I was in the emergency room last night because of a tooth!
By mentalward
@mentalward (14690)
United States
November 5, 2009 5:36am CST
Nah, not as a patient. I had to take my son there because of something that one would not normally go to the hospital for. One of his wisdom teeth became abscessed and had him screaming in pain, all of a sudden.
It was our typical "Spend Time With Mom Day" which was anything but typical. My oldest son overslept, so he didn't come over. My youngest son was here with me, though. We went out for lunch which was really fun. He helped me clean up the garage, then we started watching a movie when he suddenly rushed to the bathroom to put Anbesol on his tooth, which he said had been bothering him for 2 days but was nothing to worry about.
Well, the time to worry came last evening. I had no idea it was so bad! He began howling and he's never been one to complain about pain. I called every oral surgeon in the area because that tooth simply has to come out. None were open. I did get one receptionist who said the dentist had gone for the day but I made an appointment for my son for this afternoon.
He couldn't wait, though. If you've ever had an abscessed tooth, you know what that pain is like. So, being the dutiful Mom that I am, I took him to the ER. Astonishingly, the doctor there said he sees people with tooth abscesses quite often and my son was not even the first he had seen that day!
So, after getting shot up with Novocaine and given antibiotics and Lortabs, I took him home. I'm sure he's pretty much floated through the night with those Lortabs! LOL
Have you had wisdom tooth problems? Is there anyone who has NOT had wisdom tooth problems? Mine were all impacted and had to be surgically extracted when I was 24. I never even saw them! My face swelled up so badly it was comical! Even in all the pain I was, I had to laugh at myself. So, what is your wisdom tooth story?
9 people like this
21 responses
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I didn't have a problem with my wisdom teeth, but I did have an abscessed tooth that led to having to have a root canal.
Now, my former roommate had to have an emergency wisdom tooth extraction - it was wrapped around a facial nerve.
Now, in repayment, when I was still suffering from the abscessed tooth, she "patted" me on the cheek - right on the tooth - nearly flattened me.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
6 Nov 09
As I told Hatley, she had NEVER done that before, I guess that swollen cheek just HAD to be touched.
And it really wasn't that bad an abscess, even I knew that, just a little one.
But, unlike my 2 roommates, I still have all my teeth - well except for those pesky wisdom ones. Seems my teeth grew in with pits to have to be filled because they became cavities quickly and the wisdom ones were doing the same thing.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
OUCH!!! I can't imagine that pain! I had an abscess once and if someone just LOOKED at me too hard it hurt more! Oh, man! Even though it's in the past, I still feel your pain!
I think teeth are one HUMUNGUS human flaw. They cause almost everyone problems and, of course, the inevitable dental bills. The only good thing I can think of about teeth is if you're a dentist. I asked my son if he wanted to go to dental school. LOL His visit today, a simple extraction since the emergency room put him on antibiotics and gave him pain pills, cost over $500.00! I also told my son to invest in a good pair of pliers in case another wisdom tooth has to come out. 
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (94053)
• United States
5 Nov 09
I had my wisdom teeth out when I was 23. I had been told the year prior that would need them out. However, I had no dental insurance, and had no idea how I would pay for it. But a year later the pain was quite intense and was getting unbearable. So I had them surgically removed (even though I didn't have insurance then either). It wasn't too bad. I didn't even need all the pain pills they gave me after I had had the surgery. Although yes, my face was swollen too.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
5 Nov 09
I had no insurance, either, when I had mine out, but it only cost $240.00 for all four! Well, that was quite awhile ago, too. My son's visit today cost over $500.00 for just one tooth! And, it didn't need to be cut out, it was already through the gum. I think part of that charge was for the "emergency" part of it. I hate the way they take advantage of our dilemmas. I know it didn't cost the doctor anywhere NEAR that much to remove the tooth. My son was only in with the dentist about 20 minutes! The dentist took a panoramic X-ray, which was not needed. That made me angry! A panoramic X-ray for one wisdom tooth? We weren't there for all four, just the one. Yeah, they take advantage of us, all right. 
2 people like this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
5 Nov 09
Oh, I forgot to mention that the $240.00 I paid for all four teeth also included general anesthesia. This doctor my son went to wanted over $500.00 just for local anesthesia and another $500.00 if he needed to use a general anesthesia! I despise dentists. I asked my son if he wanted to go to dental school. 
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
6 Nov 09
oh i hated my wisdom teeth.not only were they impacted,they were turning in all different directions and locking up my jaw.they had to knock me out and remove all four at once.
i was eating baby food the next three days..
