Pulling The Trigger –

August 21, 2019 – Every year, about 5 million Americans, most of whom are adolescents and young adults, have their wisdom teeth removed. Many of them are prescribed opioids for the pain during recovery. The American Dental Association said that after updating its guidelines advising against prescribing opioids, dentists wrote almost half a million fewer prescriptions in 2017 compared to five years earlier.  But that still amounted to a staggering 18.1 million prescriptions — and some families are living with the devastating consequences. 

That includes Ellen Earley, whose daughter Saige was a young mother doting on her 16-month-old son Julian. In 2017, 22-year-old Saige needed to have her wisdom teeth removed.  When the dentist prescribed opioids to help manage her pain, Earley said, he gave “no warning, no nothing” about the potential risks. “In fact, he said, ‘you know, I think they gave her a five-day supply,’ and he said, ‘if you need more, just let me know. Just give a call,’” Earley recalled.  

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