I have been told that in the United States, they don't let you take your teeth with you after they've been extracted. I've never had a tooth pulled in the U.S., so I don't know if that's true, but what with our general American germophobia and whatnot, I wouldn't be surprised. (Biohazard, schmiohazard.)
Anyway, as you know, over a month ago now, I was in Bangkok to have my wisdom teeth (2, not 4) extracted, and I joked about having a cloth put over my face while they were yanked out.
Okay, so I wasn't joking. I went to the dentist, whose office is in a hospital, and within ten minutes, she was ready to yank the teeth. And then, when she got all her instruments set up, she literally put a cloth over my face (with a hole for my mouth), and went to work poking me in the upper and lower gums with local anesthetic. After I indicated, by drooling onto said cloth when prompted, that I was numb, the dentist began dutifully wrestling with my mouth. If I winced, I received an exasperated-sounding, "What's wrong?" but exasperation and concern sound a lot alike when emerging from behind a face mask in someone's second language, so maybe I was taking that a little personally. Then I'd receive another shot, drool to show my gratitude, and the jaw-wrangling would begin again. I actually did think about Gloria Anzaldua's "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" (google it) while staring up at the blue cloth over my face and wondering just how much of a workout the dentist was getting. Ten minutes later, one tooth was out. I heard it plunk down onto the cold metal tray that had previously held the instruments. The dentist rearranged her chair to get a better angle on the upper tooth. That one gave up easily, perhaps not having the same vigorous spirit as its lower-jaw counterpart. Maybe its roots were just a little more shallow.
At any rate, five minutes later, the dentist was threading a needle and sewing up the two open wounds. Then everything was packed with gauze and I was sitting up, again drooling to show my appreciation. Soon, though that turned to disappointment when I realized that the doctor was actually not prescribing any follow up pain medication. "You were already given antibiotics and ibuprofen, correct?" she asked. I nodded. "Okay, well come back next week to get the stitches out." It's hard to say, "WTF?" when you are chewing on soggy gauze. So instead, I asked if I could have the teeth. Call it a consolation prize.
And now, they're sitting on my dresser - testament to the efficacy of local anesthesia, competent medical care, and ibuprofen in maximal doses.
Oh, and the other things: well, you'll just have to tune in next time.
GREEN.
That had me laughing out loud. You should have another career as a journalist. I think the entire experience would have wigged me out. Glad your mouth is all better.
ReplyDeleteSo, what strength was the ibuprofen? 800? And, did it help with the pain? After having a c-section I was actually pleasantly surprised to find out how well ibuprofen works at the max dose. I always sort of wrote it off as ineffective against strong pain since they sell it (in lower strength) OTC. You are definitely braver than I, I won't even consider getting my wisdom teeth pulled on base here in Japan, I'd prefer to be fully under if I ever need to get them removed :)
ReplyDeleteThe ibuprofens were 400s, and I was instructed to take them three times daily (with food, of course). Granted, I kept taking them instead of food because I couldn't eat, but so far no permanent stomach damage seems to have occurred. And PS, M, you had a BABY in Japan. That's like, way braver than having teeth pulled!
ReplyDeleteIf it is imperative you have dental x-rays make sure the dentist knows you are pregnant, but otherwise leave them until after you have the baby. click
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