My 18 year old is getting 4 impacted wisdom teeth pulled this week. The surgeon said he would give him a script for percocet for pain. Im not concerned for ME, I am however concerned as to how my son will respond to them. My husband will hold onto them and give him as prescribed. I just hope my son does not "'take a liking to them". I know the pain will be immense the first few days so hopefully all he will be getting out of them is pain relief. Anyone have this experience with their kids?
Donna, My two girls had their wisdom teeth pulled a couple of years back along with my nephew who lived with me. The doctor was only gonna give them vicoden but the addict in me conned him into giving them percs. They maybe took one or two of them and that was it. They had no problems at all and guess who got all the leftover pills. Don't worry it will be o.k. Shantel
Doona- Same as Shantell with my brother. A day or two..at most..no problem..only a couple of pills too.
Thanks. My husband will dole them out and I dont think he will (the doctor) give more than a few days worth anyway. I just dont want him to catch a high from them that he will want to cahse again somehow. And as I said, while I dont want him to suffer in pain, I hope thats all he gets from them - pain relief. Im sure I wouldnt think twice about this if I didnt have experience with them. People like my husband (and hopefully my son) know how to use these things properly. Not me and Im grateful I know that about myself.
donna2
my son had 4 wisdom teeth pulled for which the surgeon said he would prescirbe vicodin, i freaked out worried about him becoming an addict, he was 17 at the time. the surgeon knowing my concerns "downgraded" him to tylenol#3 saying that its not as strong as vicodin. after surgery my son took the tylenol #3 for the first day and by day 2 he was hardly in any pain at all so guess who took the rest? my son is still angry when he thinks that i denied him pain relief because of my addiction.jewels
my son had 4 wisdom teeth pulled for which the surgeon said he would prescirbe vicodin, i freaked out worried about him becoming an addict, he was 17 at the time. the surgeon knowing my concerns "downgraded" him to tylenol#3 saying that its not as strong as vicodin. after surgery my son took the tylenol #3 for the first day and by day 2 he was hardly in any pain at all so guess who took the rest? my son is still angry when he thinks that i denied him pain relief because of my addiction.jewels
All three of my boys have had thier wisdom teeth out since I've been clean and I worried about thier reaction to the pain pills as well. The older two didn't like them, made them sick. Unfortunately, the younger one thought they were awesome. Great. He knows my situation though and we had a pretty good talk about it. That's all I can do, is talk. Hope your child does ok and isn't in too much pain.
I too had all four wisdom teeth (impacted) removed at once the doctor only gave me tylenol#3 which I managed with. Even after two of them developed dry socket Now do you want to talk PAIN!!! He still only gave me tylenol#3. Doesn't it seem that doctors prescibe much higher drugs for everything now??
Roxy
Roxy
Hi,
I'd first try extra strength exedrin or aleve. Then if they don't work, then use the percocet if needed. I've had alot of dental work done since getting clean/sober and honestly haven't found the need for a narcotic. The dentists and oral surgens always give that stuff out, but it's rarely really needed. Anyway, just a suggestion.
Take care,
Bob
I'd first try extra strength exedrin or aleve. Then if they don't work, then use the percocet if needed. I've had alot of dental work done since getting clean/sober and honestly haven't found the need for a narcotic. The dentists and oral surgens always give that stuff out, but it's rarely really needed. Anyway, just a suggestion.
Take care,
Bob
Donnatwo
I used to work at Children's hospital in O.R. and have seen a lot of wisdom teeth extracted..
The majority of the time there wont be much pain..uncomfortable..yes..swelling yes...the only patients that got prescribed more then Tylenol or stronger Tylenol #3, are the patients that specifically ask for it cus they KNOW about it, and like it...so this particular Dr must just make giving out narcotics routine in his practise...
The only time that it can be really really painful is when you get a dry socket...dry sockets are really really painful...
