Wisdom Teeth

[Eastender]

Hi my daughter had 2 wisdom teeth removed on thursday.  One of them was still not through the gum, so we knew that there was going to be some pain, after the removal.  She had to go into hospital to have them removed, since then the she has been in agony, swollen face, sore throat, earache.  We managed to see a locum doctor on saturday, who prescribed a course of antibiotics.  So I know thease take a least 24 hours to kick in.  She has been taking Ibrufofen for the pain as the pain killers from the hospital, do not agree with her, they were co-codamol and very strong giving her an terrible upset stomach to add to the pain she already has.  I am thinking about about going back to the hospital tomorrow, as I dont know what else to do.  I know that there is discomfort having these wisdom teeth out, but she has been so bad.  Anyone else had the same trouble, will this pain subside, anything else I can do to help with the pain she is having. thanks

[netibiza]

Yes I also had dreadful trouble after having 2 wisdom teeth out.  I bought some numbing spray (usually for football injuries) from the chemist and kept spraying my face.  This was back in the late 60's and I'm surprised things havent improved in hospitals.  It will take a while but will clear.  Good luck.  Surprisingly when the doctor took out the stitches there was no pain at all and I didn't even know he was doing it, as I had begged him not to touch it as was so painful. The practise nurse was fat and was leaping around trying to swat an imaginery wasp.  It helped.

[lynb]

Hi, sorry to hear about your daughter's pain. Try Ibuprofen and paracetamol together (2 of each). They work in different ways and this combination is the only thing which helps when I have bad sinus pain. Hope she feels better soon.

[jno]

Take the painkillers with food, if she isn't already, it helps to stop them upsetting the stomach.

[The Tiggster]

Hi Eastender, I'm feeling the pain for your daughter. I had all 4 wisdom teeth removed under general anaesthetic  a few years back & none of mine were through the gum either. I wasn't allowed to take ibuprofen as I have asthma so had to survive on paracetamol. I did find that ice on my face, or a wet cloth that had been in the freezer helped some.

She will suffer for a few days yet, until the swelling starts goes down, but some brusing may take over a week to fully come out. I wouldn't hesitate to contact the hosptial again for some advice.

[Firiffic]

I had all four of mine removed at the same time under general anaesthetic and I was very bad for about a couple of weeks. One of mine hadn't surfaced either.   I agree with lynb about the ibuprofen and paracetamol combination. Be careful not to exceed the recommended dose.  I take this daily for my condition.  You could also ask your doctor for a stomach drug that helps with the kind of reactions your daughter is having.  I don't know where you are but I take a drug called Pantaprazole and also Metaclopramide and they help with the side effects of the ibuprofen and also the paracetamol/codeine combination I take at night. If in any doubt contact your doctor or go back to the hospital.

Also I found lemonade ice blocks very soothing and lots of soft foods like very well mashed potatoes, soup that's not too hot, yoghurt with the seeds sieved out (I like boysenberry flavour) things like that.  I found it less painful to sleep sitting up in bed as lying down caused unbelievable throbbing pain.

I really do empathise with her and hope she will be feeling better soon.

[Mrs_Pegasus]

I had 4 impacted wisdom teeth taken out a couple of years ago.

One of the reasons for pain and discomfort after the op was from 'dry socket'.  This is where food can get trapped in the socket and doesnt allow a clot to form to heal the would.  I was also given mouth wash which I had to use throughout the day for the first week, this kept the socket clean and helped heal.

All the pain killers in the world will not ease the pain if there is food in the socket.  I would certainly get back to the hospital for the dental dept to have a look at it.

[jean88]

It helps the gums to heal if she rinses her mouth with salty water, just some table or sea salt with water.

It will take a while for her to heal.

[louadams6]

a pharmacist told me to take paracetamol every four hours and ibuprofen every four hours so you are taking painkillers every two hours if you get my drift and it really helped me. But doesnt co-codamol contain paracetamol? I personally would stop those and just give her normal paracetamol alongside the ibuprofen. You can also get anbesol (think thats how its spelt) from the pharmacy which numbs the gum (but only briefly) but you can use it often. Hope she is ok