Anyone with dental knowledge? Can you help me?

Question

Okay, so I have a cavity in one of my wisdom teeth, it isnt fully erupted yet and the dental nurse said that the reason I have the cavity is because when part of the tooth came through the gum bacteria could then get under the gum (which is impossible to clean but can be helped with mouthwash) and that caused the cavity. I have never had any fillings or dental work done before and I am petrified of needles. My dentist is a polish lady who cant really understand what I say to her. The nurse I spoke to about the cavity said that it is usual practice to remove a wisdom tooth if it has a cavity in it. Is this true? What will happen to me when I go to the dentist about this? Can I request the proceedure to be done at the hospital or will they refuse to this? I am an NHS patient, I dont have private health care.

Can anyone help me?

Answer 1

oh god don't!! i have exactly the same problem as you, i'm petrified, i'd rather go to the hospital than have it pulled at the dentist!!!  sorry can't help you, as i've asked the same question on here and not getting much luck!!

Answer 2

It's not a big deal if you don't get it filled for now if you eventually get it pulled. One of the main reasons you'd pull a wisdom tooth is for the hygeine. If you have a 3rd molar it will significantly reduce your ability to clean your 2nd molar and you'd get more and more cavities back there.

You don't want to end up in the hospital from a cavity because what happens is a tooth gets infected and the infection can spread and potentially spread to your brain.

If money is an issue and you don't want to get your teeth pulled, have it filled. It doesn't hurt as much as you'd imagine or rumors that you've heard (movies, jokes, etc)

The best thing is probably to just get it pulled. Local anesthesia works wonders and it's just 1 prick and you don't feel anything after that. Go to a dentist you know will be gentle.

Another option is to go to an oral surgeon. They will put you under general anesthesia -- which puts you completely out and you won't remember a thing! And you can get all your teeth pulled and won't have to worry about it.

Regardless of what you decide to do, consult your dentist (one you can understand) to figure out your best options.

Answer 3

Wisdom teeth do not need to be extracted if they have a cavity, unless it's clearly obvious that it's going to be crowded and cause problems with your 2nd molar.   It won't be a problem to leave the cavity unfilled for a while, as long as it's small and not causing pain.  

You can have fillings done without local anesthesia; I do it all the time.  In fact, way back in 1960, when I first had a cavity filled, my dentist didn't use novocaine.    And in those days, the "bit" they used to clean out the cavity was a low-speed, grotesque-looking machine with a belts and pulleys and somewhat resembled a REAL DRILL - it was scary as h**l!   In the ensuing years, dentists have often been incredulous that I would let them drill my teeth w/o anesthesia.

Of course, in exchange for not feeling the tiny prick of a needle, you must endure the ache of the tooth when the bit heats it up during the drilling.    For me it's not the needle that bothers me, it's the weird effect of the anesthesia that I don't like - I'm one of the few people who experience a mild psychoactive effect from it, and it's not one of the pleasant psychoactive experiences, if'n ya know what I mean!  ;->

Answer 4

Talk with an Oral Surgeon. They too went to dental school but they specialize in this sort of thing.  A general dentist usually can deal with a soft tissue impaction which is what you have. well a partial one since it is not completely erupted.  The dental assistant was right.  It is common. A doctor will only recommend you to your general dentist or an oral surgeon.  Since you dont have private insurance i dont see anyother way around it other then to have your dentist do it.  They do have forms of pain management and sedation. Ask.