The lead content of surface enamel at that time was determined to be high. A number of widely used dentifrices were tested for lead since it was suspected that they could be a source of this element. Every single sample tested positive for lead.

Toothpaste samples taken from certain brands showed high levels of lead in the areas immediately surrounding the product container’s walls. When squeezed from nearly empty tubes, the paste contained substantial levels of lead in these tests. These findings left little doubt that these products contained a neurotoxin that could cause harm if ingested. How many years ago was that? Yes, that was 45 years ago, and we have continued to use products that may not be as safe as they should be. But what’s the specific problem, and shouldn’t we have been protected by the agencies given that charge?

Children and Lead Exposure

There are several well-documented negative impacts of lead exposure on children’s health, including:

Brain and neurological system injury
Decreased development
Issues with learning and conduct disorders
Speech and hearing impairments

Resulting in:

Reduced intelligence of a lifelong nature
Minimal capacity for sustained attention
Academic underachievement

In children, we need to be especially concerned, as this is where the most damage can occur, and the consequences can be lifelong. Lead is harmful to children because it enters the bloodstream rapidly. Once in the bloodstream, lead is transported to the brain, bones, and every part of a child’s body. It is insidious and may not be detected immediately except when specific blood tests are performed. The question here, of course, is whether or not lead is suspected to be the culprit, and testing is ordered.

A child’s blood lead level will increase if they ingest lead. However, blood lead levels decline over time when a child’s exposure to lead ends. However, despite decreasing levels of lead, not all lead will be eliminated, and this is where the damage lies.

Kidney, perspiration, and feces are excreted by the body as a portion of the lead. Bones are another repository for lead. Lead levels in bones can decline over decades. But there’s more here than we would suspect, and we would be lulled into a false sense of security that the body has a natural ability to read itself of lead. The story is more complex than that.

Due to its ability to penetrate and remain in the body, lead is extremely harmful to children’s health. Lead can enter the blood circulation and even reach the brain when a kid breathes lead dust or consumes lead particles. Remember the toothpaste that we mentioned earlier? Lead, alarmingly, can lodge in bones and soft tissues, where it can stay for decades, unlike many poisons that the body removes.

One reason lead is so harmful is that it resembles calcium and iron, two essential minerals necessary for a growing body. Lead, when ingested, mimics these essential nutrients and fools cells into utilizing them instead. This change disrupts the brain’s normal development and functioning.

Like insulation, the protective myelin layer around nerve cells is likewise damaged by lead. Damage to this coating prevents the normal transmission of nerve signals throughout the brain. Physical and mental development, as well as learning and processing information, are all impacted by this harm. It is crucial to limit lead exposure in youngsters because the consequences can be long-lasting and happen at very low exposure levels.

Toothpaste Current Research

After all these years, researchers decided to revisit the exploration of currently available toothpastes and other potential sources of metal contamination. The results are anything but heartening and have raised new concerns for even the most well-known brands of toothpaste.

Many of the popular brands were included in a 2025 research project, and a chart is available here. In fact, you can find information on multiple products and their safety regarding contamination by lead or other materials here. It’s not only toothpaste that we need to be concerned about because we’ve recently been made aware of contaminants, such as metals, in baby food.

In the area of toothpaste, especially for children, 51 Brands were tested and, unfortunately, even those that were supposed to be “green” had issues with contamination. Lead was present in approximately 90% of toothpastes, arsenic in 65%, mercury in slightly less than half, and cadmium in one-third. Many brands have some harmful substances. Many popular brands were found to contain harmful substances, including Crest, Sensodyne, Tom’s of Maine, Dr. Bronner’s, and others.

In their defense, several corporations have pointed out that lead is ubiquitous in nature and thus impossible to eliminate. Currently, the federal Baby Food Safety Act of 2024 is stuck in Congress, which would limit lead levels in children’s food to 10 parts per billion. The lead limit in infant food in California is six parts per billion; however, this does not apply to toothpaste. The majority of toothpastes surpassed those levels.

