Between the ages of about 18 and 26, I managed to avoid the dentist. College and a lack of dental insurance being the reasons, not really any sort of fear. Once I did get back into the routine of regular dental visits, I was either pregnant or nursing a baby. Every few years, the topic of my impacted wisdom teeth would come up (after reviewing my x-rays), but no one would suggest I do anything about it in my current condition. Then I switched dentists a few times and was able to keep avoiding the 'inevitable conversation.' While I've never had a fear of dentistry (probably due to my lack of cavities and any other sort of dental work or braces), I do have a fear of surgery. I was able to put off the dentists for quite awhile, but by age 40, my time was up. I agreed to visit one of the oral surgeons recommended by my dentist, after much cajoling on his part. The doctor took one look at my chart and said, "So, you're 40?" and then took a look at my x-rays and inside my mouth. To my utter surprise, he said, "You're too old to have your impacted wisdom teeth removed. If you were 30, I'd do it, but not a 40 year old." REALLY? I was shocked by this news! Shocked and relieved! He said he'd take out the one that wasn't impacted (it had broken through the gums at around age 30), but that was it. I made the appointment and skipped out of there! On my next dentist visit, he seemed a bit surprised by my report, but what could he say? He'd recommended the surgeon to me.
Unfortunately for my kids, they have parents who have paid thousands of dollars in order for them to have straight teeth and we are not about to have those ruined. Middle Child is having her impacted wisdom teeth removed this week. Yeah, I know......Thanksgiving is this week. Hopefully, she'll be able to enjoy the pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. There's really never a good time for oral surgery, is there?
You'll understand if I never share your story with any of my children! It is hard enough to get them to follow through on good dental care. LOL
ReplyDelete7M needs some oral surgery, and Jen had scheduled it for this Wednesday. I said, "Really? The day before Thanksgiving?"
ReplyDeleteSo we put it to 7M, and asked him whether he wanted his mouth to stop hurting more than he wanted Thanksgiving dinner. He said he'd rather have turkey, so we rescheduled it into December. . .
But 6F is getting all excited, 'cuz the orthodontist is telling her she'll probably have her braces off before Christmas, a year ahead of schedule (which doesn't mean we won't still be paying for 'em. . .)
Em - Yes, I understand! But I'm here to say, 'It can be done!'
ReplyDeleteCraig - The abundance of soft foods makes Thanksgiving ideal for oral surgery.....and I didn't want to spoil her Christmas break.
I just barely didn't make that line, grrr- the dentist sent me to the pull-out-the-wisdom-teeth dude, and although I was 40, (barely), he did.
ReplyDeleteAhh well, doesn't matter now, and honestly, I think I was lucky, it didn't hurt all that much. Or, (more likely), compared to the neck that was in the major ouch-league then, I just never noticed it.
Hope you have a grand t'giving!
This is he second wisdom tooth post I read today. I have to call this week and schedule my son's appointment to have his out. Same reason - after the expense of braces, those teeth better stay straight.
ReplyDelete(word verification: dentuol
So, last night at dinner, Jen tells me that the appointment for tomorrow is just a consultation; the actual surgery is Dec 27th. . . Helps if I actually pay attention. . .
ReplyDeleteSailor - I still think it's weird that he said I was too old; sorry the same didn't work for you!
ReplyDeleteAgent - Is he dreading it? College Daughter made such a big deal about it, Middle Child is now very nervous.
Craig - He'll have to scarf down the Xmas cookies while he can!
I am sorry middle child! At least you can have the cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and stuffing! Do stay away from straws. Dry sockets is a bitch. (according to the Wife, I never had it.)
ReplyDeleteI had to have my wisdom teeth out several years ago. I want to believe it was when I was in my 20s, but now that I think about it, I was entrenched in my 30s. The first tooth visit was to have just one out because it also had a cavity. I begged to be put under because I'd never had any type of dental work done, but the surgeon assured me it wouldn't hurt. Then he straddled the chair, leaned over me, stuck a metal device against my tooth and broke it. Delightful!
ReplyDeleteThe remaining three, suffice to say, were taken out a few months later while I was put under. Never had any problems or pain afterward. Alas, now that I'm now in my 40s, I've noticed my teeth are spreading just a very tiny bit. I may end up in braces before either of my kids!
(hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!)
Like you I am surprised that he said nope at 40, good thing you didn't show up at thirty nine.
ReplyDeleteHope Middle Child does well and at least enjoys the pumpkin pie, I agree there is no good time for oral surgery but glad it will be done and over with.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
i'm confused what your age has to do with it? and if it's impacted i thought that was terribly painful. i don't know. i have all 4 of mine which came in straight and true so i never had to worry about it so really...i'm ignorant.
ReplyDeleteRuss - That is what she ate. We sort of scheduled it on purpose that way.
ReplyDeleteFADKOG - I have similar memories of the one that was YANKED out of my mouth. Memories of that sound still make me shudder.
Jimmy - Thank you. She is recovering nicely.
Lime - From what I understand, impacted just means 'never erupted and sitting below the gumline.' Three of mine are still impacted and have never caused me problems, but most dentists say that in advancing years, decay sets in and then you may have problems. My mouth is completely cavity/filling free, so hopefully, my good oral hygiene will save me. I still don't know why the surgeon thought I was too old.
now that I know there's no surgery past 40 I think I'll go to the dentist.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by how little discomfort I was in and by how fast I healed when I had my wisdom teeth out, and this after being told that my procedure was going to be unusually difficult (something about their having to chip them off the jaw or something? I don't quite recall). Didn't need any of the Tylenol 4 I was prescribed. Hope she finds the same!
ReplyDeleteJK - Good plan!
ReplyDeleteTT - She seemed great for the first two days and then the pain set in. She's been surviving on Motrin though. There was no way I was giving her the Vicodin that was prescribed!