wisdom teeth are getting pulled and I'm FREAKING OUT!!!!

[CleKait]

Sorry I'm not sure how to high light just part of the sentence? Anyhow, How come no straws? How do I take my pain meds or drink anything?

Because of the sucking motion, I believe. It'll pull the stitches out.
But that's a rough guess of what I remember of all the 2 page list of instructions I was given.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Using a straw creates suction, which will grab those blood clots right out of the sockets. Sorry to be graphic, but that is it. And that means drysocket, which means excruciating pain. Drink from a glass like normal, you will have no problems opening your mouth that far, don't worry about that.

Yep, exactly. If you get a dry socket.....NO amount of pain meds (narcotic or otherwise) will alleviate the pain, only oil of cloves.

You can drink, you just can't suck. The oral surgeon will explain it to you and give you a little piece of paper with the instructions on it.

Oh, don't try spitting out the window!!!!!!!!!!!! This is always a challenge on the highway, but doubly so when you're loopy.

I had a mouth filled with ewwy blood (that's the technical, medical term - ewwy - you may or may not be familiar) and saliva on the way home. Still dopey from the surgery, I attempted to spit it out the window. DH was yelling for me to NOT attempt this, but I figured he was full of it. Rolled the window down, stuck my head out and spat.

Needless to say, there was blood all over the car and some on DH.

You know your husband loves you when you do the exact thing he yelled for you to not do, cover his car and body with blood...and he doesn't comment, still helps you out of the car and gets you situated before going out to clean it. ...and never brings it up again. I really do have a great DH.

LOL, You DO have an awesome husband. My husband had his wisdom teeth surgically extracted by my Dad (no general anesthesia, just local b/c he is a general DDS)...he fainted dead away.....he never felt a thing...

 

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

I forgot to mention that all four are impacted and the bottom left one, well let's just say that they will probabaly have to cut my gums to get that one out. They are all growing in side ways completely!!!

 

[alliecats]

I had to have gums cut too, couldn't tell any difference in the healing. Try not to think so much about the technical part of things (easier said than done) because anticipation is going to be the toughest part of this, I am sure. Good luck!

 

[MerryPoppins]

It's not fun but it's not THAT bad. I had mine out in college and have cared for DH and both my kids when they had theirs out...both in high school.

Stock up on applesauce, pudding, ice cream, jello, yogurt...think cold and smooth. Then after the first day (I think it is) they'll let you try warm things and things with more texture. Have soup, instant mashed potatoes, soft mac and cheese, cottage cheese, cheese whiz, etc. on hand. I also think they want you to avoid soda and coffee. So have some drinks on hand that will fit the bill. I'd avoid orange and pineapple juices because of the acid. It might burn like heck.

Take your medication for the first couple of days. Don't let the pain take hold. It's easier to keep the pain at bay than to get it back under control. And plan to sleep a lot. Better to miss a day or two than to sit there and hurt.

Plan a few movies to watch when you start to feel better. Or if you like to read, have a new book or magazines around.

Follow instructions to the letter. Do ice packs as instructed and avoid a dry socket at all costs. Not fun!

 

[Sandy321]

Cool Beans - what an awesome love story!! (I have a dh like that too, I had a fever of 102 he told me to stay in bed he'd take care of everything, I got up to start the dishwasher, put regular dish soap in - bubbles everywhere!!)

Missy nerves are normal - have on hand a few things - soup (clear broth or tomato soup made with 1/2 and 1/2 or milk will fill you up and no chewing!!)

Take a garbage bag - for spitting - and extra tissues and gauze! (they will give you gauze, but you can never have too much gauze) and you dont want a cool beans situation!!

ice paks - if you have a small insulated lunch bag - please pak ice paks - believe it or not the sooner you put the ice paks on your face, the less likely you will look like a chipmunk!! and it feels good too!

Pain Pills - if you can get your prescription BEFORE you have your procedure, than its one less stop you have to make - and the sooner you can take your meds!!

get some good lounge jammies, and a few good movies to entertain you with!! Go to the library, etc for those movies!! have them lined up!!

 

[luvmyfam444]

I had mine out when I was 21. I was completely knocked out & did all 4 at one time. It was painful as I recall but I had heavy drugs & slept for 2 days. YOu do need someone to take care of you - my fiance & mom waited on me hand & foot. you do have to change out your gauze & stuff so if you have a week stomach for blood then you need someone else to do that for you . My brother fainted when he saw his came come out (he was about 18) - but he also fainted when his dog had surgery!