To avoid a dry socket, you SHOULD NOT rinse out the clot that needs to form...for the first 24-36 hours you can NOT use a straw ( sucking motion ) NO rinsing..irrigating etc...( no smoking if a patient smokes..smokers are more prone to dry socket and more prone to post op problems...) NO Hot or hard crunchy foods...warm soups etc are okay...
He will probably be sent home with extra gauze and will be biting on gauze to keep pressure on the area and keep bleeding to a minimal. A bit of blood in the saliva the following day or so is expected and normal....
The bottom wisdom teeth are sitting in much denser bone ( the Mandible) and thus are the harder ones to extract...the top ( the Maxilla bone ) have less bone due to the sinus present so they often pop out pretty easily...bruising, swelling and discoloration is common
Is it fun? No...Is it uncomfortable the first couple days?..yes...but for most patients that have no prior narcotic use, Advil, or Tylenol is enough to get them through....
Most importantly for your son...dont let him rinse out that clot...keep him lying down the first day..no running around etc...
The Surgeon may use sutures but many dont...if the dont they fill the hole with gelfoam which slows down the bleeding and facilitates healing...and if there are sutures they will either use cat gut sutures which dissolve on their own, or silk, which must be removed 7-8 days post operatively...
At that time he would get instructions that he CAN start irrigating as food gets impacted in the socket and it feels weird...a plastic syringe will help flush the food out ( salt H2O in syringe is good ) but again ONLY once he as been checked post op, and the healing is well under way.
Dry socket pain can make a grown man cry so i cant stress those precautions enough....
Im sure it will go well but if you have any questions and you cant find your Dentist, i'd be happy to answer them if i can..
If he does get the narcotic, good for you for setting up the precautions with your hubby giving them out and other then that...you know the signs to look for..
hugs
Ali
I used to work at Children's hospital in O.R. and have seen a lot of wisdom teeth extracted..
The majority of the time there wont be much pain..uncomfortable..yes..swelling yes...the only patients that got prescribed more then Tylenol or stronger Tylenol #3, are the patients that specifically ask for it cus they KNOW about it, and like it...so this particular Dr must just make giving out narcotics routine in his practise...
The only time that it can be really really painful is when you get a dry socket...dry sockets are really really painful...
To avoid a dry socket, you SHOULD NOT rinse out the clot that needs to form...for the first 24-36 hours you can NOT use a straw ( sucking motion ) NO rinsing..irrigating etc...( no smoking if a patient smokes..smokers are more prone to dry socket and more prone to post op problems...) NO Hot or hard crunchy foods...warm soups etc are okay...
He will probably be sent home with extra gauze and will be biting on gauze to keep pressure on the area and keep bleeding to a minimal. A bit of blood in the saliva the following day or so is expected and normal....
The bottom wisdom teeth are sitting in much denser bone ( the Mandible) and thus are the harder ones to extract...the top ( the Maxilla bone ) have less bone due to the sinus present so they often pop out pretty easily...bruising, swelling and discoloration is common
Is it fun? No...Is it uncomfortable the first couple days?..yes...but for most patients that have no prior narcotic use, Advil, or Tylenol is enough to get them through....
Most importantly for your son...dont let him rinse out that clot...keep him lying down the first day..no running around etc...
The Surgeon may use sutures but many dont...if the dont they fill the hole with gelfoam which slows down the bleeding and facilitates healing...and if there are sutures they will either use cat gut sutures which dissolve on their own, or silk, which must be removed 7-8 days post operatively...
At that time he would get instructions that he CAN start irrigating as food gets impacted in the socket and it feels weird...a plastic syringe will help flush the food out ( salt H2O in syringe is good ) but again ONLY once he as been checked post op, and the healing is well under way.
Dry socket pain can make a grown man cry so i cant stress those precautions enough....
Im sure it will go well but if you have any questions and you cant find your Dentist, i'd be happy to answer them if i can..
