Discussion: Encouragement

I, too, hate, hate, hate going to the dentist. However, my last few visits, including having an implant and some crowns, haven't been bad. I think they've gotten better at minimizing pain and discomfort. Good luck with whatever happens!

I enjoy going to the dentist. All you have to do is sit there and follow very simple directions while they fix or clean. It's sort of satisfying and it's better than other medical places where you are asked the same questions five different times and there's all this confusion over which articles of clothing to remove and you end up sitting in a little examination room in a skimpy paper robe for like 20 minutes wondering when the doctor is coming and when she finally arrives it's like 3 minutes of poking and then you go, with absolutely nothing to show for your visit except a bill.

For my recent three-tooth extraction, the only thing that was an issue at all (other than unavoidable pre-procedure anxiety) was the actual process of getting anaesthesia, and that only because I have a thing about needles. Once he pulled the syringe out, I started breathing again, and said okay, cool, the hard part is over and you can do whatever you want. The pulling business is no big deal, although in your case, with the tooth broken and harder to get a grip on, there might be more finesse required, maybe a bit of minor work with a drill, but no worse than a typical filling, I'd guess.

And follow the post-op instructions diligently to prevent swelling and discomfort. You'll probably be fine tomorrow.

Just back from our annual visit for teeth cleaning. No fuss, no muss, no trauma though both need to go back for little things that need attention.

Certainly big changes with this operation which we have been going to forever. Very streamlined, high-tech. X-rays that appear magically on the computer screen. No more developing pictures. Even better is the demise of the old belt drive drills, or the gas for anesthesia.

Checked the neat computer picture of my teeth which just shows grey patches in places where wisdoms would be. Seem to recall one at least being pulled but not sure of the rest.

For better or for worse, I ran the Night-O champs 5 hours after getting US31 pulled, so the post-op debilitation is not so bad.

I totally sympathize. The first thing of even remotely of any significance I have had done to my teeth was having wisdom teeth extracted last year, and in hindsight the *only* bad part about the experience was the anxiety beforehand. Maybe I was lucky or maybe this is more typical these days, but I had zero pain or even mild discomfort afterwards. Good luck!

I usually schedule a good workout right after tooth work, gets my mind off the task and produces a few more natural pain killer hormones.

Except they specifically say not to exercise for a day or two after an extraction (Boris's behavior notwithstanding, maybe the rules are different if you are young) because you want as little stress on the blood clot filling up the hole where the root was.

After normal fillings, for sure.

Though right now, lots of things need healing, so some downtime is good.

Yeah, I was also told not to exercise strenuously in order for the clot to form, but was told a light jog the same evening was ok, which I took to mean "run a national championship in night orienteering."

I'm surprised that your instructions didn't mention the tea bag. Both of my extractions (at different places) suggested that.

I had a printed copy that was somewhat different in a few places, and it mentioned the tea bag. But it wasn't until after I used it that I realized that it was suggested for something more than the fact that it was a convenient size to stuff in the gap.

I would have been happier if it had suggested using the bag sooner. I spent several hours wondering if the bleeding was ever going to stop.

I had all 4 wisdom teeth out in about '78, badly impacted, lengthy operation. After a day or so when the swelling went down enough, it became apparent that my cheek had been sewn to my gum. Went in to see the guy, who thought I was mistaken until he looked, snipped the stitch and I was fine. It took a really long time (months, I think) for the holes to finally fill in.

I got my wisdom teeth out in college and the only thing that relieved the ache was a spoonful of Slurpee dumped right on the hole. I'm sure that was not what the doctor told me to do, and I'm probably very lucky nothing went wrong, but it sure felt good.

Had two wisdom tooth extractions, about 10-years apart, one side each time, first in 1984. Had general anesthesia (actually enough sedation so you sleep) both times. They numb you while you're out so you don't wake up to pain.

Wouldn't have done it any other way...

Tea bag issue: Does it matter what flavour tea you use?

All you folks that took good care of your teeth when young understandably have anxieties today going to the dentist. My experience is otherwise: I was not a good boy, didn't take care, was unmonitored when at boarding school, then at college had to start what would be a life-long career of root canals, broken amalgams, caps coming unglued. Now I would sooner go to the dentist for a relaxing hour of root reaming rather than go through prep for colonoscopy. Well, almost. Biggest anxiety was back in the Navy days when the Navy dentist started a root canal in a particularly hurtful front tooth without offering anesthetic. I challenged and he assured me that the pain would subside immediately after the canal was opened, which should take about 30 seconds. He was absolutely right. Gas from the rotted nerved escaped, relieving pressure, and rest of procedure was painless but for the noise (old belt drive drills Walk mentions).

Implants are great - go for it!

Does it matter what flavour tea you use?

Flavor doesn't matter, but black tea is better than green or herbal.

Sorry for the ordeal. Do take care of the rest of you so that issues don't get compounded. After I had my wisdom teeth out I stopped eating (and drinking) properly and that made things much worse. Hope you're better soon.