You can find arsenic in nature just about everywhere: rocks, dirt, water, air, and even some living things. Organic chemicals, including those found in seafood (such as fish and shellfish), are one possible form they can take. However, when we detect unacceptable levels of any heavy metal, such as lead, in a product intended for oral use or ingestion, it is mandatory that we take every possible step to eliminate it. To do less is unconscionable and damaging to children and adults.

As always, it is wise to inform yourself about all the foods and materials that you will either ingest or apply to your body. This research would not have seemed necessary, except that almost 50 years ago, lead was found in toothpaste. Now that we have the information, we can act intelligently with it and protect ourselves and our children.

The post STOP! Brushing Your Teeth May Expose You to Deadly Neurotoxins appeared first on Medika Life.

Understanding the type and frequency of problems connected with dental implant surgery is essential to guaranteeing the best possible patient results and enhancing clinical practices. Postoperative pain and swelling are examples of less severe complications, while implant failure and infection are examples of more serious difficulties.

The patient’s current health status, the surgical technique, the implant design, and the postoperative care can all impact the likelihood and severity of these problems. However, two outstanding issues of concern for those in healthcare and dentistry are, specifically, the costs involved and the financing offered, plus the training and experience of the dentist involved. How many dentists currently engaged in implanting dental work are required by law to have outlined training and experience?

Oklahoma and Oregon are requiring basic implant training after public outcry about subpar procedures. Most general dentists who work with patients daily have seen instances when implant surgery or implant case design fell short of expectations. But there are other forces at work here that may influence not only the standard of care but also the public perception of implantation as safe and effective.

Advertising can play a major role, as we have seen what happened once pharmaceuticals were promoted in direct-to-consumer (DTC) TV ads. The year was 1997, and reports show that pharmaceutical advertising went up to $10 billion annually. To comply with FDA requirements, advertisements must be truthful and promote only pharmaceuticals approved for specific ailments, sometimes known as indications.

Ads for medications also need to explain any potential side effects and provide links to other resources. Would you require a font of a specific size at the bottom of the ads for patients to read for a length of time? Opinions vary regarding the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ambitious mission to ensure that information about prescription drugs is “truthful, balanced, and accurately communicated.”

Consumers and Demand

Patients have now become accustomed to asking their healthcare providers for specific medications after seeing them advertised on television. A patient asked a dermatologist I know for a prescription for a product to promote hair growth. The dermatologist maintains high ethical standards and said, “You don’t want to know what the side effects are, and there are side effects.” The patient did not receive a prescription.

But what about dental implants? The same should be true. If a patient goes to a practice that specializes in dental implants and is told they will have a consult with someone, what type of person would that consultant be? The literature indicates that these individuals are qualified to offer implant financing, not dental health information. And implants can be very expensive, as one woman realized once she signed up for over $60,000 in loans to pay for hers.

The lack of adequate prior information and unethical behavior on the part of dentists willing to pull teeth needlessly to do implants is leading to lawsuits across the country. The lawsuits are not insignificant and number in the tens of thousands, according to an FDA website that has now been made available to consumers. An investigation revealed the feelings of several patients during and after their implant surgery.

While having her teeth extracted and titanium screws torqued into her jawbone, one woman claimed to have become conscious. A sworn deposition from her complaint states that she was unable to chew for over two years due to severely misaligned artificial teeth until she could afford repair surgery at another facility. They charged her $31,000 for the initial implant surgery.

Patients who sought a second opinion after having implants discovered that the teeth that were extracted might have been salvaged with treatment. Therefore, the assumption is that a lack of ethical constraint may be leading some dentists to remove healthy teeth in order to provide implants.

Private Equity Enters the Fields

Over 70,000 dentists in the United States now practice implant surgery. However, we have to wonder how many are adequately trained and experienced to do this work safely and effectively. Might private equity acquisitions of specialist practices in healthcare be adding to patient difficulties?

Over the past several years, private equity firms have invested over $5 billion in acquiring massive dental chains. These chains provide dental implants through a network of hundreds of independently owned dental offices.