If he does get the narcotic, good for you for setting up the precautions with your hubby giving them out and other then that...you know the signs to look for..
hugs
Ali
Hi,
Ali, that was an awesome post. Very informative. And yes dry socket is horrible. I actually had that once, it hurt worse than the toothache did.But being an addict ofcourse any time I had a tooth pulled while I was in my active addiction I claimed dry socket for the meds. That was always good for about 3 or 4 additional scripts on top of the two I'd get just for the extraction. I'm so grateful I don't have to play that game anymore. Anyway, also I didn't mean to imply ALL dentists gave out narcotics like candy. I shoulda clarified a bit. The Oral Surgen I went to did, the scripts were already typed out, he just signed and dated them.
A patient that went there for an extraction didn't even have to ask, it was just given to you on the way out. You'd pay, then they'd hand you a bunch of extra gauze and a script for 20 percocet. I still used that surgen after I got clean but always took someone with me so I wouldn't be tempted to take the script. In fact Gina went there a couple weeks ago. That guy really is great at what he does, I've never felt a thing getting any work done by him. And I always opted to stay awake. I also make sure these days to follow directions, unlike when I was using. I used to light a smoke as soon as I left the office, I don't do that anymore. That dry socket is horrible and being clean now I wouldn't wanna chance getting it.
Anyway, have a great night.
Take care,
Bob
Ali, that was an awesome post. Very informative. And yes dry socket is horrible. I actually had that once, it hurt worse than the toothache did.But being an addict ofcourse any time I had a tooth pulled while I was in my active addiction I claimed dry socket for the meds. That was always good for about 3 or 4 additional scripts on top of the two I'd get just for the extraction. I'm so grateful I don't have to play that game anymore. Anyway, also I didn't mean to imply ALL dentists gave out narcotics like candy. I shoulda clarified a bit. The Oral Surgen I went to did, the scripts were already typed out, he just signed and dated them.
A patient that went there for an extraction didn't even have to ask, it was just given to you on the way out. You'd pay, then they'd hand you a bunch of extra gauze and a script for 20 percocet. I still used that surgen after I got clean but always took someone with me so I wouldn't be tempted to take the script. In fact Gina went there a couple weeks ago. That guy really is great at what he does, I've never felt a thing getting any work done by him. And I always opted to stay awake. I also make sure these days to follow directions, unlike when I was using. I used to light a smoke as soon as I left the office, I don't do that anymore. That dry socket is horrible and being clean now I wouldn't wanna chance getting it.
Anyway, have a great night.
Take care,
Bob
Bob,
There are dentists that make it their practise to give out narcotics and unbelievable though it may be, they know that word gets around that they are "painless" that they dont let their patients suffer if they DO have pain..ie- they are sympathetic caring Drs..which is a good referral point..
And he probably is...im sure most people Don't have a problem using a narc periodically so i suppose they shouldn't suffer for the ones of us that can't..
Also the dentists that i knew would KNOW who was there for the narcs and who wasn't and they would cover their butts anyway cus they only see their patients for a limited time and for a specific thing...( Unlike a Dr, that would have the patient come back over and over and over with the same complaint and need for more Rx)
there are dentists that dont give ANYTHING, and truth be known, they are NOT as popular because they are perceived by the public as not as caring or concerned with pain...just a fact in the dental community..lol
Don't forget that at the time, I was working at CHILDRENS hospital, so the need for Narcotic pain meds just isnt very common...most kids go to sleep on extra strength Tylenol...lol
We also saw teens and young adults (obviously cus we were doing extraction of "wisdom teeth" which don't come fully in till one is somewhat wise..lol ( ages 17-20 area) but they would have them all done at once in Childrens hospital cus that way it was covered by the B.C. Medicare and didnt cost a thing... ( Private surgeons are expensive unless full coverage on a dental plan which is rare for surgery)
Anyway Bob, sorry you had a dry socket...closest thing you'll ever experience to childbirth..lol
Hugs
Ali
There are dentists that make it their practise to give out narcotics and unbelievable though it may be, they know that word gets around that they are "painless" that they dont let their patients suffer if they DO have pain..ie- they are sympathetic caring Drs..which is a good referral point..
And he probably is...im sure most people Don't have a problem using a narc periodically so i suppose they shouldn't suffer for the ones of us that can't..