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
9 Nov 09
yea,i had no choice,my jaw was stiff for like a week after-he said the fight was on to get them out.my face really didn't swell much,i was surprised.
i expected to wake up with pumpkin head.
they do usually put you out tho,so he should be fine if they remove them.
my face really didn't swell much,i was surprised.
i expected to wake up with pumpkin head.
they do usually put you out tho,so he should be fine if they remove them.@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I was put to sleep, too. I drank all my meals for the next week or so because I swelled up so badly. Did your face look like a basketball, too?
I never thought of baby food! That would have been great! Canned vegetable soup is also good when you can't open or close your jaws because you can squish the veggies against the roof of your mouth with your tongue. Just a little trick I learned back then. LOL I could fit my little finger through my front teeth but it wouldn't open or close any more than that for almost a week.
My oldest son's wisdom teeth are like you described yours, but his jaw hasn't locked, thank goodness. He keeps saying he wants them out but is more of a pain weenie than I am, and that's saying something!
I never thought of baby food! That would have been great! Canned vegetable soup is also good when you can't open or close your jaws because you can squish the veggies against the roof of your mouth with your tongue. Just a little trick I learned back then. LOL I could fit my little finger through my front teeth but it wouldn't open or close any more than that for almost a week.
My oldest son's wisdom teeth are like you described yours, but his jaw hasn't locked, thank goodness. He keeps saying he wants them out but is more of a pain weenie than I am, and that's saying something! 1 person likes this
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
6 Nov 09
Hi Marti.
You made me worry too much about this subject, when I first saw the email notification that says you were in the ER last night. But it turned out funny when I read the whole post, though I feel sad for your son. I hope he's fine by this time.
Now, this made me wonder, are you already living with your sons? Did you already packed your things out of the other house, away from your husband?
I think I already lost 2 teeth but not sure if those were the wisdoms. I remember when I was a kid, when my mom also brought me in the dentist and had one of them extracted and the other, if I can remember well, was when I was already married with my first wife.
I can't recall the pain, but I know that when someone is having toothache, it seems that there is nothing you can do but to strike it with a stone or a hammer. lol
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Hi Neil. I don't know if you've seen the movie "Castaway" with Tom Hanks but there was a scene in that movie where he was alone on a desert island and had an abscessed tooth. He had opened up some boxes that had washed ashore, one of them containing a pair of ice skates. He took one of the skates and jammed the blade into his mouth to get the tooth out and relieve the pressure and pain. Of course, it made him pass out because of the pain. My son said he had been thinking of doing just that to his tooth.
Well, it's out now. I almost fell over when they told me how much it cost: over $500.00! That is with a 10% discount for paying cash, too! Luckily, I had the money in a medical debit card because my son doesn't have that kind of money. (I STILL haven't received a thing from Social Security! One more week and I can call them again but I HOPE I get something before then!)
He told me this morning that it felt a little better since he started taking antibiotics yesterday. Also, those Lortabs didn't hurt, either! They're extremely strong pain killers. One would knock me out and he was taking two because of the pain. He's very glad it's all over now. I am, too!
I'm still here at the same place. I still haven't received any money and besides, I've invested too much time and money in this house. So, if anyone leaves, it will be him. I figured out how I could afford this house by myself and it is something I can do. I don't know what is going to happen, though, because he's been very good lately and keeping out of my hair. He's working on his invention of some kind of engine that runs solely on magnets and electromagnets. If he gets it working, we could potentially be billionaires. Wouldn't that be a hoot? I'd definitely stick around for that! LOL All my friends here in myLot would also benefit from his invention because I'd just have to share! 
@trisha27 (3494)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Aw I know that must have been really painful. Wisdom teeth pain are the worst to have. I actually was the same with my wisdom teeth like yours. Mine were impacted and had to be surgically removed as well and that in itself was painful as well. I have had also absessed teeth as well and those are most definitely painful. Like ow.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
"Ow" doesn't really describe the pain of an abscess! I'm sure you know that. My stepfather had an abscess and told the dentist that he didn't even want his mouth numbed, to go ahead and pull the tooth out. He said it felt BETTER than when the tooth was still there, even without Novocaine. I can't imagine having a tooth pulled without it!
I was asleep when they cut mine out. I guess you were, too?