The private equity firms would argue that what they bring to dental care is productivity and services that need it. In other words, they claim they have a better business model than is currently in place in most healthcare facilities. What is a better business model in healthcare supposed to center around? What do they do for the patients? Cutting back on facilities, potential training opportunities, experience, and staff while increasing fees would seem to be counter to the mandate of healthcare professionals. As one physician, not a dentist, commented to me recently, “It’s factory medicine.”

And private equity firms are rapidly expanding their influence in medical and dental practices and end-to-end patient care by acquiring hundreds of healthcare companies, including hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, eye care, clinical trials, addiction services, and emergency departments. They have even entered funeral services. The problem is that federal authorities do not always see these deals. Anyone wishing to peek at some of their investments can look at this spreadsheet.

While PE firms are active in dental acquisitions, the extent of their involvement is still unknown. Trends in PE acquisition of dental practices were examined by analyzing dentist provider data for the period 2015–21. Between 2015 and 2021, the proportion of dentists connected with PE rose steadily, rising from 6.6% to 12.8%. And large chains have the ability to advertise widely and increase their patient base. The private dental practice would seem to be at an unfair advantage in terms of media buys.

The Food and Drug Administration has provided information on what consumers should know about dental implants and how they can report related issues. The agency also maintains the MAUDE (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience).

A single analysis of this database yields illuminating results. From January 1, 1996, to December 31, 2011, a grand total of 1,978,056 reports were entered into MAUDE. There were 28,046 reports involving dental devices, accounting for 1.41 percent of the total.

Of these, 26,691 were required reports (from manufacturers, 2,968 from distributors, and 140 from user facilities), while 1,355 were optional. There were 66 fatalities, 17,261 injuries, and 7,777 device malfunctions reported out of 28,046 complaints involving dental devices. In some cases of fatality, investigators believe the source was zinc in the dental adhesive.

Dental implants have benefited dentists and patients with limited options. As in everything, when aggressive surgical actions are taken, unforeseen circumstances can occur. Dental implants may be a viable option for some, but perhaps not all who seek them or who are convinced they need them.

The post Teeth, Implants, and Potential Issues of Profit Against Health and Ethics appeared first on Medika Life.

This essay will briefly explore this hypothesis-generating finding.

Speaking to Helio, study author Sage E. Eiset offers this take:

“The hypothesis is not new but has not yet been investigated in a population-based setting. In Denmark, we have several population-based registries with many years of high-quality data, including a public dental registry. This was a unique opportunity to investigate the tooth agenesis–cancer hypothesis.”

Let’s look at the new and provocative study.

Background

Tooth loss is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world, and cancer is a major health concern that affects millions of people each year.

Previous research has suggested a link between missing teeth from birth and cancer risk, but this link has not yet been thoroughly investigated in a population-based setting.

A new study from Denmark builds on previous research to shed new light on the potential link between missing teeth at birth and cancer risk.

Study Details

Researchers in Denmark looked at records of people born between 1977 and 2018 to see if there was a link between missing teeth at birth and certain types of cancer.

The idea is brilliant.

They collected information from various databases on missing teeth (excluding wisdom teeth) and cancer diagnoses.

The study involved over 2.5 million individuals, with just over 2.8 percent having missing teeth at birth and 1.1 percent being diagnosed with cancer at a young age.

Out of those, 778 people had both missing teeth at birth and cancer.

Study Results: Surprising Connection Found: Missing Teeth At Birth Linked to Cancer Risk

The study found that children aged 1 to 3 years with missing teeth at birth were more likely to develop certain cancers, including the following types:

• leukemia (a type known as acute myeloid leukemia; 3.5 times higher risk)
• neuroblastoma (4.2 times)
• kidney tumors (4.6 times)
• liver cancer (7.1 times)
• muscle cancer (8.8 times)

Children aged 3 to 6.

Children aged 3 to 6 had a higher risk of muscle cancer (rhabdomyosarcoma risk increased 3.5 times) and leukemia (acute myeloid leukemia risk increased 3.8 times).