I also had not been knocked out for anything & that was no problem at all. And as long as I tookd the pain meds before they wore off it wasn't bad at all.

I can remember having all the milkshakes I wanted at the time! SO NICE!

BUT DO IT! It's not worth it to screw up your teeth! It will be SOO worth it in the long run - as long as you have pain meds handy if you need them you'll be fine!

 

[Sandy321]

Sorry I'm not sure how to high light just part of the sentence? Anyhow, How come no straws? How do I take my pain meds or drink anything?

dont worry, you may drool a lot, but because of the meds, you wont remember a thing!!

Future dil had hers out and asked to recuporate here - no problem... she didnt look great for the first 24 hours, and I made sure to have a small garbage can and lots of tissues - it looks a lot grosser than it really is!

and take the list of soft foods posted earlier!! Get your favorite jellos and puddings - dont forget Popscicles - or those ones in a bag you freeze - all to help keep your mouth numb!!

 

[Piglet4Ever]

I am 35 and had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled back in June. Three were impacted one was out. I choose not to go under because I am afraid of it, so I just had laughing gas and novicain(sp) I brought some music to listen too and I did just fine. It was kinda freaky hearing the crunching sounds my teeth made while they were being pulled, but with the laughing gas going I really really really didn't care hahaha..... My biggest problem was the I didn't eat very much cause I was afraid my blood clots would come loose, I lost about 5 lbs actually, out it all back on though. Also had a problem with one of my blood clots growing over the tooth next to it and that grossed me out, went to the doc and he cut some of it away, the rest went away on its own a few days later. After all is said and done I am glad I finally got them out before I started having real problems with them. Good Luck!

 

[bumbershoot]

I forgot to mention that all four are impacted and the bottom left one, well let's just say that they will probabaly have to cut my gums to get that one out. They are all growing in side ways completely!!!

Since we're in the same town, I wonder if I know of your dentist! (by the way, were you the one who saw me and DS at Disneyland?)

My brother is 35, and he just recently had his out. No dentist felt capable of pulling them before, because I guess the roots were wrapped around nerves in his jaw? Something incredibly complicated, and each dentist would give the odds that he'd have xyz problems, and it wasn't worth it to them. PLus, when he graduated college he went into the Air Force, and he didn't trust those dentists at all. But now he has the means to find someone beyond talented, and he had it done and all was well. Doesn't sound like yours are as complicated as his were, though!

I had a mouth filled with ewwy blood (that's the technical, medical term - ewwy - you may or may not be familiar)

...


Oh yes, I'm familiar. So is an Urgent Care doctor I once saw, after dropping a table on my toenail. She looked at it and said, and I quote, "ew!"

Ah, such confidence that inspired in my heart...

 

[arminnie]

The most important thing is to have it done by a competent ORAL SURGEON. It really does make a HUGE difference.

Going to a regular dentist for impacted wisdom teeth is sort of like going to a general surgeon for a heart bypass. Not the best route. It could work out okay, but the probablilty of success is so much higher with someone with extra training and experience.

I had two removed at age 60. One had 4 roots that had barbs on them. My oral surgeon had to cut the tooth in pieces to remove it.

It was absolutely a piece of cake. I kept ice on my face for about 24 hours (even while sleeping). I had no swelling at all. I really credit the superb skill of my oral surgeon with the successful outcome.

 

[Mermaid02]

I'm getting all four of my impacted wisdom teeth and maybe the ones next to them depending on how bad they are pushing on my other teeth pulled out January 17th and I am really scared to the point where I'm thinking about not going through with the surgery. I've never been put under so I'm freaking out about that too! I would like to know about your experience good or bad and what to expect during and after the surgery? Thank you for taking the time to read this post and reply! P.S. Please don't hold back, because I would like to know everything! Thanks!

I had all 4 (impacted) out at once and it wasn't bad at all. No bruising, no swelling and very little pain. I was actually kind of disappointed. Being put out is no big deal, of course they HAVE to tell you every bad thing that could possibly happen- but don't worry about it.

 

[Christine]

My DD (16) just had this done this past Friday (12/21). She was in some pain that night but nothing that the 600 mg. of ibuprofen didn't take care of. The next afternoon (Saturday) she was bored enough and well enough to want to hit the malls, so we did.

She was eating prime rib on Christmas day. It was really easy.

She did have a little bit of swelling but I think that's because we didn't use the ice on the second day because she was tired of it. So, I think the swelling would have been better had she sat at home that day.

