Wyatt Baldwin

I had my wisdom teeth removed exactly two weeks ago. Today is the first day I’ve woken up without a throbbing pain in my mouth. My right side has been OK for a while, but my left side has been giving me trouble.

They had to crack the bottom, left tooth to get it out, and I ended up with a bit of “dry socket.” I don’t remember if I mentioned that already. I went in last week and they jammed some nasty burnt-BBQ tasting paste in there. I could taste it all day and into the next. Not pleasant.

Throbbing pain can be a real bummer. It can be really hard to concentrate and get anything done. Mouth pain compounded with pressure from a sinus infection makes it really bad. The doc gave me Percocet, which creates somewhat of a dilemma for me, since I really prefer to not take drugs, especially narcotics, but I need to be able to concentrate and “get shit done.” I’ve been taking as little as possible while also wondering what effective alternatives are out there.

Narcotic pain relievers make you feel good. They don’t just take away the pain you’re taking them for. They take away or at least dull most or all of your pain, pain you might not have realized you had.

Maybe this is OK for very particular circumstances, but in most cases there’s certainly a better long term solution for chronic pain than popping liver-damaging pharmaceuticals (or swilling liver-damaging beverages). Perhaps examining the possible causes of pain and making some kind of work or lifestyle change would be beneficial. Hmm…

In my case, sitting up straight, adjusting my workstation ergonomics, taking frequent breaks, stretching (perhaps in the form of yoga), and getting daily exercise are key. Winding down and getting away from work is essential, even when work is fun. An occasional massage probably wouldn’t hurt either.

In related news, the drainage from my sinus infection is turning a lighter and lighter shade of green (it was pinkish-orange a week ago, like some kinda runny salad dressing). Instead of taking antibiotics, which the oral surgeon offered, I’ve been eating lots of garlic and sleeping a lot. It seems to be working.