Before removing wisdom teeth, read this NJ warning

The Partnership for a Drug Free NJ has released two PSAS that focus on the dangers of drug and opiate trafficking

Dentists are the number one prescribers of opiates to children between the ages of 10 and 19

Parents are urged to discuss alternative non-addictive pain relievers with dentists prior to wisdom tooth extraction

A warning to anyone who needs to have their wisdom teeth removed.

The Partnering for a Drug Free New Jersey released 15- and 30-second video public service announcements focusing on key issues facing New Jersey families, specifically opiates and wisdom teeth extraction.

In 2023, PDFNJ decided that one of its most important efforts would be to alert parents to the very real dangers of opiate use, particularly opiates prescribed for wisdom teeth removal, said PDFNJ Executive Director Angelo Valente.

He said this is important because dentists are the number one prescriber of opiates to children between the ages of 10 and 19.

A study of 12th graders followed up to age 23 showed that prescription opioid use before high school graduation was independently associated with a 33% increased risk of future opioid abuse after high school among patients with little drug experience and who disapproved of illicit use of drugs, Valente added.

Why the focus on wisdom teeth?

“There are so many young people who are exposed to opiates for the first time as a result of a wisdom tooth extraction and there are really many alternatives that do not have the same consequences and where addiction can occur. Valente said.

Also referred to a 2018 Stanford University Study This showed that 6% of young patients and adolescents who received an opiate for wisdom teeth extraction became opiate dependent one year later.

What else can be taken for wisdom teeth pain?

There are safer alternatives to managing acute pain without opiates, Valente said. Many dentists have used over the counter medications, ibuprofen and other medications that they have found to be very effective in treating this type of pain.

“The best way to keep a young person, or anyone for that matter, away from potential opiate addiction is to be opiate naïve,” Valente said.

Many studies have shown that there are other opiate medications that are safe to treat the pain of dementia, he added.

What are PSA videos about?

The two PSA videos are aimed at parents.

“We ask that parents have this conversation with the dentist prior to the procedure to discuss what alternatives to opiates may be available as a first line of defense in dealing with this acute pain,” Valente said.

The brain continues to develop until a young person reaches their 20s. Opiates are drugs that change the brain. So it would be best not to have to use these drugs to modify the brain at any point when safe alternatives are available.

What is the basic package?

“We hope this is a message that will be universal, that we will always look for an alternative to opiates, especially for a young person,” Valente said.

All PDFNJ public service announcements can be found on New Jersey Transit buses, trains, PATH trains, bus shelters and billboards throughout the state.

Jen Ursillo is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. She can be reached at jennifer.ursillo@townsquaremedia.com