Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Middle Aged Man Getting His Wisdom Teeth Pulled (A Journey)

DAY -370:
About a year ago I went to a dentist that decided to clean my wisdom teeth. He moved around my gums so he could properly get to them and unfortunately my gums never fully decided to go back to where they were so food would constantly get stuck and sure enough, a year later, I had a bad cavity.

DAY -30:
Was at a new dentist that had a lot of new equipment but they didn't need to use any of them to see that there was a bad cavity on my wisdom tooth. It is too far back and since my mouth is not big enough (physically, not verbally) they were going to have to pull it. They have a specialist that comes once a month and his next available time was almost a month away (Sept 12). So I booked it as well as a consultation time beforehand.

DAY -20:
About 2 weeks into the wait, It got inflamed. At one point, it felt like someone installed a large stick into my jaw which was not fun. I had to get antibiotics to reduce the swelling. After a week of light antibiotics, everything was fine again.

DAY -12:
Went to the consultation with still 2 weeks remaining and he said I need to take 2 out. The bottom which has the problem, but also the top because it will start growing out as there is no counter to prevent it. The right side was fine even though he did kinda suggest we do all 4 to make things easier in the long run since it would "be hard to continue to floss back there". I turned that idea down. He said most people don't even use their wisdom teeth to chew but I have smaller than normal teeth so I guess we'll find out.

As the weeks go by, my anxiety grows and grows. I wish they just did it when they found out. All this wait is making my mind go crazy.

DAY 0:
Here comes the day, September 12th. While most of my friends are watching the intro of the new iphone, I am getting my teeth pulled. Went into the dentist office, everyone was nice as usual. The specialist nurse came and got me, rather attractive but I decided that was not going to stop me from acting like a baby. Besides, I love my wife and she can't stop me from being a big baby either.

She put an IV in my arm. (First time for that too.) felt the pinch and then a constant prick which actually turned out to be the tape trying to pull my arm hair out. Dentist came in, chatted a bit, he gave me the type IV anesthetic which doesn't knock me out, but makes me really tired, lose my memory, and not care about anything. I was thinking it might partially work but it also might be because I just wanted this over with and didn't get much sleep the night before.

My worst fear came true. I still remembered things! I remember talking about elephants (don't remember why). I remember them drilling and it started hurting so I let them know. I remember them constantly putting in and taking out a big rubber thing on the right side so they could continue to work on my left. Other than that... I guess I don't remember anything else. It felt very quick. They told me later that I was talking also about rockets... I don't recall that. They also pointed out that my top tooth next to my wisdom tooth, the filling fell out so we will have to make an appointment to put that back at some point.

I was put on a wheel chair. I waited for my loving wife to move the car up and help me inside and we went home. I went straight to bed. Had some medication and passed out for several hours. Woke up to get a drink. Notice blood had been dripping out the side of my mouth. Opened my mouth and there was a fair bit of blood in there. Drank some water, seemed to look a lot better. Touched my gums where my teeth uses to be, felt very very soft and had a string. Wife said there might be gause but I could not feel it and I didn't want to agitate it as it tasted bloody over there too and a bit swollen on the top. It doesn't really hurt, it is just not comfortable.

Eventually went downstairs, had my daughter read a book to me, had some Campbell's chicken noodle soup  (which is mostly water and noodles which they said was ok) and had another pill (is was hurting a bit more and over 4 hours later). Not much else eaten. Rather hungry but don't want to risk messing things up today.

Day 1:
Looks like my face is not swollen but was told that might happen tomorrow. Ate some soggy pasta and some alphagetti. Wife made me a milkshake after my whining. Ran out of aloe juice. Food does feel like it goes to the hole and my tongue tries to grab it and freaks out when I feel the stitch string. Very soft and raw on the bottom, some weird bumps on the top.

Doctor called. Reminded me that I should wash my mouth with salt water after each meal and before going to bed starting today. Also told me that my top tooth had very long roots so it was harder to get out and it might make for a longer recovery up there. Good to know I guess.

Putting ice on it for 20 minutes every once in a while. Not as much as they say but so far it seems fine as far as not being swollen. I do feel random pain sometimes around the area but only quick ones. I also feel much stronger pain if I make any sort of facial expression or talk too much so I guess I will try and avoid that. Dinner was pasta with meat sauce. I managed without pain, food kept going into the gap which was annoying. Everyone had corn on the cob but me...

Day 2:
Last night was a bit rough. Had a phantom tooth bugging me most of the night and every once in a while I would get a sharp pain in my mouth. I was very tired all day. I find I need the medication to keep the pain mostly away. Also found that I was very sensitive to cold drinks now which I hope is not permanent. Only some swelling which I guess is good. Need to use the ice packs more than I do. hopefully I can work (from home) tomorrow. I am going to bed early.

Day 7:
My two teeth are still missing. The drugs they gave me wreaked havoc on my body but I never swelled up so I guess that is good. Went to the dentist for a follow up and on the way some of the stitches came out of my mouth (they were supposed to I guess). I still make sure to try and only eat food on my right side for now. Milk shakes and soup are good but I am starting more regular stuff now. Still kinda feel like I miss them. I know I can fit more peanuts in my mouth like I chipmunk now if I want. I guess life goes one.

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