Wisdom Teeth

[Jimmy Choo]

Ok.... I'm having my wisdom teeth out in a couple weeks. I know right, tons o' fun!!! I've gotten a lot of stuff from my doctor like the post-op instructions, etc. So it's not like I'm trying to use GC for medical advice. I have a rough idea of what to expect. (and btw... they are taking out all four of mine at once) However..... I know so many people have such differnt responses to this particular surgery. I was wondering if any of you would be willing to share their experiences and any useful tips. I really want to bounce back as fast as possible. Thanks my fellow GC'ers!

[WVU alpha phi]

I didn't get any prescribed painkillers and was just advised to take a large amount of over the counter medicine (as opposed to my friends, who all got Percoset and Vicodin and other stuff). I had a really quick recovery, I was able to eat most normal foods within 3 days, wasn't in any pain just some minor discomfort at times, and that's about it. The only REALLY bad thing was that I threw up A LOT the first 2 days, but I think it was a mixture of all the blood I had swallowed (sorry for being graphic) and a bad reaction to the anesthia.

[aephi alum]

I had all 4 wisdom teeth extracted at once when I was 19. The doctor messed up one of the anesthetic blocks, so one extraction hurt - but as soon as I yelled, he re-did the block, let it take effect, and then tried again. That was the worst of it. I was up and about and eating solid food the next day. I took nothing stronger than Advil for the pain.

Translation: I had a really good oral surgeon, my teeth weren't too far gone at the time of the surgery, and I was very lucky.

Follow your doctor's instructions to the letter. Lay in plenty of soft foods, and don't drink through a straw (I'm sure your doc told you that).

Good luck to you. I hope your surgery goes as smoothly as mine did.

[Kevin]

A lot about that surgery depends on the individual -- where the teeth are, etc. So for some, like me, who was out with friends the night after the surgery, it's not so big a deal.

For others, it is. Good luck with your surgery.

[kddani]

Make sure you have someone with you who will be capable of helping you get back to your place - not just driving, but walking. I had the twilight stuff and was doped up the rest of the day. They said I'd be able to walk out on my own, but my poor grandfather struggled just to get me to the car. I went home and slept for a few hours. I got up to go to the bathroom- and walked into the door three times before I realized I had to open it!

I didn't have much pain at all and I wasn't too terribly swollen. The next day I went out to eat and ate a grilled chicken sandwich! The hardest part was that your mouth is real tight - you can't open it up wide. Chewing didn't hurt or anything. The only day I really needed soft stuff was the first day. I had painkillers, I only took them for like a day and a half just because - I didn't really need them. After that it was just a bit sore- I just took some tylenol.

I got sick exactly one week after I had them out, but I'm pretty sure it was unrelated.

Other tips- make sure you sleep on an old pillow case when you get home and for the next day. Maybe even double up the pillow case - you will drool, and it will be blood tinged. Something else gross is that you'll have that coppery blood taste in your mouth for about a week. Your breath won't be too pleasant, either

[Reds6]

I was sick as a dog! I actually went back to work after the procedure because I was still numb, I was sent home by supervisor with anticipation of upcoming pain. I wasn't so much in pain as WVU alpha phi said, I threw up a lot. Same thing happened to another co-worker. I think it's was a combination of the meds and anesthesia. Also I would recommend getting the prescription for the stronger meds f the pain is intense, but would try Aleve first. BTW, I only had two removed and because of my experience I would only have the others removed if I absolutely had too. Good Luck!

[SoCalGirl]

I had all four pulled when I was 14. They gave me shots and gas. Then I remember the needle going towards my arm for them to hook up the IV. I then started waking up. That's all I remember of the actual surgery.

I was able to eat white bread that night. I think they gave me a couple vicodin after too. It all went smoothly!

[carnation]

Check the threads at the bottom of the page too!

[christiangirl]

I could post my comments, but I'm lazy....here ya go

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=69016

[AChiOhSnap]

I'm terrified of surgery and anything like that, so I was a wreck before I got my four wisdom teeth out. Because I was so scared, the oral surgeon gave me a sedative shot (which doesn't put you totally under but you are REALLY out of it) along with nitrous oxide and novocaine. I was pretty anxious, so I was huffing N02 like it was going out of style. My doctor actually had to tell me not to breathe it in so deeply, but it helped a lot. If you're anxious about the procedure, see if the doctor can sedate you.

During the surgery, I sort of remember the doctor actually taking out the teeth, but parts were blank. It didn't hurt at all, and I was so, so out if it that I didn't even care that I could feel the "pressure" of the extraction. It was over in about 20 or 30 minutes.

If you get a sedative injection, prepare to be really "funny" afterwards... You definitely have to have a friend or relative to drive you home. I guess I belligerently started demanding that my mom take me to get a Chili's milkshake (??? I don't remember this at all) on the way home, even though it was only 8:30AM. She had to drive by the restaurant to prove it wasn't open yet.

I wasn't swollen but I did have a bit of soreness later on that day and into the next. I was prescribed Vicodin and it helped somewhat but I guess I don't really respond to painkillers as well as some people. I used a lot of icepacks and that actually worked better than the Vicodin.

My best advice is to take a few days off, rent some seasons of a TV show you've been wanting to see (I made it all the way through the entire series of Arrested Development) and plan on vegging on the couch. Stock up on slimfast/meal replacement shakes and mushy foods like pasta for the few days after the procedure.

I'm sure your doctor told you to not use straws or smoke for a week afterwards. My good friend smoked the day after he got his wisdom teeth out and he gave himself the most painful dry sockets... it was horrible.

Hope that helps, good luck with everything!

Ii am 38 and still have all four of mine. My dentist says there is no need to take them out if they have not bothered me so far! alll i know is i was doing the happy dance especially after hearing that after having a molar extracted i cant take dental pain well.

[ziasha07]

I had all four out at once when I was 14 or 15. Bed, ice cream, and pain killers for three days. It was heaven!

[Jimmy Choo]

ok, so I totally should have searched this first before I posted! Sorry for a repeat thread!

Thanks everyone so far for your replies. A couple of those things I hadn't heard before (kddani-thanks for the good pillowcase tips! I hadn't thought of that.) I have to admit I'm scared to death b/c I've never had surgery before. I've had stitches as a kid but that doesn't count b/c they just numb the area, not you. So as for how I'm going to react to the happy juice.... I have no clue. I do get an IV, that's all I know. And Percocet. Although my surgeon told me to take as few as possible. He encourages that I only take them the first day and then move over to an OTC. My only challenge will be since I struggle taking pills between pain killers and antibotics, I may go loopy trying to force down the pills!

But once again, thanks for all the FYI's and keep them coming!! One can never have too many thoughts on something like this!

[WVU alpha phi]

Originally Posted by kddani

Make sure you have someone with you who will be capable of helping you get back to your place - not just driving, but walking. I had the twilight stuff and was doped up the rest of the day. They said I'd be able to walk out on my own, but my poor grandfather struggled just to get me to the car. I went home and slept for a few hours. I got up to go to the bathroom- and walked into the door three times before I realized I had to open it!

So true. I have no memory of doing this, but my mom told me when I was ready to go home I stood up and gave the nurse a hug. Then I proceeded to walk to the side of the room where the door was in my first room (I woke up in a recovery room) and hit the wall. It was also really amusing to see the text messages I sent to my boyfriend on the way home.. reminded me of my texting after 10+ drinks.

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally Posted by ecupidelta

So as for how I'm going to react to the happy juice.... I have no clue

You will go to Happy Land. I promise. From one person who was terrified to another...you'll be fine once you get the shot.