Wisdom tooth

[Myown]

I have a wisdom tooth that probably should have been pulled a long time ago but it never bothered me, so I didn't. So anyway, it still doesn't bother me, but for some reason I kept thinking about this stupid tooth. Went to the dentist and they did ex-rays and he said I didn't have cavities and all was well, but that the tech didn't get a good angle on the wisdom tooth and to play it safe, he would ex-ray again. So they ex-rayed that tooth again.

Winds up there IS a tiny cavity and he said for that reason he will pull it because tx can cause it to get worse and then maybe get infected. I said - Okay then thats why I had that ~feeling~ about my tooth and made the appointment...

He wants to talk to my hep doc to see if he would want me on antibiotics for the dental procedure. After I thought about it, I don't want to talk antibiotics if I don't need them. Its not like there is an infection. Its a tiny cavity and I have no other cavities - some fillings, but no cavities.

Has anyone been in this position and did the doc make you take antibiotics for it? I feel antibiotics are prescribed too often for things and I don't want to take them unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.

I have to run, but I'll check back later to see if anyone knows if I should take them or if their doc had them take the antibiotics for the same procedure (keep in mind that I don NOT have an infection- so to me, I don't see any reason for the antibiotics.)
Thanks,
MO

[medicmommy]

The reason for the antibiotics is because your dentist wants to pull the tooth! Wisdom teeth are HUGE and leave a big hole behind...(Mine even needed stitches..) An open hole in your gum is a direct path to your blood stream, and can even invite an infection into your heart...wisdom teeth normally get removed when they are threatening to become "impacted"...If your tooth isn't causing any problems, you may consider just getting the cavity filled...
Are you currently on treatment? I've heard too, that your mouth PH changes and can accelerate cavities...Especially if you are one of the unfortunates that vomit frequently...If you are on tx, and if your neutrophils are low, I'd take the antibiotic just for getting a filling (because of the needle pokes and the gum line trauma)...and I would wait to have the tooth pulled until I was done and recovered from tx...But that's just me and my 2 cent's worth...Good luck...

[TeeVee36]

I totally agree with Medicmommy and think you should wait on having the toothe extraction.  

I have paper cuts on my fingers that take forever to heal and an on-going sinus, bloody, dry nose for going on 6 months due to my inability to fight infection.  This inability is of course directly related to tx and my low WBC count.  I take 3 injections of Neupogen a week for 10 months and my WBC still remains low.  I don't know what your labs are and if your WBC is low etc. but I do know that a wisdom toothe extraction can be major surgery.  My 18 yr old daughter just had all four pulled (3/18) over spring break and she got stitches and has to clean out the holes every time she eats and took antibiotics.  Taking the antibiotics IS a requirement after such a procedure...

Good Luck to you!

[nygirl7]

Myown,

Treatment can accelerate any dental decay already in your mouth at a simply staggering rate (which is why they advise us to take care of it beforehand).  I didn't listen and the few cavities I had became root canals almost overnight it seemed.  Teeth started to crack and break it is horrible.

I always have to take antibiotics when I have a tooth pulled because I have a heart murmur but in your situation I think they are completely warranted.  You know during treatment how dehydrated we become and how dry our mouths are and how it promotes germs and bacteria so VERY much...with that in mind - take the antibiotics.  It is a preventative for a problem that could be pretty serious in the end.

[mikesimon]

Why doesn't he just fill the cavity? I never heard of pulling a tooth because of a tiny cavity. My dentist doesn't work like that. I lost one wisdom tooth because I injured it but the other three are fine and dandy and I intend to keep them. I don't understand this pull happy approach. You seem to have questionable medical care on the basis of all of your criticism of your doctors not listening or not "getting it" or not researching enough and here comes a guy who wants to pull your tooth because of a "tiny cavity" and you're not complaining or questioning it at all. I'm confused. Mike

[Myown]

Thanks guys. But I don't think I am going to take the antibiotics the more I think about it. Doctors hand them out like they are candy. They aren't always necessary in every case I would think, but dunno..I'll talk to him more about it and see what he says cause the more I think about it, I don't want to take them. If it looks like there is a problem developing after the extraction, then I would take the antibiotics. I'll see what he says I guess. I don't know what I should do. But thanks for your input - I'll weigh it all.

mike, he isn't pull happy. I asked him to pull it and not until the second ex- ray where he saw a cavity did he see any reason to pull it. If it wasn't a wisdom tooth of course he would only fill it. He wouldn't pull a regular tooth, nor would I let him.

The tooth never bothers me, but I sometimes would wonder if thats why I have a sinus problem at times on that side.

When he had the tech ex-ray it the second time - first time it was my fault she didn't get a good pic cause the tooth is so far back that its hard to ex-ray and she was making me gag going so far back AND.. the tooth is a project to get the toothbrush back there too. I don't need this extra tooth in the back of my mouth. I don't know why I never had it pulled before now. So Monday's the big day.

I thought I was the only one on the planet that still had their wisdom teeth. This one probably just made in in under the wire of not being impacted because it is very tight back there.