Children aged 10 to 20.

Between 10 to 20 years old, individuals with missing teeth had an increased bone cancer risk. Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, risk increased by 2.2 times.

Children aged 20 and older.

Finally, young adults aged 20 to 30 had a higher chance of developing appendix (2.5 times) and bladder cancers (3.4 times), while those aged 30 to 40 had a 2.8-fold increase in colorectal cancer risk.

My Take

Do you have a missing tooth (tooth agenesis)?

Tooth agenesis is quite common. On the other hand, the study revealed few cancer cases.

Even if your risk is up to 8.8 times higher for muscle cancer, it is very unlikely you will ever get it.

There are only 400 to 500 children who develop muscle cancer each year.

Why Is There a Tooth Agenesis: Cancer Connection?

The findings may be erroneous; that is, they occurred by chance.
Still, some findings are biologically explainable.

Did you know tooth development is a complex process involving several signaling pathways? Fascinating, right?

These pathways include Wnt, BMP, FGF, Shh, Eda, and others. It’s amazing how many intricate mechanisms are at play to give us our pearly whites!

For example, the AXIN2 gene is connected to tooth anomalies and colon cancer.

Limitations of the Study

The study is registration-based.

While this approach allowed the researchers to build a massive database, it did not allow the establishment of causality.

The findings may be erroneous; that is, they occurred by chance.

Finally, if a very young child had previous cancer therapy, that could impact oral health.

Takeaway Message — Surprising Connection Found: Missing Teeth At Birth Linked to Cancer Risk

A recent study from Denmark found that missing teeth (excluding wisdom teeth) at birth may be linked to an increased risk of certain cancers.

The study, which involved over 2.5 million individuals, found that children aged 1 to 3 years with missing teeth were more likely to develop acute myeloid leukemia, neuroblastoma, kidney tumors, liver cancer, and muscle cancer.

While the study suggests a possible link between missing teeth and cancer risk, it is important to note that the overall risk of developing these cancers is still quite low.

The post Surprising Connection Found: Missing Teeth At Birth Linked to Cancer Risk appeared first on Medika Life.

We will delve into the positive aspects of sparkling water, addressing its impact on hydration, digestion, dental health, and its potential role in reducing sugar intake.

I will also discuss the potential downsides of consuming a drink with bubbles. First, a quote:

Bubbles are round for the same reason that planets are spherical. The universe itself is like bubbles. — Tom Noddy

What is Sparkling Water?

I will begin with this: I don’t enjoy sparkling water very much. But it seems like so many around me love the stuff.

Some call it “seltzer water,” while others prefer “carbonated water.”

The beverage’s gas can be natural, or manufacturers may infuse it into still water. In some forms, sparkling water is a healthy alternative to soda.

Mineral water may have natural bubbles, minerals, and sulfur compounds from a mineral spring. Tonic water contains quinine and sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.

Other seltzers or sparkling waters add sugars or artificial sweeteners. It is important to read the nutrition label before purchasing.

Here are some of the sparkling water types you might consider:

• Club soda
• Mineral water
• Seltzer water
• Soda water
• Tonic water

Benefit #1 — Staying Hydrated and Refreshed

One of the most fundamental aspects of good health is staying properly hydrated.

For me, plain water is an excellent choice for hydration. I drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids daily.

On the other hand, the carbonation in sparkling water can make it more appealing to some, encouraging them to drink more water throughout the day.

We need proper hydration to maintain bodily functions; sparkling water can refresh you. Here are seven reasons why you should drink more water:

7 Reasons Why You Should Drink More Water

Being dehydrated can have negative effects on your body and brain. Here are evidence-based benefits of staying…

www.healthline.com

Benefit #2 — Carbonation Can Be Thirst-Quenching

Additionally, some people find that the carbonation sensation in sparkling water makes it feel more satisfying and thirst-quenching. My nurse Melissa frequently reminds me of this advantage (over plain water).