Also the dentists that i knew would KNOW who was there for the narcs and who wasn't and they would cover their butts anyway cus they only see their patients for a limited time and for a specific thing...( Unlike a Dr, that would have the patient come back over and over and over with the same complaint and need for more Rx)
there are dentists that dont give ANYTHING, and truth be known, they are NOT as popular because they are perceived by the public as not as caring or concerned with pain...just a fact in the dental community..lol
Don't forget that at the time, I was working at CHILDRENS hospital, so the need for Narcotic pain meds just isnt very common...most kids go to sleep on extra strength Tylenol...lol
We also saw teens and young adults (obviously cus we were doing extraction of "wisdom teeth" which don't come fully in till one is somewhat wise..lol ( ages 17-20 area) but they would have them all done at once in Childrens hospital cus that way it was covered by the B.C. Medicare and didnt cost a thing... ( Private surgeons are expensive unless full coverage on a dental plan which is rare for surgery)
Anyway Bob, sorry you had a dry socket...closest thing you'll ever experience to childbirth..lol
Hugs
Ali
Ali,
The doctor pretty much covered all the things you mentioned. Thanks! He said he will probably have some pain as all four are impacted and one in particular looks like it will require some exta cutting. He said an ice pack on and off at 20 min intervals is crucial in the beginning as well. This is not a doctor who hands out meds like candy. Hes very responsible. A surgeon. I had a tooth pulled once and when I asked if I would need anything for pain he said there should be no pain that 2 tylenol would not take care of if that at all. And he was right. No pain with a simple extraction. I think its just my own view of painkillers that is making this jump out at me. My husband will give them to him as needed. It would just be enough for 2 or 3 days. He said asided from any complications (dry socket, etc) the pain should be bearable after a few days. Again, I dont care how much he takes if it is for pain. Just dont want him to like them lol. He goes tomorrow. Just cant wait for it to be over and have him home and well. (How do parents handle REALLY serious things?!) Kids.....they mean everything.
The doctor pretty much covered all the things you mentioned. Thanks! He said he will probably have some pain as all four are impacted and one in particular looks like it will require some exta cutting. He said an ice pack on and off at 20 min intervals is crucial in the beginning as well. This is not a doctor who hands out meds like candy. Hes very responsible. A surgeon. I had a tooth pulled once and when I asked if I would need anything for pain he said there should be no pain that 2 tylenol would not take care of if that at all. And he was right. No pain with a simple extraction. I think its just my own view of painkillers that is making this jump out at me. My husband will give them to him as needed. It would just be enough for 2 or 3 days. He said asided from any complications (dry socket, etc) the pain should be bearable after a few days. Again, I dont care how much he takes if it is for pain. Just dont want him to like them lol. He goes tomorrow. Just cant wait for it to be over and have him home and well. (How do parents handle REALLY serious things?!) Kids.....they mean everything.
Hi Ali,
Child Birth? I don't think I'd compare it to that, but I had a chronic kidney stone problem for 12 years or so. Now that I've heard is the closest I've come to experiencing child birth. And I've gone through that without taking anything too.
That I don't recomend, but I did make it through it.
Take care, and thanks
Have a great night.
Bob
Child Birth? I don't think I'd compare it to that, but I had a chronic kidney stone problem for 12 years or so. Now that I've heard is the closest I've come to experiencing child birth. And I've gone through that without taking anything too.
That I don't recomend, but I did make it through it.
Take care, and thanks
Have a great night.
Bob
Donnatwo
Hope you didnt think i was knocking your sons Dr..didnt mean to...
and yup the ice pack...should have mentioned that..it does make a huge difference in the amount of swelling in the cheeks..If the dentist didnt give you anything strong for an extraction, then he obviously is very responsible and must feel that your sons teeth are going to be a little more difficult to remove..
The fact he said he may have to cut the bottom to take it out, either means it has really deep strong roots or its still submerged down into the jawbone a bit..(physically cant see it..) Without an xray of course Im just guessing based on my experience and a process of elimination...