@Joody1 (20)
• Canada
6 Nov 09
Ouch....tooth pain has got to be the worst thing there is. I had two wisdom teeth removed surgically a few years ago before they because a problem. I had to drive 2 1/2 hours to the clinic, have them removed and drive back home. Oh,,,,I didn't do the driving....LOL. I had pain pills and managed to keep the swelling down so it wasn't too bad. I have had an abscessed tooth and that pain was really bad....sure don't want to go down that road again.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Hi Joody. Welcome to myLot!
Tooth pain has to be the worse, you are so very right about that! My wisdom teeth were all surgically cut out all at once. I don't recommend that to anyone! Man, that hurt! And, I swelled up like a basketball. LOL The dentist gave me 2 Demerol tablets (100 mgs each... pretty strong stuff) and 4 Darvons which, to me, seem like nothing more than glorified aspirin. I am SO glad that wisdom teeth don't grow back!
Abscesses have to be the absolute worst pain one can endure. I'd put it above childbirth on the pain scale. The dentist asked my son what his pain level was on a scale of one to ten and he said "75". I know that pain. I had an abscess once, too. I hate teeth!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Nov 09
I had to have mine pulled just as they came through. I am sure that he was floating also. I hope he gets it taken care of soon. What a way to end the day.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
5 Nov 09
His appointment with the oral surgeon is 1:45 this afternoon so he'll feel better soon. Mine never came through. They all faced forward and pushed my other teeth together so badly that they became crooked. Once I had them cut out, my teeth went back where they belonged, at least the top ones did. My bottom teeth are still crooked from those darned wisdom teeth that I never even saw!
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
6 Nov 09
Oh the poor Boy I do know how bad that Pain is I used to get them all the time and I just wanted to smack against the wall and no matter what you take the Pain will not go
I am glad you took him to the ER
I had all my Wisdom Teeth removed at the age of 28 lol also surgically, maybe that explains all the Blond Moments????
I hope that your Son is ok now and feeling better
I hope that your Son is ok now and feeling better@mentalward (14690)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Uh oh! My son is blond, too! Geez, if this means he'll have more blond moments, I'm just going to have to lock him up somewhere. He's already pretty flaky. LOL
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Don't teeth suck? Well, especially wisdom teeth but, generally speaking, teeth almost always cause problems. And dentists are right there to take our money.
I assume he's feeling better today. I haven't heard from him. But, not hearing from him is better than getting a phone call asking me to take him back to the dentist or the ER, I suppose. He's probably been sleeping off and on today with those pain pills of his. He said he's swearing off sweets forever.
You may have a point about losing our wisdom teeth and blond moments. LOL I've had my share of them, especially since my teeth were removed.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
5 Nov 09
I hope your son gets some relief today, tooth pain is the most horrible I can imagine! I couldn't even watch Marathon Man and never will because of the dentist with the drill scene. 
My wisdom teeth were impacted, too, and I had surgery! That was when I was 17, though. I needed braces so they had to remove those teeth, put on the braces and then surgically break my jaw to re-align it or I would lose my hearing.
I didn't even know about my wisdom teeth, I guess we got them out before they bothered me.
My wisdom teeth were impacted, too, and I had surgery! That was when I was 17, though. I needed braces so they had to remove those teeth, put on the braces and then surgically break my jaw to re-align it or I would lose my hearing.
I didn't even know about my wisdom teeth, I guess we got them out before they bothered me.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
5 Nov 09
You sound like me, dragon! I was 24, but my wisdom teeth never poked through. They all faced forward and were pushing against my other teeth, crowding them until they got crooked. I had to have mine cut out surgically, too, all at once. I'll never recommend that to anyone! My face swelled up like a basketball and my mouth was so tiny in those fat cheeks. LOL I even laughed at myself, even though I was in a lot of pain and bruised pretty badly.
I didn't have to have my jaw broken, though. OUCH!!! I guess it's good to have that kind of stuff done when we're young because we tend to heal so much faster when we're young.
I hate teeth. All they do is cause problems. I have dry mouth, caused by my fibromyalgia. It has caused me all kinds of dental problems. I've had maybe 5 root canals and need at least 3 more right now. Before long, all my teeth will have crowns on them. Oh, well, at least they'll be easier to take care of. 
You know, this is strange. You, Lori and I all had our wisdom teeth taken out at one time. An Aries thing, maybe? Well, we're supposed to watch out for our heads because we're prone to head injuries (being the head-butting rams we are).
