Concerning issues (lots of prayers please)

[Momo-P]

Bah...I've always feared this happening, but now that it has...*shudders*

Recently I visited the dentist and she told me I should get my wisdom teeth taken out. Of course I didn't like the news, nobody does, but for me...eh. I have deeper reasons as to why not.

A - My jaw is screwed up. Although I don't remember it, my parents say I use to grind my teeth so badly as a child, they could actually hear it in the other room. Again, do I recall it? Nope, but seeing what damage has been done, what they say is apparently true.

On the bright side though...is it noticable? Not at all! Sure it's noticable if you feel where the jaw connects, but otherwise that's about it. No surgery, just lots of ear infections. Also the obvious pain when it decides to act out of whack. (Though I personally thank God for this over the surgery...I know that sounds stupid, but I'm baby, ok?)

So how does this connect to wisdom teeth? I don't want people messing with my jaw. While it's unlikely they'd do something, it's not unreasonable or unheard of for one doctor to make things worse. Seeing as they'll be taking teeth out of that jaw and stuff...*shudders* I just picture them making it worse and possibly noticable on the outside or just...I dunno. Like I said, the worst.

B - I fear men. I know that sounds strange, and it's not like I fear all men (I love my dad and boyfriend dearly) but as I've gotten older? I don't even like going to the doctor's office alone. I know I look like a kid when I have my parents walk in with me, but I honestly feel really uncomfortable when I'm alone with an adult man. To talk to one in public or something, ya, no big deal. But alone in a room? Especially knocked out? Uhhhh...ya. NO WAY.

There have been plenty of cases where dentists get perverted and play with their patients bodies. I ain't gonna be one of them. At least with a real surgery other people are there and they're kind of working on your main body so they can't pull that crap, but with dentists...it can't just happen, it has happened.

*sighs* So...ya. Two really big reasons why I don't want this happening. I know people can tell me "your jaw will be fine, just pray" or "It's really unlikely they'll do something, just pray" but even if I pray...I can't help but worry! Just because you pray doesn't ensure it'll be answered, God can do whatever the heck He wants, even if it does involve your worst nightmare. Heck, if I'm gonna pray, I honestly pray the Lord doesn't do this at all. He can work miracles, I wish He'd just prove these guys wrong and make my teeth behave. I know He recently proved the doctors wrong when my dad didn't have to have surgery earlier this summer...

*sighs* So...ya. Any advice and prayers would be appreciated. And because I know that last subject will raise some discussion, let it please be noted it's only when I'm alone with guys. Like I said, talking to people in the open doesn't bother me (though I'm not social, so I probably rather not even talk), but when I get alone...I'm not stupid. I don't want to judge, but nowadays it's foolish to be too trusting.

[Sheenar]

I understand being afraid of being alone with men. I am too. I guess it's because my dad wasn't around my whole life. I even get nervous if I wind up alone with a friend's dad. Of course I don't have parents to come with me, so praise God for them. I just suck up my fear and go (it helps that I've known my doctor for years and know he's a good guy.). Thankfully, my dentist is a woman.
I'll pray for your fear and for your wisdom teeth surgery. They usually don't do anything to your jaw --they just make an incision in your gum and pull the teeth out. Just depends on how your teeth are coming in. Mine were coming in at an angle, so that's what they did. I was so doped up during the procedure, I didn't feel anything or really realize what was happening. It was a trip. I had very little post-op pain. I didn't even need to take meds. Just make sure you change your bandages as they tell you (they'll give you a sheet of paper with post-op instructions). Do what they tell you --I've heard dry socket is really bad--if you follow their instructions, that shouldn't happen. And you'll eat soft food for a while and can't drink out of straws. You'll start brushing your teeth a day or two afterwards, avoiding the surgery area. You'll start brushing that a few days later. About a week later, they'll take out your stitches. You'll still eat soft food for another week or so, then you'll be fine.
Oh, and when I had my wisdom teeth out, there was a nurse in the room the whole time. (I was awake the whole time, just drugged up). So you probably will not be alone with the surgeon (he'll need someone to hand him instruments, monitor your anesthesia/drugs, etc.)