This satisfaction can facilitate increased water consumption, which benefits overall health.

Not all sparkling waters are created equal; some may have added sugars or sodium, so reading the labels and choosing the healthiest options is essential.

Benefit #3 — Sparkling Water Can Aid Digestion

Digestive health is another area where sparkling water may offer some benefits.

The carbonation in sparkling water can create a sensation of fullness or bloating, which may help some individuals control their appetite or reduce overeating.

However, this effect can vary from person to person, and some of us might experience different satiating effects.

Furthermore, some people find sparkling water alleviates indigestion or mild stomach discomfort. The effervescence might help burp out excess gas and relieve feelings of fullness.

While it’s not a miracle cure for digestive issues, sparkling water can be a soothing choice for occasional discomfort.

Benefit #4 — Dental Health and Sugar Reduction

One of the most significant advantages of sparkling water, especially when compared to sugary sodas or fruit juices, is its minimal impact on dental health.

Sugary beverages can lead to tooth decay and erosion, but sparkling water does not contain the sugars that feed harmful bacteria in the mouth. This problem makes sparkling water far better for preserving your dental health.

Sparkling water can be a valuable tool for those looking to reduce their sugar intake.

Many crave the sweetness of sugary drinks, and sparkling water can provide a satisfying alternative.

Flavored sparkling waters, often naturally flavored and sugar-free, offer various options to cater to different tastes.

Benefit #5 — Carbonated Water May Help Swallowing

Some small studies showed carbonated water helps people clear their throats and swallow better.

Three million Americans have dysphagia or trouble swallowing.

Carbonated water could benefit some of those patients but consult your doctor first.

Downside #1— Sparkling Water and Your Teeth

With its fizzy bubbles and refreshing taste, sparkling water has become a healthier choice than sugary sodas.

However, it’s important to consider its downsides. Firstly, sparkling water can be harsh on tooth enamel due to its acidity, potentially leading to dental problems over time.

A Korean study showed this:

Carbonated water negatively affects etched or sealed enamel, resulting in decreased microhardness and removal of the adhesive material.

Downside #2 — Sparkling Water and Hidden Sweeteners

If you don’t enjoy drinking plain water, sparkling water can be a good alternative to juices and sugary.

The healthiest type of sparkling water is unsweetened and unflavored.

Be careful: Some sweetened sparkling waters and seltzers can add unwanted sugar to your diet.

Sparkling waters high in sugar may cause tooth decay. But plain sparkling water has minimal effects on your teeth, especially when drinking soda.

You can prevent tooth decay by maintaining good oral hygiene and alternating sparkling water with plain water to cleanse your enamel.

Downside #3 — Sparkling Water and Bloating

Moreover, sparkling water carbonation can cause temporary gas and bloating in some individuals, making it uncomfortable for those with sensitive stomachs.

While sparkling water can be a tasty choice, moderation and awareness of these drawbacks are essential for maintaining good oral health and digestive comfort.

People who experience excessive gas or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should avoid sparkling water as it may trigger increased gas and acid reflux symptoms.

You might want to avoid sparkling water altogether if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a digestive problem, and what you eat and drink significantly minimizes symptoms.

Do you bloat after consuming sparkling water? Try slowing down your drinking.

You will swallow more air if you drink (or eat) quickly. Swallow more air, and you can get gaseous distention of the stomach.

One more thing: Straw use may cause you to swallow more air.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sparkling water offers several potential health benefits that can make it an appealing choice for those looking to maintain or improve their well-being.

It can contribute to hydration, aid digestion for some individuals, and be a tooth-friendly alternative to sugary beverages.

Drinking sparkling water in moderation likely will not result in serious bloating, but please drink it in moderation.

It’s essential to consume sparkling water in moderation and be mindful of the specific type of sparkling water you choose. Opt for varieties without added sugars or excessive sodium to maximize health benefits.

While sparkling water can certainly be a part of a healthy lifestyle, it’s crucial to remember that individual responses to carbonation and flavor preferences may vary.

