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[The Lycaeum Forums]

 The Lycaeum Forums » Other » General Discussion and Introductions (Moderators: Mimos, Jah PM)Topic:
 Pulling Teeth

[Frogg]

I just had a tooth pulled....the first in what will likely be a long string of teeth being pulled. I have never even had a filling done before let alone getting a tooth yanked out. THe novacaine felt like I had just crammed an eightball of coke in my cheek.

I have been having teeth problems for a while as when I was addicted to narcotics I never ever took good care of my teeth and they've been falling apart through out the last year. One tooth broke off one night last summer and its just been down hill from there...

The pain of this tooth was so intense that I would go through a bottle of orajel in 24 hours easy. I ate the entire vicodin script they gave all at once (12 5 mg pills) The pain got to be so bad I was on the floor of my apartment screaming and crying. I was so desperate that I did a STUPID STUPID FUCKING THING: I started IVing the Orajel for the benzocaine numbness...It actually worked and killed the pain for a few moments and numbed my entire body and made my head ring a little bit...They gave me 16 more of the vicodin today along with some motrin and an antibiotic--I just swallowed 8 of the vicodin about 10 minutes ago...my mouth is starting to hurt as the novacaine is wearing off...the blood just keeps flowing...the guaze doesn't help all that much....

though the actual experience was not as bad as I expected. The numbed the outside of my gums and then came back with the needle...I felt the pinch but that was it...then came the pulling...I could feel him doing something and then he got the pliars and pulled wiggling back and forth...but I didn't get any reall pain from this.

Is anybody here afraid of the dentist or anybody had teeth pulled out before? What was your experience like...did you feel any pain during the procedure? The doc said not to smoke for a couple days--this is going to make me a very fucking cranky person because I usually go through 2 packs a day almost (yes I know I smoke way too much) and I smoke about an eighth of herb everyday...I'm not going to be a happy camper...

if I smoke say just a cigarette or 2 and a joint or 2 a day will I be okay still from a dry-socket (based on your personal experiences)? or should I just not smoke at all?

I never make posts really anymore as I've not been able to get online in quite sometime and felt like popping in to say howdy...

Thanks for advice ahead of time (about smoking) and share some related stories if you have any....

Peace

[DPP]

Wow.  I just got over an abscess with no painkillers.  I was on vacation so I was a good 12 hours away from my dentist, and half my face swelled up like a damned golf ball.  I called my doc for a script and he said all I could get is penecillin over the phone.  I happen to know that's bullshit as he's given my hydro over the phone before.  I called another local dentist and they said they wouldn't lance the abscess, all they could do is give me antibiotics and a script for some painkillers, but it'd cost me an arm and a leg just to get the consultation.  So I went with the script for penecillin and said screw the painkillers.  Much crying and whimpering later... the antibiotics started to work.

Antibiotics work very well as painkillers in the long-term.  So long as you take them -exactly- as reccomended (every 6 hours for me) they work wonders.

As for vicodin, I never take more than I'm supposed to (when in pain :p).  I usually take less.  I'll sit and slowly eek out my script untill the pain is completely gone.  I'd rather suffer with one vicodin in me every 5 hours than get one day of relief and two more days of hell.  That's just me though, they work rather well for my pains.

Either way, teeth are evil and unless you take care of them (and even if you do) they'll make you wish death upon yourself.  I believe there -must- be some suicides out there caused by toothaches.

As for the smoking, well, I usually tore the filters off my smokes and just took a few very light puffs while keeping the gauze over my wound.  Didn't get dry socket.  I know a guy who got dry socket though, and he said hydromorphone wouldn't get rid of the pain.  Supposedly it's the worst tooth pain imaginable, but I can't see how it'd be any worse than a bad abscess.  Maybe one day I'll find out if I'm unlucky.

[ST1R]

1) Be careful with your aspirin! You took ~6grams and 4grams respectivly. I know when in pain its hard to think about but be safe!

2) Smoking can also rip your oral stitches if any were received (feels like fishing line) An electronic or powered pipe would help. Its important to keep damp cotton, paper towel or something around the hole (while smoking) for the reasons already stated as well as to keep the wound clean.

3) Drink kava. It has a nice numbing sensation.

[The_MadScientist]

From this site
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry-socket/DS00778/DSECTION=4
it sounds like any mouth smoking is going to increase your risk.

How about slipping a ciggie (or J) up your nostril and taking a few deep drags?  It will burn like hell, but probably not as much the worst case scenario for smoking from mouth.  (remember to exhale through your nose too!)

good luck

[ST1R]

^ Yeah! stick a doobie in a pussy snorkel!

[psilocyborg]

If I'm not mistaken, it's not the smoke that's the danger so much as the act of applying suction that causes the dry socket.  Which is why they also tell you not to drink from straws.

[The_MadScientist]

In that case, i would say a waterfall would probably be the way to go, because its more of an inhale than a mouth suck. the mayo clinic site said the chemicals in smoke are also problematic, so if I were you, i would follow the smoking with a salt water rinse, or whatever the doctor ordered specifically for you.

