Wisdom Tooth (Third Molar) Removal Part 2

Assalam / Greetings.

Remember what happened on 18th April? Well, you can read it here.

After less than an hour, the local anesthesia's effect began to fade, leaving me in PAIN. I was so hungry but I cannot eat! I could barely open my jaw!

Anyway I searched for some information, so basically this is how I looked after myself after the procedure:-

1. Avoid hot/warm food/drinks for a couple of days to promote blood clotting. Iced drinks were the BEST!
2. Take soft, liquid diet like soup, porridge, milk to avoid moving the jaw so much.
3. NO GARGLING AT ALL for the first 24 hours. Which means, no toothbrush too! This is important to promote blood clot, which will ensure good healing and prevent infection.
4. Avoid heavy/strenuous activities for at least a couple of days. (I rested for the whole week!)
5. Apply ice packs over the cheek to reduce swelling and pain. (This is so helpful!)
6. Take the pain medications as prescribed (I did not, because I'm still breastfeeding so I would prefer to avoid medications unless REALLY necessary)
7. If bleeding occurs, put the gauze as supplied by the doctor and bite on it over the affected area for at least 20 minutes to ensure blood clot is formed nicely.

So why did I say my choice was awful?

Because, having a baby means having to breastfeed him, carry him, having him wanting to hold you, cuddle you and punching your swollen cheek! 

BIG OUCH!

The swelling started a few hours after surgery. and really, I just wanted to sleeeeeeeep afterwards. But, having a baby (with husband not around) means, not being able to simply sleep. I was counting the days and telling myself, it will get better. 

It WILL and it DID.

So, cheer up mommas. We have got to do what we have got to do, right?

Finally, the appointment to remove my stitches was one week later. So, after the removal, the lady dentist said I can totally do anything I want. LOL. What a relief. It took me at least another week to exercise my jaw to function normally again due to stiffness after resting for the whole week. Phew.

I'm done. I hope I don't need any more of this surgery. Aamiin!

Moral of the story : Go and get yourself checked before you became pregnant!

Wisdom Tooth (Third Molar) Removal Part 1

"Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal"

source :  www.webmd.com/oral-health/wisdom-teeth

On the 18th of April 2016 I got to experience something new. Truthfully, I regretted waiting until I have a child to finally get it over and done with.

From here

My first third molar erupted sometimes in 2011 if I'm not mistaken. The process was slow, and I noticed earlier on that I would definitely need to remove it because of its awkward position. Cleaning it was difficult, and every now and then the tooth would bite into my cheek and cause pain and swelling. Prior to getting married, I have already planned to visit a dentist to remove it, but as usual, I procrastinated.

Bad choice!

Finally after my son turned 10 months old, I went to a dentist and was referred to the specialist clinic after they took an x-ray of the tooth. On the day of the 'mini operation', I had breakfast and went there with my sisters and son. The dentist was really nice. He asked me what was my problem, listened to my answers and explained every procedure to me simply but with enough information to make me feel confident despite the tremor in my fingers.

So this is what happened:-

1. Signing consent form once explanation given - I get to ask questions and my wuestions was answered nicely.
2. Cleaning the mouth.
3. Giving of local anethesia.
4. Waiting for anesthesia to work.
5. Cutting open the gum.
6. Drilling to cut off the bony parts (according to the dentist)
7. Removal of tooth.
8. Stitching.
9. Gargling one last time. After that I was not allowed to gargle for the next 24 hours.
10. Biting into gauze to promote blood clot for at least 1 hour.

Everything was settled within 1 hour. I was then discharged with paracetamol as painkiller and a bottle of mouth gargle to be used three times daily after the first 24 hours.

So, why did I say my choice was an awful one?

to be continued...