What’s most important is finding beverages that work for you and fit your overall diet and health goals. Is sparkling water a reasonable alternative for those trying to kick a soda habit? Absolutely.

So, the next time you reach for a refreshing, fizzy drink, you can savor it for its taste and the sparkling truth of its potential health benefits.

Final Tips — Choosing a Carbonated Beverage

I will end with three things to look for on carbonated water labels:

• Make sure the drink has no calories or sugar.
• Avoid drinks with regular sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
• Check the sodium content.

Do you drink sparkling water?

The post The Sparkling Truth: Health Benefits (and Harms) of Bubbles appeared first on Medika Life.

In part one of this exciting journey, I shared the fight I endured while battling the pain of my impacted wisdom teeth. Now, there’s no longer a fight to be won because I am the ultimate winner. As I said before, I’m not big on fighting. However, I was determined to regain victory over my wisdom teeth.

A few weeks ago, I made the scariest and maybe the best decision of my life – I finally underwent oral surgery and got my wisdom teeth removed. Let me be the first to say my nerves danced in fear up to seconds before the actual surgery. However, I knew I could no longer bear the pain from something so small yet powerful – my wisdom teeth.

My Friendship With Sleep

Honestly, I was thrilled that I would be placed under anesthesia. I saw this as the secret weapon that would allow me to finally get magical sleep. Magically enough, I was right – post surgery, I slept like a baby. However, I was rudely awakened with immense pain once the “magical sleepy potion” wore off. I quickly shouted, “hooray, no more pain,” but I forgot that there would be even more pain to endure after the procedure.

I immediately thought to myself, “ugh, more pain!” Luckily, a little voice reminded me that the pain was only temporary this time.  

My Friendship With Food

For the first time, I can definitely say that I was transformed back to my “baby stage.” I ate baby food, mashed potatoes, smoothies, Ensure, spaghetti, and rinsed with a ton of salt water. It hurt to my core watching everyone around me eat tacos, burgers, pizza and pasta while I stuck to all the “soft food.” On top of this mini breakup with food, I was in pain 24/7. Sleeping was no longer magical because it was hard to find a comfortable position and I woke up several times throughout the night. Although sleeping was hard, it was the only thing I could do besides making salt & water my best friend and eating baby food.  With this, I got lots of rest. On the contrary, I was miserable all the time.

My Friendship With Medication

It all makes sense now; I understand why Oxycodone is so addictive.

My oral surgeon prescribed Penicillin for protection against infections, multiple doses of Tylenol and Motrin but the real bad boy was the Oxycodone. This was my first time using Oxycodone. My doctor specifically instructed me to “only take this medication as needed because there’s a limited amount of 8 pills only with NO refills.” While under anesthesia, those words barely made it into one ear. However, when the “post-surgery pain beast” was ready to attack, I quickly found the bottle of Oxy. Once again, while reading the bottle’s instructions, I was reminded there were NO REFILLS.

After taking my first dose of Oxycodone, the gates of heaven immediately opened and boom – the magical sleep potion had come over me again and the pain had vanished like it was never there. After waking up, I immediately said to myself “boy – oh – boy, this stuff is GOLDEN!”  Yes, I used ice packs and heating pads but there was nothing like the Oxy.

I slowly watched as the eight prescribed pills lessened and the amount got smaller. If there’s one thing I know for sure, that Oxy worked every single time.

Defeat At Last

As I attempted to make the best out of my situation, I continued to tell myself that “all of this is necessary for a lifetime free of wisdom teeth battles.” Days felt like months, and I became a “certified Googler” because I spent 90% of my time awake searching post-surgery best practices on Google. By day 6, all the Oxycodone was gone – as you should imagine. Thankfully, the pain had also gotten better, and I was able to talk a bit more. Throughout my entire post–surgery journey, I became acclimated to communicating through text and written messages. It was a relief to have the ability to say a few words here and there.

Before I knew it, I was throwing the apple sauce and baby food in the garbage and eating sandwiches and more solid food. I no longer had Oxy, but at least I had food.

