Modern American practice when it comes to wisdom teeth is to just have them removed, preferably before they begin to do any damage, like mess with very expensive orthodontic treatment. What will happen when oral surgery isn’t an option? What will millions of teenage and young adult Americans do when pericoronitis (painful wisdom teeth) strikes?
Personally, I think my family will be spared—Aaron and I had ours removed long ago. Professor and Blueberry Girl didn’t suffer to terribly when theirs were removed. Both the KOTPE and QOTPE were wasted for days, but QOTPE wasn’t as bad, since she had only two wisdom teeth. Ellie, wisest of them all, didn’t suffer because she never got any. And I really hope the challenges we have to face will be resolved by the time my grandchildren are dealing with wisdom teeth. Still, there are many who do have to prepare for dealing with wisdom teeth.
Here’s what The Ship’s Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea has to say:
Painful Wisdom Teeth (Pericoronitis)
Pericoronitis is an infection and swelling of the tissues surrounding a partially erupted tooth, usually a wisdom tooth (third molar). Often a small portion of the crown or a cusp of the offending tooth can be seen through the soft tissues. The soft tissues appear swollen and the degree of inflammation or redness may vary considerably. When the infection is severe, the patient may complain of difficulty in opening the mouth. When the area is examined carefully, pus may be found coming from underneath the soft tissues in the area of the partially erupted tooth.
Treatment
For a painful wisdom tooth, the area between the crown of the tooth and the soft tissues should be flushed with warm saline solution (a quarter teaspoonful of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water). Also the patient should be treated as directed under Toothache With Swelling.[1]
That’s it for the Ship’s Medicine Chest.
Survival and Austere Medicine, 3rd Edition notes that a painful wisdom tooth can mimic peritonsillar abscess or pharyngitis, but to differentiate, a painful wisdom tooth usually doesn’t have any drainage or pus involved, whereas the former two may. In addition, muscle spasms in the chewing muscles are common. Antibiotics are usually unnecessary and removing some of the gum tissue may help.[2]
The Merck Manual suggests that pericoronitis may be treated with chlorhexidine 0.12% rinses or hypertonic salt water soaks (1 tablespoon of salt mixed in hot water—no hotter than the coffee or tea a patient normally drinks). The patient is directed to hold the salt water in the mouth until it cools and then spit it out. Repeat this 3-4 times each day until the patient can be seen by a dentist.[3]
Having wisdom teeth removed prior to TEOTWAWKI may be the best way to go for teenagers and young adults.
Links to related posts:
The Ship’s Medicine
Chest and Medical Aid at Sea review
[1] Ship’s Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea, 1978, 153.
[2] Survival and Austere Medicine, 3rd Edition, 2017, 306.
[3] Bernard J. Hennessy, Merck Manual Professional Version, February 2022, https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dental-disorders/symptoms-of-dental-and-oral-disorders/toothache-and-infection?query=pericoronitis.isolated (accessed 2 May 2022).
We had a dental emergency at our fly in job site a few weeks ago. I thought of you when our sparky cracked a tooth with a filling and the whole side of the tooth broke off. He wouldn't let anyone remove the tooth with pliers or glue it back together. They got him off site but it identified a hole in the site medical plan. We have the ability to handle most emergencies on site. Even having a paramedic on site and 6 advanced first aiders (plus 100% of people have first aid with AED) there is nothing for dealing with dental emergencies.
ReplyDeleteExile1981
And yet, one source said dental emergencies account for 10% of all ER visits. Aaron's teeth are actually made of chalk, so it's something we pay attention to. I feel fortunate that we've got 6 dentists in our congregation, so hopefully we'll just have to bring the supplies and a little junk silver to compensate.
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