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I probably have to get my wisdom teeth removed due to one of them growing crooked, crowding, etc. How awful is oral anesthetic? Is it possible to get them removed without it, or is that a terrible idea? (I have heard that these teeth come out easier than others so I wasn't sure.)

I haven't had to take any medicine or anything since going Paleo, so I'm kinda nervous about feeling like crap for days afterwards. Please tell me your stories of wisdom teeth removal.

edit thanks everyone, I wasn't planning on "rejecting modern medicine" but I was just concerned with how I might feel afterwards.

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I strongly suggest you avail yourselves of both novocaine (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procaine) during dental surgery and opiates and/or NSAIDs afterwards. The benefits vastly outweigh the drawbacks. If you find dental surgeries particularly unpleasant, you might also wish to partake of en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxide or take a en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine beforehand. – Daniel Kirsner Nov 19 2011 at 4:45
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I had mine removed long time ago, all 4 at once, under general anesthesia. There was no pain afterwords. It was painful when food in contact with the wound for about a week or so. It heals fast. – aaa Nov 20 2011 at 4:13

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I'm not a dentist but I don't think it's possible to request having teeth extracted with no anesthetic, I can't imagine someone agreeing to do that to a patient. I also think that even if you could, getting teeth pulled without ANY anesthetic would be way, way, way, way higher up on the list of "horribly unpleasant things" than any lingering side effects from the anesthesia. Local anesthetic doesn't usually cause any anyway. Why do you think it might be awful?

My story of wisdom teeth removal: I had it done under general anesthesia. No side effects from that AFAIK. I felt kind of shitty after for a few days but I'm pretty sure that's kind of par for the course after wisdom tooth extraction. It's just not much fun.

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I figured you couldn't, but I've heard people say wisdom teeth "pop right out" so I wasn't sure. Just nervous :( I hate feeling like crap since I work so hard to not feel like crap. – Lutfisk Nov 19 2011 at 3:17
I've always heard the opposite about wisdom teeth, or why would it be such a big deal? I mean, if you're getting them out they're probably impacted. I always thought that was part of the reason wisdom tooth extraction is generally worse and more painful than getting other teeth pulled. – Olivia Nov 19 2011 at 3:19
Anyway, it's not fun, but it's also not the horror show some of my friends told me it would be. I was super nervous too but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. – Olivia Nov 19 2011 at 3:21
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Don't worry! I recently had an oral anesthetic because I needed a crown. There's a mild discomfort when it's administered, then the dental procedure is pain-free. Unlike the old days with Novocaine, there was no aching after the fact--my lip felt a little numb and that was it.

If you trust this dentist enough to let him/her do the procedure, then trust him/her to keep you comfortable. For wisdom tooth removal, I wouldn't consider going without anesthetic.

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Wisdom teeth are not necessarily easily extracted--go for the drugs!

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I was completely out for my wisdom teeth extraction. Topical, N2O gas, and something IV. I came out a little loopy, but your head clears up pretty fast. I had essentially no pain for mine, during or after. I took Vicodin the first day afterwards.

Do not confuse paleo with the rejection of modern medical practices. Grok died young because easily preventable infections and injuries. No need for you to follow in his footsteps.

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the need for anesthetics will depend on how invasive the removal will be. in some cases the gum needs to be cut to the jaw in order to dislodge the tooth, so its best to be knocked out.

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Novacaine or lidocaine, I am not up on the latest numbing methods, is probably your best bet. Total unconsciousness through anesthesia is not the best thing for your system. With these oral injections you will feel no pain at all, only your own fear. Trust me. I have experienced this on many occasions.

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I would go for te drugs. Think of the cortisol from the pain.

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Wife is allergic to canie drugs, so she has had 5 teeth so far pulled with no drugs. She uses 2 tylenol 2 hours before and cools jaw with ice or dental freezing rings.

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