Tips and Tricks

Throughout this entire post-surgery journey, there were a few things that made the process easier:

Salt & Water: Yes, rising with this four times a day was the most annoying thing ever, but it made my healing process 10x faster.

Getting rest: Sleeping and utilizing this time to get rest is the best thing you can do to place less stress on the body.

Having a support system: Whether physical or virtual, having people around to assist in caring for you will make recovery smoother.

Utilizing Medication: Let me just come out and say it – Oxycodone “saved” my life. Nonetheless, having some sort of pain reliever is important to assist with pain and discomfort.

Be patient: This is the HARDEST rule of them all because each day seems so long; trust me – the pain will go away, and you’ll be like me – looking back and smiling because I finally overcame my wisdom teeth.

Choosing the right surgeon: This plays a big role in every step of the procedure. You want to choose someone who you’re comfortable with and will be sure to provide accurate guidance. My operating surgeon was Dr. Mark Adamiak with Green Hills Oral Surgery, and they went ABOVE & BEYOND to make this entire process as close to perfection!

The post Defeating My Wisdom Teeth appeared first on Medika Life.

However, I’ve been battling a seemingly endless war with my wisdom teeth. I heard horror stories about other people and their painful teeth, and for a few months now, I have struggled with this excruciating pain. Surprisingly, I also listened to an equal number of stories that ended with, “I had no problem with my wisdom teeth because they grew in perfectly fine.”

Holding on to the hope that my battle would reach a more peaceful conclusion, I prolonged getting my teeth checked. I prayed my story would end with “I had no pain at all.”

This was not the case.

Part One: The Introduction to Pain

The first part of my fight started with minor pain, which worsened over months and evolved into a constant, aching, throbbing sensation. I’ve been trying to find the words to describe this feeling. However, there’s nothing worse than dental pain. It resides in the corner of agony all by itself.

Part Two: The Impossible Solution

You’ve probably figured out how this fight ended—with my wisdom teeth once again winning. The second part of my fight entailed trying to find the perfect over-the-counter medicine to ease my discomfort. There is nothing in this world that can ease these aches. You’re probably listing medications you’re certain would work: Tylenol, Excedrin, Ibuprofen, Motrin, etc. Trust me, I tried them all and without fail, the pain persisted. Even two doses of Motrin combined with two doses of Tylenol every 4 to 6 hours wasn’t enough to give me relief.

Part Three: The Wisdom Teeth Win

The third part of the fight ended up just as you probably predicted— I had to see an orthodontist, who told me that my wisdom teeth were severely impacted and I would need oral surgery to remove them.  Therefore, I was referred to a specialist—an oral surgeon.

Thinking my fight couldn’t get any worse, the surgeon told me that my wisdom teeth were infected, and I was instructed to take oral Penicillin.

That brings me to where I am now. I look back at where I first started – hoping my story would have a joyful ending – and question if there is any way to change the narrative. I’ve shed an endless supply of tears, become accustomed to daily headaches, and returned to my dietary roots: eating baby food—all because of my wisdom teeth.

The Remedy to It All:

As I write about the worst fight of my life and prepare for oral surgery, there are a few things I’ve found that have made my battle a BIT easier:

• Drinking hot liquids: Cold liquids usually made my pain worse. However, tea, coffee, and hot drinks offered my teeth a calming sensation.
• BC Powder: At one point, the pain was so bad that I pulled over to the nearest gas station and stumbled upon this powder and have used it ever since! Applying the powder directly on my teeth and drinking water with the powdered medication helped with my intense pain.
• Getting rest: There were times NOTHING worked, and I had no choice but to sleep. Sleeping in a position where I wasn’t laying on my teeth helped a whole lot!
• Seeking professional help: Yes, I hesitated in getting help from a professional. However, I wouldn’t recommend that you follow my example. It pays to tackle your teeth head-on and immediately, so you won’t end up in a battle similar to mine! 

The post “Going One On One With My Wisdom Teeth” appeared first on Medika Life.