Not dealing well with the prospect of wisdom teeth removal

[JessicaB]

Appointment tomorrow

Well it's nearly here - my check up/cleaning appointment is tomorrow and I'm very nervous. I'm trying to keep busy and keep my mind off it as much as I can. I really can't wait until it's over. I hope the news is good. Very scared to find out more details about how badly impacted my wisdom teeth are on the bottom, especially as I am in the 'older' category not the 'ideal' age category for having them removed. One is completely under the gum and I'm terrified of what they'll have to do to get that one out. I've never had any surgery of any kind before.

 

[JessicaB]

Can't bring myself to make that wisdom teeth phone call

Making phone calls to make appointments has always been difficult for me. Even though I make phone calls to all sorts of professional people for my job, it's somehow different when it's a personal thing. I even struggle to make an appointment at the hairdresser, I really don't understand why. After years of pleading on my partner's behalf, I could never bring myself to make that phone call for the initial appointment with my dentist and he ended up offering to do it for me and then put me on the phone so that they could get my personal details and explain how the first appointment worked. Then when I had to go back after a filling to get the height adjusted I was able to make the first phone call, but after that I couldn't do it again and ended up organising another appointment via email. So now I have a referral to see an oral surgeon and I have a business card in my wallet with all the details on it. I keep pulling my wallet out of my bag and then putting it away again. It's only been a few days of this so far but I'm so scared that I just won't make that appointment and I'll get to my next check-up in December and I'll have to admit that I never did anything about it.

I've already put this off for ten years and I really need to get it sorted. I'm lucky that my wisdom teeth are yet to cause any serious pain or long term damage, but I know that luck will probably only last so long, particularly with the horizontally impacted one which is likely to cause decay and all sorts of other problems for the second molar and is also likely to push all my bottom teeth together.

I've just read a terrible story on here though from a poor person who has just had wisdoms out and is in all sorts of main. This is my biggest fear and I don't know if I can handle it. I'm also terrified of going to hospital and having GA, which seems to be very commonly used in Australia and is the option my dentist has recommended. This is something that I really don't want to do, even though almost everyone I know has had theirs done this way.

I have to keep reminding myself what my dentist told me - if I don't get them out they are likely to cause problems down the track and then I'll have to get them out anyway. So I realise I don't have a choice and I just have to get it sorted, but I'm having trouble taking that next step. I don't consider it to be the first step because that first step was going to the dentist and getting that referral, so I guess I should pat myself on the back for at least getting to this point.

 

[Stress Doc]

Re: Can't bring myself to make that wisdom teeth phone call

Hi JessicaB

You are moving, now keep up the momentum. Making phone calls for yourself must mean something to you that represents pain. If you can begin to identify that you can start to change the neuro-association.

You can do it, but you need to believe in your own ability to conquer this fear.

Blessings

 

[brit]

Re: Can't bring myself to make that wisdom teeth phone call

I've just read a terrible story on here though from a poor person who has just had wisdoms out and is in all sorts of pain. This is my biggest fear and I don't know if I can handle it. I'm also terrified of going to hospital and having GA, which seems to be very commonly used in Australia and is the option my dentist has recommended. This is something that I really don't want to do, even though almost everyone I know has had theirs done this way.

This is very unusual and this poster has problems with taking the pain medication I think....I was amazed how easy the 'after' was in my case and so was a friend of mine, who had hers done a year ago. Most people hear so many horror stories of wisdom teeth, that the reality proves easier than they expect..there will of course be a few unlucky people who do have difficulties for various reasons but the painkilling drugs are effective if you can take them as prescribed...if you are in severe pain, you should check back in with the practitioner I would say..rather than suffer in silence.

On the phone calls one in general..(not making appointments for wisdom teeth consults - your putting it off here, is because it sets in train something you are not sure about)...I'd say just try to remember that they can't see you over the phone...you are anonymous (Like on internet) ..so it doesn't matter if you say sth stupid or inappropriate....you give your actual name away at a point in the conversation when you feel comfortable to do so.

