It is quite delicate to begin with so avaoid eating on that side, don't rinse vigourously or poke it with your tongue or fingers.

ComeOVeneer · 25/05/2006 13:33

There is no reason why a dentist can't do rct on the nhs. Either he doesn't want to and wants to make more money out of you, or it is too complex a case and he will be referring you to a specialist (endodontist) to have the treatment done, and they are generally private.

About the clot, when the tooth is removed the socket bleeds. Applying pressure to it will stop the bleeding and a clot will form (like a scab on a wound). This needs to remain in place to protect the socket from infection and start the healing process. It is quite delicate to begin with so avaoid eating on that side, don't rinse vigourously or poke it with your tongue or fingers.

ComeOVeneer · 25/05/2006 13:33

There is no reason why a dentist can't do rct on the nhs. Either he doesn't want to and wants to make more money out of you, or it is too complex a case and he will be referring you to a specialist (endodontist) to have the treatment done, and they are generally private.

About the clot, when the tooth is removed the socket bleeds. Applying pressure to it will stop the bleeding and a clot will form (like a scab on a wound). This needs to remain in place to protect the socket from infection and start the healing process. It is quite delicate to begin with so avaoid eating on that side, don't rinse vigourously or poke it with your tongue or fingers.

ComeOVeneer · 25/05/2006 13:33

OOPS Blush .

SecondhandRose · 25/05/2006 13:54

Eek, sorry it was going so slow!

southeastastra · 25/05/2006 20:11

How are you now?

Charlene1 · 26/05/2006 00:57

Hi, hope you are OK.

I had a tooth removed 2 years ago. It hurt a lot as it wasn't numbed properly, and it took him about 10 mins to get out. Got dry socket as well, as I had hot drinks and it dissolves the clot apparently - didn't know that at the time.
Took ages to heal and hurt/got infected etc. That was a double tooth near the front of my mouth.

Had wisdom tooth out last month - different dentist! I was panicking like mad when I went in. Had loads of numbing on it, dentist pulled it out in 3 minutes flat - seriously didn't believe he'd done it. Couldn't feel a thing, apart from the pliers waggling the tooth. Thought he was just starting. I made him show me the tooth! I had gauze to bite on for 20 mins and a "care" sheet to take home. It didn't bleed much as I had so much anaesthetic - it freezes the blood vessels.
I took paracetamol after 1/2 an hour and then every 4 hrs. I took co-codamol at night, so I wouldn't wake up in pain, and after 3 days I was fine. Just keep a steady level of painkillers and your gum will heal faster, as your brain won't be getting pain messages. I still have a hole in my gum, and have to keep brushing/rinsing after eating to stop food getting trapped, but it is a hell of a lot better than last time I had one out!
If you have a tooth out just before your period by the way, you have less chance of dry socket - hormone levels and increased blood supply etc. or something.
I rinsed my mouth out with Oraldene for a few days and had antibiotics for 7 days to get rid of infection.

If you've had yours out now, eat lots of ice cream (!), and have only cold/lukewarm drinks.
Hope you recover soon.