Still not as cool as the nose though...

[Frogg]

Wow.  I just got over an abscess with no painkillers.  I was on vacation so I was a good 12 hours away from my dentist, and half my face swelled up like a damned golf ball.  I called my doc for a script and he said all I could get is penecillin over the phone.  I happen to know that's bullshit as he's given my hydro over the phone before.  I called another local dentist and they said they wouldn't lance the abscess, all they could do is give me antibiotics and a script for some painkillers, but it'd cost me an arm and a leg just to get the consultation.  So I went with the script for penecillin and said screw the painkillers.  Much crying and whimpering later... the antibiotics started to work.

Antibiotics work very well as painkillers in the long-term.  So long as you take them -exactly- as reccomended (every 6 hours for me) they work wonders.

As for vicodin, I never take more than I'm supposed to (when in pain :p).  I usually take less.  I'll sit and slowly eek out my script untill the pain is completely gone.  I'd rather suffer with one vicodin in me every 5 hours than get one day of relief and two more days of hell.  That's just me though, they work rather well for my pains.

Either way, teeth are evil and unless you take care of them (and even if you do) they'll make you wish death upon yourself.  I believe there -must- be some suicides out there caused by toothaches.

As for the smoking, well, I usually tore the filters off my smokes and just took a few very light puffs while keeping the gauze over my wound.  Didn't get dry socket.  I know a guy who got dry socket though, and he said hydromorphone wouldn't get rid of the pain.  Supposedly it's the worst tooth pain imaginable, but I can't see how it'd be any worse than a bad abscess.  Maybe one day I'll find out if I'm unlucky.

Yeah the dentist gave me penicillin after the initial exam and x-ray last week because I had an infection and they couldn't pull the tooth with the infection there or the pain, he said, would be multiplied by about 30...so I took the penicillin as directed and the pain stopped for the most part after 2 or 3 days...the hydro he gave me, like I said, was gone in a matter of minutes as I downed the entire script on the way home from the pharmacy.

I called the doc asking for more hydro and they weren't "allowed" even tho I was crying on the phone with the receptionist...I was NOT trying to get high at all...I was in REAL pain and I just wanted to stop the pain...They still wouldn't do it so I waited it out and waited for the penicillin to start working...

Yeah its not the smoke that causes the dry-socket, its the sucking...no straws, no bottled or canned drinks...just large mouth cups...so...no smoking.

However I've had 2 since the pull this morning so we'll see..

[ST1R]

However I've had 2 since the pull this morning so we'll see..

2 what?

There are other ways to get herb into your system

[Frogg]

2 cigarettes....I've kept the guaze on the wound while smoking...the bleeding has slowed considerably and is about stopped.

Yeah I know...and now that I think of it, I've got a package of brownie mix at the house...ha...yeah...thats nice.....

[psilocyborg]

maybe try picking up some nicotine patches too.  If can avoid smoking, do so.  From what I understand about dry sockets, it's better to be safe than sorry.

[Carlo]

Hey Frogg, I feel for ya, man, having had dental problems too as well as an entrenched fear and dislike of all things to do with dentistry, except the N2O.
This power hitter might help you out in your situation. The parts are easy to get and it's simple to put together. The point being, all you have to do is slowly breath in the jet of smoke as you puff it into your mouth with the bottle, so no sucking needed.

http://www.420magazine.com/forums/420-product-reviews/58645-squeeze-power-hitter.html

This tek works for pretty much anything. As others have said, be sure to keep the gauze in place.

[Moo]

Hey Frogg, yowzers, teeth pain is the worst.    Just remember, it will go away.

[nigfis]

Frogg,
Here's a tried and tested way of getting some temporary relief from the pain. Trust me, this works. It is easier if you can get someone to do this for you, but still works self-administered.

You take an ice cube and rub it on the back of your hand (On the hand opposite to the site of pain in your mouth.... e.g. Left side hurting, use right hand))  in the V-shaped area where the bones of your thumb and forefinger meet. Gently (Or not-quite-so -gently) push the ice cube over this area for 5 to 7 minutes. Get the corners of the ice-cube right in there and wiggle it about.
This procedure works by sending rubbing impulses along the nerve pathways to your brain. Since your tooth pain travels along the same nerve pathways, which can carry only one signal at a time, the rubbing outweighs the pain.
link...


Apparently, this works in 90% of cases, but I've never experienced anyone that didn't get relief doing this.
The relief will be noticeable and last a few hours. Enough to get off to sleep, or eat, or whatever.
Good luck Frogg. Hope it all clears up soon.

Nig.

[Kosmo]

Why all this fear of dentists? Poor parenting usually. This kind of irrational fear is usually conditioned in childhood when parents don't teach good dental hygiene, and they pass on their own fears to their kids. In reality, a visit to the dentist is mostly pain free, but no one likes to sit in a chair with your mouth pried open. It's uncomfortable. A needle or two of novocaine kills any and all pain, and most dentists make even that little "stick" nearly unnoticeable.