So hang in there, friend. It won't be as bad as you think...

[kat-su-chan]

uhm. they told me that too but then my wisdom teeth grew in, now I have all of them...and I'm perfectly fine. Infact, it hardly even hurt ^^

[SnEptUne]

They told me to have my wisdom teeth removed too, but I know better than the risk my life over that. I may die from a surgery, but not from not having my wisdom teeth removed. I would avoid having someone messing with my body if I can help it.

Regarding your fear of being alone with men, well, everyone would get nervous or even frightened to be locked out with a stranger. When society espect men to be stupid pigheaded idiots, there are more reasons to fear them.

[Kamille]

I'm praying for ya. Also, its good to be wise and sometimes wary, but try not to be too worried. Concentrate on God's kingdom. God will give you exactly what you need and all things work together for the good of those that love Him. May not be what you want to hear right now, but it's true.

I have had my wisdom teeth pulled. Two had crowned (outside gums), but the other two were still deep in the gums. Ultimately everything went fine. I was in the room with a doctor and at least one nurse (may have been more, but can't remember). Afterwards there was a bit of discomfort, but not much.

[Sheenar]

Sn, I doubt you would die from wisdom teeth surgery. Especially since it's not major surgery...
I had to have mine out because they hurt very badly --I could hardly eat it hurt so much --they were coming in at such an angle that they would have really messed up my teeth --I just decided to have them taken out -I couldn't take the pain anymore. After I had them out, I had very little pain and now my mouth doesn't hurt at all. I guess it's just on an individual basis whether you need the surgery or not. But you wouldn't die from it --it's a very minor day surgery --I was back to myself in two days. Any oral surgeon worth his degree will be competent enough to do it safely. Surgery is not a bad thing. I've had a couple (wisdom teeth, knee) and have one coming up soon (ankle) and the ones I've had have helped me tremendously. I tore the miniscus in my knee and they repaired it --now my knee is much more steady and I've been walking better. My ankle surgery will allow me to walk without terrible pain. So Sn, don't talk about surgery like if you have it, you'll die. There are risks, but they are very small. If Momo needs her wisdom teeth out, you shouldn't be trying to scare her out of having it done. I'm trying to calm her fears out of my experience --the surgery was no big deal for me and it carries very small risks, most of those depending on how well you follow the post-op instructions.

[SP1]

I was completely conscious when I had my upper wisdom teeth removed (the lower ones never grew in, mutant that I am). Just shots of xylocaine to numb me up. Of course, I didn't have any complications.

There are, of course, female dental surgeons out there. You could ask for a recommendation. There's no shame in asking for a female attendant, either.

[SnEptUne]

Sn, I doubt you would die from wisdom teeth surgery. Especially since it's not major surgery...
I had to have mine out because they hurt very badly --I could hardly eat it hurt so much --they were coming in at such an angle that they would have really messed up my teeth --I just decided to have them taken out -I couldn't take the pain anymore. After I had them out, I had very little pain and now my mouth doesn't hurt at all. I guess it's just on an individual basis whether you need the surgery or not. But you wouldn't die from it --it's a very minor day surgery --I was back to myself in two days. Any oral surgeon worth his degree will be competent enough to do it safely. Surgery is not a bad thing. I've had a couple (wisdom teeth, knee) and have one coming up soon (ankle) and the ones I've had have helped me tremendously. I tore the miniscus in my knee and they repaired it --now my knee is much more steady and I've been walking better. My ankle surgery will allow me to walk without terrible pain. So Sn, don't talk about surgery like if you have it, you'll die. There are risks, but they are very small. If Momo needs her wisdom teeth out, you shouldn't be trying to scare her out of having it done. I'm trying to calm her fears out of my experience --the surgery was no big deal for me and it carries very small risks, most of those depending on how well you follow the post-op instructions.

