Wisdom teeth worries

I recently realised my lower wisdom teeth are decaying (they are impacted with flaps of gum over so almost impossible to notice) and I have to get them out on Thursday. All well and good but I have a major international trip (3 flights inc a 12 hour one to Asia), leaving at 6am on Tuesday, so 5 days later. I really need to get the teeth out asap, but I'm so worried about the short time before I go on holidays. I did tell my dentist I was going away and he didn't seem bothered but he might have thought I was going to Tenerife or something. I'm a bit worried I could have problems on the flight (aside from not being able to chew being mad awkward) or when I'm there. I had my upper ones out a while ago and not a bother, but they weren't impacted and it was a simple job. Should I just stop worrying about it and hope it's gona be OK? I can't cancel my trip so the only option is cancelling the dentists and as I am moving over to the UK in September, as well as having another operation, it's never a good time for me. There's always something. Has anyone had this done and has any advice?

suzieb

Hi,

I thought that you had to wait two weeks to fly after getting extractions done but could be just upper teeth that root sits near sinus?

Anyway, As someone that got all four impacted wisdom teeth out last year I would not recommend getting them done this Thursday if you have to fly on Tuesday. It takes at least 5 days for you to start to feel yourself again after getting a General(if you are) and lower teeth removed as they have to slit your gum to get them out if they are not fully erupted.

Its really bad timing to have both so close together and if it was me I'd cancel one or the other. If you decide not to get wisdom teeth out thurs maybe ask dentist for prescription for anti-biotic incase you get infection on your travels.

Oh and apologise to dentist for short notice cancellation as I'd imagine if you were getting done under a general they won't be too happy with one days notice! :eek:

I won't be getting a general, no. I always get locals for everything unless it's really super major surgery. I know it's bad timing but it always is! I guess it would be worse to fly so far though. I only got referred last week so I haven't had much time to think it over. I think I'll ring tomorrow and see what they say. My friend works in a hospital and see loads of these ops and had me convinced it would be grand but it seems very risky now. On the other hand, the bad taste/bad breath is driving me insane and I want em out ASAP. Agh!

Rang the dentist and they said there's no real reason not to go ahead as I'm not having a general or anything. Eeep! fingers crossed.

suzieb

Oh really? Thats good you'll be all sorted before your travels so.

Just imo I'd say you might be in bit of pain for few days so make sure ya stock up on nurofen+(if thats what you use,i found them best) before heading off. Nothing worse than having to attend a dentist in foreign country if you have probs on arrival!

Best of luck with extractions

Well I'll ask the dentist tomorrow, I suppose they'll want to know what they're dealing with (X rays etc need to be done) before they can tell me for sure. I'm super nervous about it, dreading anything going wrong. I guess I just have to hope for the best.