I mentioned before that the lower jaw ( Mandible) is thicker but besides that, the lower wisdom teeth generally have 4 roots that can really bend and curl and hang on so pulling them is really hard, thus the cutting and taking out in segments... ( and or if submerged the Dr. would have to actually go Through some bone to get to it...)
Patients feel an awful lot more "pressure" when the lowers are extracted...if its a strong tooth with no decay, a dentist really has to give full strength to get them out sometimes...( decayed teeth usually break into pieces )
Oh..in case the dentist doesnt have this...if you think your son will be a bit freaked out by a "crunching" noise..which is normal...then get him to bring his Mp3 earphones etc...it really helps mask that awful noise..
The top wisdom teeth not only have less bone, but the roots are shaped more together into one so dont put up such resistance....
I used to love dental surgery..lol..can ya tell..lol..Your son will do great...keep us posted as to how hes doing...
Bob,
Nope..lol..wasnt kidding...just like childbirth, the pain experience would vary but dry sockets really are up there with childbirth, and kidney stones in the pain dept...sounds like your a pretty tough hombre...lol
Hugs to you both
Ali
Hope you didnt think i was knocking your sons Dr..didnt mean to...
and yup the ice pack...should have mentioned that..it does make a huge difference in the amount of swelling in the cheeks..If the dentist didnt give you anything strong for an extraction, then he obviously is very responsible and must feel that your sons teeth are going to be a little more difficult to remove..
The fact he said he may have to cut the bottom to take it out, either means it has really deep strong roots or its still submerged down into the jawbone a bit..(physically cant see it..) Without an xray of course Im just guessing based on my experience and a process of elimination...
I mentioned before that the lower jaw ( Mandible) is thicker but besides that, the lower wisdom teeth generally have 4 roots that can really bend and curl and hang on so pulling them is really hard, thus the cutting and taking out in segments... ( and or if submerged the Dr. would have to actually go Through some bone to get to it...)
Patients feel an awful lot more "pressure" when the lowers are extracted...if its a strong tooth with no decay, a dentist really has to give full strength to get them out sometimes...( decayed teeth usually break into pieces )
Oh..in case the dentist doesnt have this...if you think your son will be a bit freaked out by a "crunching" noise..which is normal...then get him to bring his Mp3 earphones etc...it really helps mask that awful noise..
The top wisdom teeth not only have less bone, but the roots are shaped more together into one so dont put up such resistance....
I used to love dental surgery..lol..can ya tell..lol..Your son will do great...keep us posted as to how hes doing...
Bob,
Nope..lol..wasnt kidding...just like childbirth, the pain experience would vary but dry sockets really are up there with childbirth, and kidney stones in the pain dept...sounds like your a pretty tough hombre...lol
Hugs to you both
Ali
| QUOTE |
| Oh..in case the dentist doesnt have this...if you think your son will be a bit freaked out by a "crunching" noise..which is normal...then get him to bring his Mp3 earphones etc...it really helps mask that awful noise.. |
I remember once when my ex had a molar pulled and I was in the waiting room, I swear it sounded like it does on the 3 Stooges..that Weee Weee Weee Weee sound...no BS
BW
you werent hearing things..most patients absolutely loathe that sound and it scares the Bjesus out of them....really hard to avoid it though so the earplugs/music makes a difference..
Funny how you never forget things like that huh?lolol
Hugs
Ali
you werent hearing things..most patients absolutely loathe that sound and it scares the Bjesus out of them....really hard to avoid it though so the earplugs/music makes a difference..