MO

[mikesimon]

Keep the tooth. You desperately need all of the little bit of wisdom you have. Why do you think it's called a wisdom tooth? Gee, I thought you'd know better than to start pulling your teeth out for no real reason - especially one with some wisdom in it! Mike

[Trish77]

I don't think wisdom has anything to do with your teeth despite the fact they are called wisdom teeth.  Case in point ... I still have ALL mine.  ;->

Trish :)

[Myown]

Reach over and smack mike for me - you're sitting closer.

MO

[Trish77]

I'm thinking that would just encourage him  .. like he needs any.  :)

You're pre-tx just barely still, yes?  Good luck with whatever you're going to do with your tooth.

Trish

[ladybug52]

I had two wisdom teeth removed while I was in the Air Force. The thought of how they sterilized instruments is......scary! I kept my other wisdom teeth for several years, (like 10) because the dentist said that as long as I could keep them clean  there was no reason to pull.
That to me is the key.....when it becomes difficult to angle your toothbrush (you have to 1/2 way shut your mouth to get the brush back that far to the back) and the tooth starts to decay.....it's time to get rid of it!
Doesn't take any wisdom to figure that out......heres an excerpt :

"Potential problems caused by the presence of properly grown-in wisdom teeth include infections caused by food particles easily trapped in the jaw area behind the wisdom teeth where regular brushing and flossing is difficult and ineffective. Such infections may be frequent, and cause considerable pain and medical danger."
If you don't feel comfortablt taking antibiotics, don't....they are so overused and that's why we're having the increase in super-bugs that are more and more resistant to antibiotics.
I just recovered from c-dif. Look that up on Wikepedia if you want another reason NOT to use antibiotics. I was on clindamycin which wiped out my good bacteria, and had to treat with flagyl, and then vancomycin.....whew!
Take care.....
hugs,
Bug

[Myown]

I'm thinking that would just encourage him  .. like he needs any.  :)
---------------------------------------
HAHA,,,he definitely doesn't need encouragement - he thinks he's it cause he has all his wisdom teeth and no desire to pull them just for the heck of it as I am doing. There is something to be said about someone who feels a need to get a tooth pulled that has really nothing wrong with it AND also something to be said about the dentist that agrees with that person. Jeesh, I am such a Trail-blazer,,,,why I bet in no time, people on the forum will be getting perfectly good teeth pulled for no apparent reason. I set trends all the time.

Yes I am pre loading with Riba and taking Alinia also and will be starting soon. Actually my first shot is on my birthday, so hopefully SVR next year will be my birthday present.

Thanks for the well wishes.

Good luck to you too!

MO

[Myown]

Yes bug, my tooth is so far back that it is hard to reach. And antibiotics are very dangerous and they lower our immune system due to the killing off of the friendly flora as you found out for yourself.

Thanks bug!! Good to see you. I miss you not being on forum, but I don't blame you for wanting to move on and plus with work I know you must be very busy.

Missya,
MO

[ladybug52]

Changed jobs, back to my home base 3 miles from home. It's awesome! I have more time, but I'm still not used to all this freedom. Not being in a car 3 hrs a day has made me wonder how I tolerated it as long as I did.
Hopefully I can get on here more...
Hugs,
Bug

[Myown]

So glad that you don't have that long trip to work anymore. I don't know how you did it!

Btw, I just cancelled my tooth extraction and will only be getting it filled. I feel like such a follower of the crowd now though - no more trailblazer. With the extra time slot I have on Monday due to not having the tooth pulled, I made an appointment with a surgeon to have my pinky finger cut off - I have a hang nail. I better say "j/k" cause after the wisdom tooth saga, some might not know I am kidding!

gotta run, seeya later.
hugs,
MO

[Trish77]

Just make sure you keep that middle finger ... it's going to come in handy during treatment, I'm sure. ;->

Trish

[Isobella]

Ok, things to add to my "To Do" list before treating:

Fill and/or pull all back teeth
Remove pinkies
Excercise middle finger

Did I miss anything?? :-)

Y'all are too funny!!!

Izzy

[ladybug52]

So glad to play the devils advocate for you and convince you to follow the crowd! Need any help getting that finger removed? I saw several movies where they remove body parts and I have perfomed a lot of wound care so I think your pinkie will be in good hands with me...
BTW, I really didn't know NYMark so I didn't comment on that thread. I saw his posts but I was out of the loop when he was on..
Hugs,
Bug

[Myown]

So guys, I'm glad to hear Bug can help me IF I decide to get my finger removed. Elaine, I will wear a glove and stuff it with tissue, no one will know the difference!! Trish, I hear ya, lol but unfortunately the word can still be used if I don't do the mime. I am not one to swear, but I did find my language at times was a wee bit different last tx - I am going to try a little harder the this next time though. Isobella, don't follow my advice - keep all your teeth and fingers!!

MO

[annie404]

Glad to hear that you are keeping your tooth and other appendages! They come in handy-and you never know when you will need them! :-)

annie

[Myown]

Thanks annnnnie!!!!!!!!!!!!! So true tooooo!!
MO

[Isobella]

Glad to hear that as I have always been attached to my teeth.....fingers, too! hehe!

Isobella