You know, this is strange. You, Lori and I all had our wisdom teeth taken out at one time. An Aries thing, maybe? Well, we're supposed to watch out for our heads because we're prone to head injuries (being the head-butting rams we are).1 person likes this
@jdyrj777 (6528)
• United States
7 Nov 09
I only had 3. Two had to be removed as soon as they came out. I still have one on the bottom. I was in my late 20's when they came out out one each year. They dentist took x-rays and said theres not a fourth one. He was surprized because he said my mouth is so small theres no room and that is why i was having problems. The one that never came in would have been a top one.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I think most people don't have the room needed by wisdom teeth. I read somewhere that they will probably disappear one day as part of our evolution. Our jaws have gotten too small for them. I just wish the teeth had disappeared first!
You are lucky to only have had three. At least that's one less problem for you!
I always took good care of my teeth and never even had a cavity until I was in my 20's. I didn't even see my wisdom teeth as they were all very impacted, well below the gumline. Mine were all surgically removed because, even though they never poked through the gum, they were moving and squishing all my other teeth together.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
6 Nov 09
Your poor son, he must have been in so much pain! I still have my wisdom teeth even though may years ago I was told by a dentist that they should come out! I went through a little bit of pain when they where coming through but nothing unbearable which is why I ignored my dentist’s advice and now I am in my late forties and my wisdom teeth are no problem whatsoever! 
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Wow, paula! You are one of those rare exceptions to the rule, I guess. Lucky you! Mine all had to be surgically removed because they were all impacted and facing forward, pushing my other teeth together. One of them kept getting infected so they were all removed.
I've never heard my son in so much pain before and he's had plenty of reasons to scream. He broke his thumb once where the bone had separated and moved apart. The doctor had to pull on his thumb and realign the bone so it would heal properly. He did this with no pain killers and my son never screamed. He never even groaned, so I know this tooth hurt him bad.
We went to the oral surgeon at 1:45 today. The tooth is out now and he's so relieved! I am, too. Only three more to go, now.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
6 Nov 09
Thank goodness for that!I hope the other three are not so bad! Geez...The thumb thing sounds mighty painful to me! Your son sounds like a brave soul! Hope all is well with him now!
@Dannayzay (23)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I'm 19 and I only had 1 wisdom tooth removed when I was 15, I have no idea why they just didn't take out all 4. On Monday of this week I began feeling pain in the right side of my mouth, and this intensified over the next couple of days to where I would have constant headaches/ear aches/sinus pressure all radiating from where my back molar was. Today I finally decided to go the dentist, and I got an x-ray clearly showing how my wisdom tooth was impacting my molar. When he looked in my mouth he saw that not only was it impacted under the gum, but it became infected and inflamed and swelled up that portion of my mouth! I didn't even feel like it was a huge ball of blood/puss. He told me to immediately go to the oral surgeon because my situation was considered an emergency. I asked him couldn't I wait to get this taken care of? He told me if I would of waited a couple more days, that spot would of swelled up so immensely that it would of closed my throat and killed me. Awesome!
So I get to the oral surgeons office, and what do they make me do...paperwork and make me wait 2 hours while I'm sitting there in agony. When I finally saw the doctor he basically said my sinus pressure was due to a totally unrelated infection, and I had a separate infection where the wisdom tooth was impacted. He put me on nitrous oxide and had to cut a slit/hole into my gum to alleviate the blood and crap that built up in there. I bled for almost 2 hours after that small procedure, but now I'm on antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Once they see it has cleared I go for the extraction surgery and get this ordeal over with. I was also prescribed Vicanin, but I will only use that when I cannot bare the pain, I do not want to develop an addiction to that stuff.
What a great time to have wisdom teeth problems, when I'm in the middle of my semester while studying to be a biomedical engineer, and running my own video production business!
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Teeth don't really care what time they start acting up, that's for sure! Having all four wisdom teeth taken out at once is nothing I would ever recommend. I had that done and my face swelled up so badly that I couldn't open OR close my mouth. I could fit my pinky finger between my teeth but nothing else for about a week. That really sucked!
It sure sounds like you've been through the wringer! My son had an abscess but the oral surgeon pulled the tooth, anyway. He didn't put stitches in because he said he wanted it to drain. It was pretty infected, too.
As for your sinus infection, I know perfectly well that it could have been caused by your tooth infection. That happened to me so I know it does happen. One of my upper molars was causing shooting pain to go right up into my head and I developed one sinus infection after another until that tooth was extracted.
