Here's the thing: All the dentists I've had over the years, and there have been many, have said that I need to have them removed because 1) the pocket that was formed between my molars and my wisdom teeth was an ideal place for food and/or bacteria to get caught, which would ultimately lead to cavities and/or infection and 2) the older you are the harder it is to recover from such a procedure. These were all risks I was willing to try to avoid by doing things like brushing, flossing, and water-picking. As it turns out, I finally got a cavity that couldn't be filled with my wisdom tooth in place.
The thing that NONE of my dentists ever told me was that my wisdom teeth would continue to grow as I got older, the roots getting longer and more deeply embedded in the bone and possibly entwined with a major nerve as I got older. I assume they would stop at some point and not just grow out my neck, but I didn't find any confirmation of this in the literature in the oral surgeon's waiting room this morning. Maybe I just didn't read far enough. Anyway, as you can imagine, all of this stuff makes extraction more difficult. These are facts that probably would have been more convincing to me than "you might have trouble down the road." WTF, dentists? All my other teeth were fully formed; I assumed my wisdom teeth were too. I didn't know they would keep growing, thereby making future extraction more difficult. Am I the only one who has been led down the road of complacency by this lack of information? Am I the only one who didn't know your wisdom teeth keep growing well into adulthood? (Also, this x-ray is from 11 years ago, so presumably you can imagine roots that are a little longer and more difficult to extract.)
Anyway, I am doing OK right now, but I am a little miffed that they seem to have removed my lower lip along with my wisdom teeth. I can, however, do an excellent rendition of Bill Cosby's "The Dentist". Sorry I can't embed, but it's definitely worth clicking over if you've never heard it! Please enjoy while I go ice my face.
4 comments:
Ouchie!
I still have my wisdom teeth, but they grew in straight. The only problem I have is they're way the heck in the back of my mouth and hard to reach.
Hope the healing is quick!
I hope you feel better soon.
Also, thanks for scaring me. I've never had mine removed either. I'm already scared of the dentist. Now I may never go back! :)
really? They keep growing? That's what must be poking out of my ear. :)
softdrink-Thanks! Hopefully, you will never have to have them out, but at least the fact that yours came in straight might make it easier if you ever do.
Mike-Thank you! Look at it this way, if you keep going to the dentist, perhaps you will never have to have your wisdom teeth out. I'm a bit notorious for going a couple years between visits...hence all the cavities...hence why I don't like going to the dentist...it's a vicious cycle.
Also, I was totally worried about today's visit, but this was actually way better than any dentist visit. I had them knock me out, so I don't remember a thing about the traumatic parts of the visit. So, go to the dentist, but don't be too worried if they make you take your teeth out. (I'll let you know if I change my mind in the next few days, but for now I'm staying optimistic.)
oh no. Teef are totally overrated, yo.
I'm sorry that you're in pain - that x-ray is a trip! Who ever told these things they could grow sideways instaed of up like all the rest.
I have had many many problems with my teeth. They're shiners from afar, but people don't see the multiple root canals, the missing molars, all the crowns, etc. And yes, I actually do brush regularly, floss occasionally, and never eat sticky candy or drink sodas(but do enjoy chocolate).
I find that dentists/doctors typically don't give you more info that you actually ask for. And who would know to ask for every scenario??!!
Anyway, hope you have a speedy recovery.
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