People who live in countries as expats where a different language is spoken very commonly say they hate making phone calls...it makes sense...you worry you won't be able to make yourself understood in the foreign language or that they will lack sufficient command of English to meet you halfway...maybe it would help to imagine how much worse this would be if you had to do it in a foreign cou ntry as well relying on them to speak English to you ....duh now you see it's easier than you thought ....with no language barrier.

 

[Razzle3]

Re: Can't bring myself to make that wisdom teeth phone call

Jessica, you can definitely do it. I've had my own phone issues over the years and so know how sometimes it can feel/seem easier to have someone else make a particular call for you. Thing is, by making it yourself, you are further kicking fear further out of your life.

All good wishes,
Mona

 

[mikey]

Re: Can't bring myself to make that wisdom teeth phone call

As there is sometimes the horror stories, I had 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed and had no pain at all afterwards, but I did take the prescription pain medication as directed.

 

[JessicaB]

Re: Can't bring myself to make that wisdom teeth phone call

Thanks for all your replies and encouragement It's good to be reminded that these sorts of stories are the exception rather than the rule. The problem I have though is that I have a lot of difficulty swallowing tablets so I'm very worried I won't be able to take any of the prescribed pain medication and will just have to suffer through the pain.

 

[Margarine4]

Re: Can't bring myself to make that wisdom teeth phone call

I've just read a terrible story on here though from a poor person who has just had wisdoms out and is in all sorts of main. This is my biggest fear and I don't know if I can handle it. I'm also terrified of going to hospital and having GA, which seems to be very commonly used in Australia and is the option my dentist has recommended. This is something that I really don't want to do, even though almost everyone I know has had theirs done this way.


I'm sorry I scared you. That's me who is still in a lot of pain. I have a lot of other health issues that make it so I am having a hard time with the pain meds. I also have immune system problems that make it take a long time for me to heal. I'm allergic to codeine, so I can't handle any of the narcotic pain drugs either. I know a lot of pain meds come in liquid form too, so as long as you can handle meds, you should be fine. Some of my problems are probably my own fault because I tried taking the meds, which made me really depressed. . . being depressed just makes the pain seem so much worse. I would definatelly recommend IV sedation.

On another note, can you have someone call to make the appointment for you? I have a lot of trouble making appointments too. If I have to do it myself, I try to come up with some kind of reward I can give myself for being brave enough to make the call. Usually write down what I need to say before I call too.

Good luck- You can do it.

 

[JessicaB]

Re: Can't bring myself to make that wisdom teeth phone call

Hi Margarine4 - that's okay and I'm sorry if I made you feel bad, it wasn't my intention, I was just having a little panic. I've never had any pain meds before so I have no idea if I can handle them. I've been very lucky never to need them, and only take paracetamol if I'm really, really desperate (probably about once a year). I have to cut the tablet in half to even have a chance of getting it down, and even then it's a real struggle so I'm pretty sure I won't have a hope of getting any kind of tablet down when I'm sore and puffy.

I could ask someone to make the appointment for me but I feel that it's something I need to do to take that next step and help put my fears bhind me. It's definitely good to know that I'm not the only one who finds making these phone calls very difficult.

 

[Margarine4]

Re: Can't bring myself to make that wisdom teeth phone call

I'm almost sure most pain meds come in liquid form too- so no matter how puffy you are you should be able to drink it.

Just so you know, it is extremelly rare to have the problems I have with pain pills. As long as you can get some pain meds in you, you will be fine.

 

[JessicaB]

I made my appointment for the consultation with the oral surgeon last week, and I still have five weeks to wait. I was so proud of myself for making the appointment and I thought I was doing ok, but last night very late after my partner had gone to bed I started to get very worried and upset and (stupidly) looked up lots of stuff about horizontally impacted wisdom teeth on the internet. I started to cry and feel very worried and stressed. I wish it was an option to leave them where they are and just keep ignoring them and hope for the best. I know that this is a really bad idea but I'm so scared.

 

[mikey]

I had made the same mistake of looking at videos on extracting impacted wisdom teeth.... made it a whole lot worse. When I finally got them removed however it was completely pain free and easy. After it was over I had no pain at all because of the prescription medication.