My wisdom teeth are growing horizontally; as such, removal would require surgically opening my jaw and hammering my wisdom teeth into bits and pieces, which won't be minor surgery anymore. I suspect that is how some people died from the removal of wisdom teeth. Beside, it doesn't affect my everyday life except it may perhaps "potentially mess up my other teeth", so I wouldn't take the unneccessary risk to have a construction site in the middle of my head.

Momo-P, I am not trying to scare you, but it is worth-while to understand what will actually be performed and judge for yourself if it is worth the risk. For me, it doesn't worth it.

[Nate]

Beside, it doesn't affect my everyday life except it may perhaps "potentially mess up my other teeth", so I wouldn't take the unneccessary risk to have a construction site in the middle of my head.

I love it when people talk about subjects they've never studied and have no credentials to give an opinion on.

On topic. Momo, I can understand your concern. Honestly, any respectable dentist shouldn't deny your mom or dad being in the room. There's no reason why they couldn't be, as long as they're like quiet and stuff. As for the fear about the surgery itself, that's understandable. I had a friend get injured from his wisdom teeth removal, but these kinds of things happen. People get in cars every day and get in horrible accidents that kill or maim them, but very few people refuse to ride in a car because of that...and riding in a car isn't a necessity either, so it is an apt analogy.

Ultimately though there can be complications (very nasty ones) from not having wisdom teeth removed. I've had my left two removed, and it wasn't that bad. Also, they didn't knock me unconscious for my surgery, just numbed me up pretty good. I understand that I'm a guy and as such didn't have the same fears you do exactly, but I'm just throwing in my experience.

Ultimately it's up to you though. I'll pray God leads you to the right decision.

[Fish and Chips]

B - I fear men. I know that sounds strange, and it's not like I fear all men (I love my dad and boyfriend dearly) but as I've gotten older? I don't even like going to the doctor's office alone. I know I look like a kid when I have my parents walk in with me, but I honestly feel really uncomfortable when I'm alone with an adult man. To talk to one in public or something, ya, no big deal. But alone in a room? Especially knocked out? Uhhhh...ya. NO WAY.

And then the assistant dentist takes off his mask and says to the chief surgeon "Why don't you take a seat right over there."

Of all the places to be taken advantage of, a cold operating table in a brightly lit room filled with security cameras and nurses is probably not the most opportune of environments for a predator to strike under the pretense of a medical degree he's been working on for the past several years for just such an occasion. All those long, lonely nights in the medical wing...

But seriously, if your dentist suggests having your wisdom teeth removed, do it. The "potential [to] mess up [your] other teeth" has already been realized, and you don't want to know just how badly. It's no big deal, they knock you out during the whole thing. They know what they're doing.

[AsianBlossom]

I had my wisdom teeth out in 2005 and my brother had his out back in October. We were both knocked out completely, and while I can't say much for his surgery, I remember seeing some female nurses in the area when I was fading into that "drug-induced, dreamless sleep." Personally, I think that's the best kind of anesthesia, because time whips by and you can't see a thing, with is good if you're squeamish. Also, follow the instructions they give you for before and after the surgery, don't try to rush into solid food, don't bend over or you'll tear your stitches, and don't suck on anything until your mounth is healed. You should be fine; just remember to relax when you're recooping (sp?).

And I tend to feel *a-hem* uncomfortable around most men I don't know, especially if we're not close friends or relatives, so I kind of know where you're coming from. I know not all men out there are looking to drag me into some back alley and...well...but it's just this fear that just lurks in the back of my mind. That, along with the fact that I watch the news and that my dad (like Sheenar's) hasn't been around my whole life too.

But anyways, I'll be praying for you, and if the surgery is what God wants for you, I'll pray that it all goes well. You'll be fine. (heck, my brother healed from his surgery so fast, way faster than I did...)

[Blitzkrieg1701]

Me and my siblings have all had our wisdom teeth out too, no horror stories at all.