LAST EDITED ON Sep-04-07 AT 07:12 PM (CST)
 
Hi everyone.. I hope I'm posting in the right spot.

Just thought I'd join in the group. I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed under general anaesthetic in July so it's been a bit over a month since then.

The first thing I noticed when all the local anaesthetics had worn off properly - in the middle of the night - was an extreme pain when I moved my tongue. It was so bad, it burned really horribly, and I could hardly move my tongue at all. I assumed that it was just that they had pulled or clamped my tongue and that it was just a pulled muscle. After a few days I realised that the sensation was not what I would expect of a bruise - it was actually numb to touch despite the pain.

Fortunately, once the swelling of my wisdom teeth went down I actually got most of my movement back on my tongue, and so the pain isn't as linked to my tongue movement as it was during that week. So it got a bit better after about 7 days - before then I could barely do anything. But since that time that the movement aspect of it improved, nothing else has changed - it's still the same sensation it's always been and no feeling has come back. It's like a literal split down the centre line of my tongue - everything on the left is numb (including the gum) except for this patch near the tip that often tingles. Sometimes it feels like it's really hot or cold, sometimes it feels like it is bubbling. It also feels really unpleasant when I eat salty things like fries. I don't think I really have any taste on that side either.

It's pretty depressing. My oral surgeon didn't want to make any guarantees that it would get better. I do hate the fact that I can CONSTANTLY feel it, but actually I suppose I can tolerate it most of the time. Although it gets hard to talk without a lisp when I'm really tired, and that can be frustrating. But actually, what I find more debilitating than the nerve damage is that my jaw is still really stiff - I can only open my mouth a few centimetres wide. So I can only eat stuff like sandwiches by shoving them into my narrow little mouth, rather than actually taking a bite, if that makes sense. Does anyone else have that? Is it related to the nerve or just another side effect of the wisdom teeth? The saddest thing at the moment, as well as having trouble eating, is that I can't really play my clarinet properly anymore and I don't know what is causing that, I just can't get my mouth around the mouthpiece enough, air keeps coming out the sides. Sigh....

Anyway, I look forward to hearing more about your experiences, it's great finding so many others like me (although sucks knowing it's that common too)

Hi, it does sound like a nerve has been damaged during your extraction. I'm definitely not an expert or anything, but from what I've read, the tingling or bubbly feeling is a good sign that this will repair itself with time. It's only been a month and a half, so I would give it some time before you get give up hope. I would wait at least 6 months before you get too worried. I know that seems like a long time to put up with it, but your nerve has to repair itself and you may just have to be patient because sometimes those things happen. Like I said, I'm not an expert by any means, but if I were you, I might also consider getting an opinion from another Oral Surgeon, just to see what he/she has to say about your condition and his advice on your situation. I would do this soon if it really bothers you, or wait a couple more months if it's something you can cope with to see if your feeling gradually comes back. I've also read that you should increase your intake of vitamin B12, it is known to contribute to normal nervous system function and might aid in the repair of damaged nerves. I don't know if this is true, but B vitamins are good for you and it won't hurt anything. As for your jaw, I don't know much about that, but I think it would be worth it to get another professional opinion. I think you'll find it might put your mind at ease and give you hope for a full recovery. ~Cari

Hi
I have done the same operation (just for 1 tooth) on 17 July... and guess what .. the same as u... no feeling and no taste... I went to nerve specialist and he told me to wait till the end of 3 months... if no improvement then i should an operation..

for the jaws i had the same problem... and till now i cannt open my mouth well but what i found helping is to try to open it using your fingers, it hurts at the beggining but then it improves... just open it as much as u can and then use ur fingers to press it more... I used to do this every hour... it helped alot

As for taste, try to make sure if u are tasting or not. Just today i found out that i still have around 1% of my taste ... try putting some salt or sugar on the front part of the numb half... after i put lots of salt i felt something like a taste.

Now i am waiting for 1 more month... hope it work and wish the same for u ....

Regards

krosp,

Your jaw should be opening more then it is after a month of healing. You may benefit from physical therapy. During PT you could use ultrasound, cold laser, hot/cold compresses, electrical stim and masssage to relieve your jaw tightness. There are also therapy technigues that you can do that can help you get your range of motions and function back. Talk to your dentist or doctor about a referral.

"T"

Hi everybody, I am glad to say that some of the feeling has come back in my tongue the only problem is that it is mostly pain and burning. I have minimal taste on the left side of my tongue but it seems to be improving since I can now tell sugar from salt lol. One major problem I am having is that the left side of my face, neck, throat and head hurt quite a bit. I am wondering if this might have something to do with the extraction or could be something entirely different. I was on antibiotics before and after the surgery. I am now taking motrin and naproxen around the clock, because the pain gets quite severe.
Has anyone else experienced this? Please let me know.

Hi Im new here too. I had an extraction today and I have no feeling, taste , or sensations of any kind on the left side of my tongue. When the dentist injected me I had this horroble, burning pain running down the side of my tongue. I was wondering and hoping that this numb feeling will go away. I had no idea that having a tooth extracted could leave you with a numb tongue.

LAST EDITED ON Sep-11-07 AT 10:32 PM (CST)
 
My daughter had her wisdom teeth removed in July 2007 and she is numb from the ridge line in the tongue to the right side and all in her jaw line. This is very depressing and she has had no change. From everything I have read and from other people I have spoken to it's a malpractice suit. I hate to go that far, but this is horrible. No one should have to experience this pain, the feeling of a swollen tongue and lisping towards the end of the day not to mention no taste.

I am going to take her to Atlanta here is a # for you to call they were great with information call them.....from what I understand people travel from Hawaii, California to see this physician 678-819-6514 just tell them you have lingual nerve damage....they will point you in the right direction

hi im als