I had a friend once who had a wisdom tooth extracted and she developed an infection so badly and so fast that her throat almost closed completely. She called me to help her get back to the dentist, then I took her to get antibiotics. She took her first one and it got stuck in her throat! The pharmacist told her to eat a piece of bread and it actually worked. The pill went down. It was close but she made it through her ordeal. I'm VERY glad that you didn't wait. I'm just sorry to hear that you had to wait 2 hours at the oral surgeon's office. No one should ever have to wait that long!
I hope things work out well for you and your infection clears up fast so that tooth can come out. Yes, watch out for those extra-strong pain killers! They can be nasty if neglected. Plus, what you have are so strong you won't be able to study or work on your business. You sound like an awfully busy person for 19! I'm impressed!
Oh, by the way, welcome to myLot. I hope you like it here. It's a pretty cool place to hang out and make a little money, too.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Ah, geez. I see you've been a member here for awhile now. Well, I hope you can find the time to spend some time here. If not, I can certainly understand why! You've really got a full plate!
@Dannayzay (23)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Yeah I know its not the smartest idea to get 3 wisdom teeth out at once, but it has to be done. I plan on transferring to Stevens Institute of Technology in January, so you can see why I want to get the wisdom teeth out before I get there. I can deal with pain pretty well (busted my lip open from a skateboard when I was 11, had 16 stitches, got my tonsils out a couple years ago). Your son's oral surgeon was smart to pull the abscess, better to get rid of it and not have to worry about the risk of having a problem later. Your friend who developed the horrible infection after a wisdom tooth extraction is very lucky, that must have been scary. I would flip out if I had a pill stuck in my throat!
Thank you for being impressed with my 19 year old motivation. Even on antibiotics and feeling like crap from the infection I will still do all of my work, because thats just the work ethic I've developed over the past year. The video production I do is kind of like my creative outlet where work is really fun for me. The engineering I'm studying for is where I can apply all my science/math skills to challenges and problems! When I was in the oral surgeons office today, I realized I will be redesigning and improving many of the instruments and equipment they use everyday. Its a very cool thing to look forward to. Thank you for your very nice response, I hope to be posting more around here!
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
5 Nov 09
hello, oh my that has gotta hurt am glad he's been taking careof. having a tooth ache is not really that cool, same goes with ear problem, it keeps you from sleeping properly.
.good thing it wasn't a permanent tooth@mentalward (14690)
• United States
5 Nov 09
Well, wisdom teeth are supposed to be permanent teeth but very few are too permanent. I've never known anyone who didn't have problems with those teeth since they're so far back in the mouth. I never even saw mine, they never came through the gums. They faced forward and pushed all my other teeth together until I had to have them removed. I'm glad his came through, at least. It just needs to be pulled.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I think most people end up having all their wisdom teeth out because they almost always get cavities. They are so far back in the mouth that it's hard to brush behind them. I hope you are able to get all yours out before they cause you any more problems.
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
30 Apr 11
Well, believe it or not, I think I was in my 30s before I ever got my wisdom teeth. I have never really had any problems with them. Just other teeth, and now due to being Diabetic etc. I continue to have problems with them breaking, etc. and nothing that can really be done due to lack of Dental insurance. But I can relate with Tooth pain and have had some horrible pain at times myself. What usually seems to work best for me, is Antibiotics when it gets too bad, and Orajel Swabs.
@trixyteddy (1070)
• India
7 Nov 09
I've seen my sisters problems with wisdom teeth. I've had all mine removed, but due to my very own fault, negligence. But if you're asking anyone about pains regarding teeth? Ask me. I know it all, and yet I've not learnt my lessons.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
12 Nov 09
My son takes good care of his teeth but still gets cavities all the time. The first dentist I took him to when he was little told me he has soft enamel. He had his teeth treated to help but he still has quite a few fillings.
I hate teeth. Even if we take excellent care of them, they can still cause us problems. And those problems are always expensive to fix! My son's one tooth extraction cost over $500.00! That's insane. I need 2 or maybe 3 root canals right now. I have dry mouth caused by fibromyalgia so it doesn't matter how good I take care of mine, I'm going to have problems.
I don't want dentures, though. It would be much easier and far less expensive in the long run but I do like my teeth. Guess I'll just have to keep handing my money over to the dentist. Sigh!
