Extremely scared

[Little tiger]

I've been to frightened to go to the dentist but forced myself at last to go. I've been told one of my lower right wisdom tooth nerve is dead. I got told my wisdom tooth is far back so I have to have a specialist to remove it.
I'm worried because it's my first dental work and scared of being in pain, I've got it in my head that'll I'll be in extreme pain for days, weeks or I'd die (I don't get on well with anaesthetic) or it causes someother tooth or health problem. I suffer from panic attacks as well.
I also worried about if I can take care of my baby, I'm nursing at the moment so worried about medication and that and there's no friends or family to help out so it'll be hard if something did happen.
I know I'm over reacting really but still scared. Any kind advice or words of encouragement will be really appreciated.

 

[Justafriend]

I've been to frightened to go to the dentist but forced myself at last to go. I've been told one of my lower right wisdom tooth nerve is dead. I got told my wisdom tooth is far back so I have to have a specialist to remove it.
I'm worried because it's my first dental work and scared of being in pain, I've got it in my head that'll I'll be in extreme pain for days, weeks or I'd die (I don't get on well with anaesthetic) or it causes someother tooth or health problem. I suffer from panic attacks as well.
I also worried about if I can take care of my baby, I'm nursing at the moment so worried about medication and that and there's no friends or family to help out so it'll be hard if something did happen.
I know I'm over reacting really but still scared. Any kind advice or words of encouragement will be really appreciated.

Dear Little Tiger,

I'm not sure how helpful my answer will be to you, but I hope it at least calms your nerves. I've had all 4 of my wisdom teeth taken out; 3 when I was 16 and 1 just last month. Let me tell you, it barely hurts at all after the first few days.

One of mine (the upper right) was so far up and sideways, that my dentist and dental surgeon actually thought I didn't have all four until they did the full x-ray, and even then I barely felt anything after a few days. Now none of mine were dead, of course, so that may make a difference.

But the latest catastrophy (I'm dealing with a several dental issues right now) literally blew up in my mouth from the pressure exherted on it, and minus the little fragment pain, it also didn't hurt. So, I don't think you'll have to worry much about that, and as for the medicine, they gave my hydrocodone but you can probably just take ibuprofen and be alright.

I hope this relieves some of your worry, and makes your smile a little brighter.

-Chips

 

[Sevena]

I had all my teeth, including wisdoms, extracted, and I was in very little pain at all. I was swollen and tender, it hurt if I poked my face, but it wasn't actually ongoing pain, just discomfort. I took ibuprofen and paracetamol (those are safe to take together, and safe for breastfeeding), but I didn't really need them, and mostly took the ibuprofen to keep the swelling down.

You won't die either. Even if something went wrong, which is a teeny tiny minute chance, you'd be surrounded by health professionals who have been using anasthetic on patients for their entire careers. There's no way you'll die. You'll be fine.

 

[Jonnyctk]

I also just took one out and because of anxiety\panic I opted for iv sedation which was good....Calms yours nerves big time and it is done super quick..As the others stated above the medical teams are excellent at what they do...I know it doesn't alleviate our stress in the moment but it will go well !!!

 

[Little tiger]

Dear Little Tiger,

I'm not sure how helpful my answer will be to you, but I hope it at least calms your nerves. I've had all 4 of my wisdom teeth taken out; 3 when I was 16 and 1 just last month. Let me tell you, it barely hurts at all after the first few days.

One of mine (the upper right) was so far up and sideways, that my dentist and dental surgeon actually thought I didn't have all four until they did the full x-ray, and even then I barely felt anything after a few days. Now none of mine were dead, of course, so that may make a difference.

But the latest catastrophy (I'm dealing with a several dental issues right now) literally blew up in my mouth from the pressure exherted on it, and minus the little fragment pain, it also didn't hurt. So, I don't think you'll have to worry much about that, and as for the medicine, they gave my hydrocodone but you can probably just take ibuprofen and be alright.

I hope this relieves some of your worry, and makes your smile a little brighter.

-Chips

Thank you Justafriend. This is my first one and I'm in my 30's and scared like a child! You helped a lot and I feel more better about my tooth being so far back as well! I've got a small mouth so I can't open very wide which will make it difficult.
I'm sorry about all your dental problems, I hope things will improve for you.

 

[Little tiger]

I had all my teeth, including wisdoms, extracted, and I was in very little pain at all. I was swollen and tender, it hurt if I poked my face, but it wasn't actually ongoing pain, just discomfort. I took ibuprofen and paracetamol (those are safe to take together, and safe for breastfeeding), but I didn't really need them, and mostly took the ibuprofen to keep the swelling down.

You won't die either. Even if something went wrong, which is a teeny tiny minute chance, you'd be surrounded by health professionals who have been using anasthetic on patients for their entire careers. There's no way you'll die. You'll be fine.

Thank you Sevena! I'll be fine having hamster cheeks for a while. I'll get some ibuprofen, I only had some paracetamol since I could only take those during my pregnancy - it's funny I wasn't scared about childbirth but this terrifies me.
I'm just frightened since I had an operation when I was a child and I had a bad reaction to general anasthetic and it made my heart stop for a few seconds. This will be local though.

 

[Little tiger]

I also just took one out and because of anxiety\panic I opted for iv sedation which was good....Calms yours nerves big time and it is done super quick..As the others stated above the medical teams are excellent at what they do...I know it doesn't alleviate our stress in the moment but it will go well !!!

Thank you! I'll see if I can ask about sedations, I think I need it on most days, I'm such a worry wart!

 

[Peppa]

I had an RCT with iV sedation today. Great experience, and as I have a ten month old who is breastfed it was such a relief that I was completely normal as soon as it was over and there were no issues with feeding. I'm so glad I didn't listen to the dentist I saw before who told me to stop BF for 24 hours after the procedure!

 

[Little tiger]

I had an RCT with iV sedation today. Great experience, and as I have a ten month old who is breastfed it was such a relief that I was completely normal as soon as it was over and there were no issues with feeding. I'm so glad I didn't listen to the dentist I saw before who told me to stop BF for 24 hours after the procedure!

Thank you so much that was really helpful for me! My dentist didn't tell me to stop but he said a small amount can get in the milk but it's better than having an infection getting into it instead. I'm glad it went well for you!

 

[Little tiger]

I was wondering how long can the hole take to close up? I've read up so many different things - weeks, months and even a few years.

 

[Sevena]

Barring any complications, the holes usually close within a couple of weeks. However, they will look and feel like holes for some time after, because it takes a while for the dents to go away.

 

[Little tiger]

Thank you.

I'm due soon. I'm having problems with my other molars which I'm guessing is caused by the wisdom tooth but now I'm scared if this tooth goes I'll find my other teeth won't get better and find I'll need them removed as well.
I got advised to only use paracetmol whilst nursing. I'll update afterwards incase it'll help others.