Funny how you never forget things like that huh?lolol
Hugs
Ali
lol,
Naa I'm not tough at all, in fact I'm a baby in the pain department. lol But I have learned how to deal with alot. I've just been through hell being an addict and I promised myself I'd do whatever it takes to stay clean and sober. Now, there are times when pain medecine is needed and it's 100 percent ok to take it, if done properly, and if one's motives are honest and follows doctors orders. For me, I've just I've just been lucky enough to be able to handle what I've been through so far. But I will say, I did legitimately have dry socket one time, and I agree it hurt, and was worse than the actual toothache, and it need warrent a narcotic. But I personally wouldn't compare it to child birth or a kidney stone. I am grateful that I had the dry socket during my active addiction cause it would have upset me to have to take a narcotic. The only time I've taken a narcotic since getting clean and sober was when I was hospitalized for kidney stone surgery. And I didn't come home with it. But thats just for me. Because truthfully, I'm too damn scared of relapsing again. Been there done that and for me, I'll do whatever I gotta do to prevent that from ever happening again.
Ok thats it for me, thats more I've said here in a long long time. lol
Take care Ali, and thanks again.
Bob
Naa I'm not tough at all, in fact I'm a baby in the pain department. lol But I have learned how to deal with alot. I've just been through hell being an addict and I promised myself I'd do whatever it takes to stay clean and sober. Now, there are times when pain medecine is needed and it's 100 percent ok to take it, if done properly, and if one's motives are honest and follows doctors orders. For me, I've just I've just been lucky enough to be able to handle what I've been through so far. But I will say, I did legitimately have dry socket one time, and I agree it hurt, and was worse than the actual toothache, and it need warrent a narcotic. But I personally wouldn't compare it to child birth or a kidney stone. I am grateful that I had the dry socket during my active addiction cause it would have upset me to have to take a narcotic. The only time I've taken a narcotic since getting clean and sober was when I was hospitalized for kidney stone surgery. And I didn't come home with it. But thats just for me. Because truthfully, I'm too damn scared of relapsing again. Been there done that and for me, I'll do whatever I gotta do to prevent that from ever happening again.
Ok thats it for me, thats more I've said here in a long long time. lol
Take care Ali, and thanks again.
Bob
Bob,
How do you know its not worse then childbirth?
had any babies lately?
lolol
You dont need to respond..i appreciate conversing with you and know you dont post much anymore...
Im honored..lol
big hug
Ali
How do you know its not worse then childbirth?
had any babies lately?
lolol
You dont need to respond..i appreciate conversing with you and know you dont post much anymore...
Im honored..lol
big hug
Ali
Donna, I was just thinking about you this morning. I hope all goes well with your son today. It will be over before you know it. Take care, Shantel
Ali,
I didnt think you were knocking my doctor at all. Why would you? You know him? lol. No, I didnt take it that way at all. You actually gave just about the same speech as he did last week and as he did again today lol. I filled the script (20 percocets) and put on shelf in kitchen. I told him when the anesthesia wears off (which btw he was pretty high lol I actually held his hand crossing the street - all 6' of him) and IF the pain got tough he should take a pill. We are home about an hour now and so far he is just laying down with the ice pack. Im almost thinking about giving him one now to ward off the onset but Ill wait til he asks. Im trying not to emphasize the pills too much. When his dad gets home Ill just say dad will give them to you if/when you need just so he can keep an eye on the hours you take them, etc. His face is pretty swollen Ill say that, but the procedure is over and that was the scary part for me. Glad those buggers are out.
Shantell, and everyone else, thanks for your advice and concern.
I didnt think you were knocking my doctor at all. Why would you? You know him? lol. No, I didnt take it that way at all. You actually gave just about the same speech as he did last week and as he did again today lol. I filled the script (20 percocets) and put on shelf in kitchen. I told him when the anesthesia wears off (which btw he was pretty high lol I actually held his hand crossing the street - all 6' of him) and IF the pain got tough he should take a pill. We are home about an hour now and so far he is just laying down with the ice pack. Im almost thinking about giving him one now to ward off the onset but Ill wait til he asks. Im trying not to emphasize the pills too much. When his dad gets home Ill just say dad will give them to you if/when you need just so he can keep an eye on the hours you take them, etc. His face is pretty swollen Ill say that, but the procedure is over and that was the scary part for me. Glad those buggers are out.
Shantell, and everyone else, thanks for your advice and concern.