 

[olivacs]

Hi,
I am so much like you. I will spend hours and hours on the internet looking up diffferent procedures and things about teeth that I literally psych myself out. I have been told by everyone my dentist included that I need to stop doing it. The mind plays games with us and allows us to see the worst scenarios. Easier said than done..I surely know!

The best thing to do is to distract yourself every moment you can. Once your appointment comes along you will see how smooth things will go.
I had all four of my wisdom teeth extracted in March and for me it ended up being uneventful and I had zero pain and zero complications.
Hoping the same for you!

 

[Stress Doc]

I agree with what has been said. Googlitis can drive you crazy .
This can be an OCD habit. The best thing to do is to substitute it with a different habit.

Habits are not broken, they are replaced. Things almost never turn out to match our dread.

Dentistry has improved so much these procedures are very routine. Dentists do hundreds of them each year without problems. They are very low risk. You are at far greater risk of injury and pain driving to the appointment.

Remember, you are in control of your thoughts, feelings and beliefs. You control your responses, not the reverse.

I am sure everything will go smoothly and you will be fine. Think of every way your life will improve when you conquer this challenge. You are doing what you have believed was impossible. You have moved from being a victim to being a victor.

Blessings and Peace to you.

 

[JessicaB]

Thank you so much to everyone for their replies and PMs. I am now feeling a lot better and am making a conscious effort not to look up wisdom teeth on the internet. I am going to do my best to try to keep as busy as possible with other, more positive and more productive things and spend my time working on a letter to take with me to the oral surgeon explaining my fears and preferences for how the surgery is done. I am still very scared about the whole process, but hope I will feel much better after I have met with the surgeon. That way there won't be so many unknowns.

 

[JessicaB]

Your experience of initial consultation with an oral surgeon?

I have a consultation with an oral surgeon regarding my wisdom teeth in about a month. I think it's the fear of not knowing what will happen at the appointment that is getting to me the most. Obviously it varies from country to country and surgeon to surgeon, but I would love it if people could share their experiences of their initial consultation with an OS for extractions (of any kind, not necessarily wisdom teeth) so I get a better idea of what might happen when I go along. Thanks so much.

 

[olivacs]

Re: Your experience of initial consultation with an oral surgeon?

Hi,
For me the consultation was not much more different than a consultation you receive from your own dentist. The OS simply concentrates on examining those specific teeth suggested for extraction. It was not painful at all and I think my anxiety was far worse than the actual appointment. After looking at the teeth they plan to extract, he reviewed my x-rays and then went over the suggested treatment, and after care procedures.

Hope this helps a little bit.

Like I said, the anxiety I felt about the apppointment was far worse than the actual appointment.

 

[brewer734]

Re: Your experience of initial consultation with an oral surgeon?

hey
at my consultation all he did was read a report my dentist had put on the computer for him. Then he looked at my xrays if you havn't had those they may do them at the consultation. Then he had a very brief look at my teeth said they would be straight forwards to take out and no problems and that was it. I think the idea is very much just to check how easy they will be to remove and check for any problems there may be so they know what they're dealing with thats all.
just same as olivacs said nothing nasty or scary honest!!
emma

 

[JessicaB]

It's now two weeks until my appointment and I'm starting to get nervous again, even though I have really surprised myself and have hardly thought about it all for the last few weeks. I have to say this has been a huge relief! I think the next two weeks are going to be a bit more difficult though. I'm still nervous about the appointment itself, and also nervous about finding out how difficult the horizontal tooth might be to get out and whether or not IV sedation is an option - I really hope it is.

 

[chickenjen]

Hi, Jessica,
Since you are SO close to your appointment, just read the Success stories here and maybe some of the journals. That's what got me through the month before my big appointment. Don't LOOK at the actual procedures on YouTube or anywhere else -- you don't need to be looking at ANYTHING that GRAPHIC!!!
I sure remember that "butterflies in the stomach" feeling when it was this close to my appointment!!
Don't worry hun, you'll do just fine!!
Wishing you all the best,
Jen