Compare that to the pain that comes from teeth and periodontal problems. They don't go away! And you will have to visit the dentist anyway. Without taking care of your teeth, it is inevitable that you will pay in pain and dollars.

Boys and girls, if you are parents, or ever become parents, teach your kids early in their lives to brush twice a day, floss once a day, and get teeth cleaned at least once a year. Teeth cleaning is a good way to introduce your kids to the dentist office at an early time in their lives, and it helps them learn the seriousness of dental hygiene.

No , I was not paid by the ADA to post this bit of advice.

[housearrestee]

good advice kos, as a kid i would go to the dentist every 6 months...i probably never brushed as much as i should have...but the the dentist visit always fixed any damage i might have been causing...dentist have told me that they have some patients that pretty much never take care of their teeth on their own and just go to the dentist to prevent any long term damage...i feel bad for those dentists and wonder what they might find 

nigs, hmm ive never heard about that technique but the way you explain it...it makes sense...im not usually in that much pain where its needed but next time im gonna try it out...you should check this out frogg...it couldnt hurt

when i was younger i had a really fucked up mouth of teeth...my baby teeth took forever to fall out and so i would get adult teeth growing up above the babies so i had fucking rows kinda like a shark...so at one point i had to get 8 baby teeth pulled...4 at two different times...i never had any problems going to the dentist for these types of procedures...i had been in the orthodonist office since i was 6 years old getting everything under the sun stuck in my mouth...so i guess i got use to them prying around in there...ive also had a root canal and had all my wisdom teeth pulled...the wisdom teeth hadnt crowned yet so they had to go in an cut and break them into pieces to remove them...i was under for that one...but afterwards i was prescribed pain killers and had a huge chimpmunk mouth for days...plus they couldnt close the wound so i would be constantly swallowing blood...i remember when  i would sleep...i didnt have a chance to rid my mouth of the blood...so it would pool up and dry to the top of my mouth...wow that was so disguisting...but anwyas theres some stories for you...so you know your not alone...and now as i tongue the nasty crusty shit on my teeth i will brush them for once 

[Kosmo]

 

Smiley has nice teeth, right? Brushes and flosses every day.

[Carlo]

Kosmo   

heh...my attitude to dental work was formed in the 60s when our government provided dental nurse clinics for children.
They initially used very basic drills with foot pedals and created huge holes in our teeth which they happily filled with amalgam.
Yes, I really am that old!
Then in my teens I had a couple of teeth capped by a hell dentist! It hurt...a lot and the fear reaction seems to have been firmly imprinted.
The work those dental nurses did when we were kids has come back to haunt us as middle aged adults. The over-drilling has weakened our teeth and those unnecessarily large early fillings fall out or need to be replaced. Generations following ours have had much better standards of treatment and stronger teeth.

These days, as you said, it's pretty much pain-free except in terms of the bill.

Good advice, Niggy. That technique also works for headaches!

The importance of good dental hygiene cannot be stressed enough, especially for drug users. One's oral health can affect the whole body, not only the mouth.

Hope you are feeling better now, Frogg, as it heals.

[DPP]

Ugh.  Amalgram fillings are the devil.  I asked my dentist just how safe they were, and he basically said they are a lot safer on the bill than composite.  I still got composite for my new fillings, with my parents paying the bill.  And porcelin veneers.  Jesus christ, I found out how much those cost and I really should cook my parents supper for it one day.  Like prime rib or something. 

But my dentist told me the amalgram fillings in my mouth are safe, which is funny considering the fact he must put up a latex dam in my mouth just to put them in.  But I've yet to experience any problem with them falling out, yet.  It's just the fact that there is mercury in my mouth that bugs me.

A friend of mine went to a new dentist and was told he had to get all his old fillings removed and replaced with composite fillings.  The bill was outrageous, far exceeding any help from insurance.  I guess that's what my dentist was talking about.  AFAIK he's still paying on it, over a year later.

I don't mind the dentist so much, I just hate the waiting.  They put me on the gas and let me sit in my little chair, wondering just what the hell is going to happen to me.  But usually by the time I figure out what they're doing, they're done and I'm on my way with a fancy new bill.  Relatively painless, just expensive.

Damn, I need a root canal in eight days.  With that, the buildup, and the crown, I'm looking at $1500 for one tooth.  But that one tooth could be the one tooth I need to chew up a steak, so I think of it as a wise investment.  I could get it pulled for like $200, but what if I need the tooth?  I'd rather have it and be paying on it than not have it and get out with a short bill.

[Moo]

I wanted to say, that my girl was having her 4 wisdom teeth pushing and pushing, coming in sideways.  She was pregnant, and no dentist wanted to mess with her, due to the extent of her pain and problem.  I did rub ice on her hand, and it worked and helped some.