Klarinet Archive - Posting 000298.txt from 2002/04

From: Robyn Brown <rjbrown@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Teeth
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 18:12:48 -0400

Lucienne,

If I might ask, how old are you? I only ask this because I had my wisdom
teeth removed over Christmas break (the day after Christmas, in fact), and
my surgeon explained to me that the younger you are when you have them
removed, the better. For me, being not quite 20, this was an ideal age. I
would say that if you are young-ish (i.e. under 30) you probably have
little to worry about (consult your surgeon of course). I was told that
the main reason nerve damage occurs is because the nerves have grown longer
into the jaw, so there is more damage when they are pulled. If the teeth
are taken earlier, the nerves are shorter and there isn't as much damage
when the teeth are removed. As others have said, talk to your surgeon, but
if you are young you are probably okay.
One other thing: I understand your eagerness to get back to playing (I
couldn't stand being away so long), but I would strongly suggest that you
check with your doctor before you do. If you play too early you risk
blowing the blood clots out of the incision sites and getting a really
painful condition called dry socket, which takes much longer to heal. I
know from my personal experience, I wasn't physically ready to go back to
playing for two weeks.

Good luck!

Robyn

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