@mymelodake (1338)
• Philippines
6 Nov 09
Whoa, I hope your son is feeling better now, and I hope the abscessed tooth gets taken care of soon. As for me, my wisdom tooth story is that I only have 2 instead of 4 LOL. Yeah, two of my wisdom teeth are congenitally missing, and although it's pretty common, I didn't really know that before, so I always thought it was weird that they were missing. Well it was just as well that they were missing because I wore braces and so did my sister. Because of that, she had to have all 4 of her wisdom teeth removed. I'm not sure if they were all impacted or only some, but since wisdom teeth growth can ruin the formation of the teeth (especially since our parents already spent so much getting them fixed with braces), my mom decided to just have hers removed. As for me, the one in the lower left came out just fine since I had 2 premolars pulled out from the bottom row of teeth, while the other one was missing. The one on the upper right was the problem, it was positioned right on top of the last molar, so it couldn't come out and it was starting to become impacted. Good thing my orthodontist had my last molar pulled out to give way to that one. I was so relieved that I didn't have to get them surgically removed!
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Mine were all surgically removed at the same time. That sucked! I'd love to know why we, as humans, still get wisdom teeth since there is usually not enough room for them in our mouths. They almost always cause problems. You are so lucky to only have had two! Oh, what I would have given to only have had two!
Mine were all impacted, facing forward under the gums. They never poked through, but caused me all kinds of problems. I still have very crooked bottom teeth because of them. Luckily (I guess), I had a space between my top front teeth and the wisdom teeth, pushing foward, moved them together so I no longer have that gap. LOL
My son is feeling much better now. He's very relieved that it's all over but the healing. I am, too! I said to him, "This sucks!" He replied, "Try being me!" I told him that I know it hurts him because he's going through it but, as his mother, it's my duty to feel his pain. LOL So, we're both very glad it's over.
He's still on the antibiotics but I doubt he'll need too many more of those pain killers. I'm sure he'll be sore from the extraction but nowhere near as bad as before the tooth came out.
@mymelodake (1338)
• Philippines
10 Nov 09
Wow, all 4 at the same time! My sister had hers removed two at a time I think. I'm glad hear your son is feeling better.
My sister had hers removed two at a time I think. I'm glad hear your son is feeling better. @JenInTN (27514)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I remember seeing cartoon when I was little of someone with a towel wrapped around their head with a big swollen face and you think it's comical asnd exaggerated until...you actually see or experience it. It's amazing how swollen an abcess can get...poor boy. Tooth aches are so painful. They can make you rush to the ER if you get a bad one. I'm glad your getting that sucker out for him. Take care.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Nov 09
You made me remember a picture I saw of Laurel and Hardy where Laurel has a handkerchief wrapped around his jaw/head. I think there was an actual reason for that... like a poltice or something. Maybe I should have done that with my son. LOL
Anyway, the tooth is history now... and so is $514.00! I can't believe that oral surgeon charged so much. AND, that was with a 10% discount for paying in cash! I had a tooth pulled about 6 years ago that cost $175.00. I thought that was high! Geez, dental costs have risen about 200% in 6 years. I don't know of anyone else's salary that has risen that much, especially these days. Dentists sure do take advantage of our pain!
I guess my son is okay today. I haven't heard from him since I dropped him off at his house. He was very relieved once the tooth was out and I sure can't blame him. He's usually pretty quiet when he's in pain but he was literally screaming! That's why I had to take him to the ER Wednesday night. The doctor who treated him said it's not that uncommon, either. He said my son was the second person that day he had seen with an abscessed tooth. I'm just glad they could help him.
@VANILLAREY (1470)
• India
12 Nov 09
I did have root canal done on my tooth. It was a bit painful and very frustrating. I certainly would not want to go through it again. I remember I had toothache when I was a child. It was from eating too much chocolate and not brushing properly.
I certainly would not want to go through it again. I remember I had toothache when I was a child. It was from eating too much chocolate and not brushing properly.@mentalward (14690)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I've had about 4 root canals already and need at least 2 more right now. I hate teeth. I think they're probably the biggest flaw we have as humans. Dentists love teeth, obviously, because I've never seen a poor dentist. They charge so much money! My mother was friends with our dentist and that man had MONEY! He couldn't say that his overhead is what made him charge so much money, either. No one lives like he did if they don't have way more money than they need! I wish more dentists could see that the average person just can't afford their fees.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
13 Nov 09
I know that many dentists won't pull a tooth before the abscess is cleared up first but this oral surgeon my son saw pulled the tooth the day after we were in the hospital. My son had already been on the antibiotics for almost 24 hours so they did have a chance to begin working.
I think my son was in so much pain that this dentist thought it best to pull the tooth even before the infection was cleared up. My son told me the next night that the pain went away the night after the tooth was pulled! He's had no problems at all and his mouth has healed already, although he still has a hole in his gum where the tooth was. That will fill in over time.