Good luck and I know the thoughts of it are scary. I had it done over 20 years ago and it was a cinch then too!

 

[believe]

DH and I both had our's removed.

My experience: I actually had 5 wisdom teeth. All were impacted. I was 'put out'. I vaguely remember being walked to the car, DH drove me home. I slept for a while, then was up and about. MIL came over in case she was needed but I actually made her breakfat the next morning Very easy experience. I do remember swelling.

DH's experience: 4 impacted removed. We stopped for his medication, I locked him in the car so he could sleep We went home, DH called his parents to come over and play cards.

Neither of us needed the medication.

 

[mjkacmom]

I had 4 impacted taken out, twilight sedation, in his office. I was at the max amount of valium legally allowed, and I was still wide awake (but high as a kite, and in no pain - it was actually fun). However, like an IDIOT, I used a straw when I got home, and got a dry socket. How do you know if you have a dry socket? You will experience the absolute worst pain of your entire life (at the time, I had given birth to 3 children the old fashioned way, had a c/s with my twins, and had undergone an open lung biopsy and abdominal surgery - piece of cake compared to the dry socket). I had to go get it packed every day, sometimes twice a day, for 2 weeks. The upside was I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks - I was skinny!

Anyway, except for the dry socket, it wasn't really that painful!

 

[Mischa]

I really wish I hadn't seen this thread. My dentist has referred me to an oral surgeon to have mine taken out (all four). I've been delaying it because of a few things 1) they don't hurt; 2) financial; and 3) I hate going to the dentist.

Last year I had to have two teeth extracted and also root canal. He didn't put me out for that. It hurt but wasn't too bad (but I do have a high tolerance for pain).

But the dentist said she wants me to have them taken out and to do all four at the same time and they would put me out this time. I'm still scarred!

Question...what does impacted mean? Thanks!

To the OP - good luck!!

 

[Christine]

Question...what does impacted mean? Thanks!

To the OP - good luck!!

Impacted just means that they are in the bone and under the gum line.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I had all 3 of mine out at age 18 (the fourth one never appeared). It was at the oral surgeon, so I was asleep. I felt loopy the rest of the day - I HAD to have someone drive me home (required by the surgeon). There was a little bleeding - I put some tea bags on the gums. I had mashed potatoes for dinner - they went down nice and easy. The only bad thing was the darn Tylenol 3 (the stuff with codine) - it irritated my stomach to much b/c I hadn't eaten enough, so I barfed. A lot. After the 4the upchuck, I got worried and made my mom call the doctor. Doctor said stop taking the T3 and switch to some OTC stuff and I was fine. I am pretty sure I was eating regular foods in about 3 or 4 days at most.

 

[nataliela]

I was 17 and went to an oral surgeon to get 4 impacted wisdom teeth and an extra baby tooth in the front taken out. I was completely knocked out. Actually the IV was the worst part of the whole experience. I do remember waking up for like 2 seconds and hearing the drills.

When my dad picked me up and put me in the car, I was laughing at my puffy cheeks in the rearview mirror. The nurse said that I will be a good drunk when I get older?? And that the girls who cry after waking up are usually bad drunks? Haha my dad still laughs at that one.

I took one vicodin when I got home and that was it. The rest of the time I took Tylenol. I slept for 2 days and ate smoothies and pudding with spoons.

Like others have said do NOT use a straw. Also, do NOT brush your teeth! Yes, your breath will be disgusting and your mouth will feel gross for a couple of days, but that can cause dry sockets also.

On the third day I went to dance team practice, but did not dance, I just sat there with a bandana and ice around my face. Wisdom teeth were really popular that summer because I knew 5 other people get it done

Around the 5th day I ate steak although I couldn’t eat that much of it because it was hurting my gums

 

[daisax]

I had all mine out -- 2 one year, 2 a few years later. Both by an oral surgeon. Both procedures took less than 20 minutes under an iv barbiturate of some type. Basically he said "You're going to feel a bit woozy..." then I blinked and woke up, thinking hours had gone by, and when I could lift my arm to look at my watch saw that 20 mins had gone by.

Didn't have to fill the painkiller scrip either time, and just went home, took a nap. Maybe took some advil or something later that night, but don't recall any special precautions in terms of food. No swelling whatsoever.

It was a total non-event for me both times, and frankly, when it comes up in conversation, I find that a good percentage of people don't experience the horror stories that always seem to be associated with the procedure. I'm not saying they don't happen, but it seems like with the right medical care you're as likely to simply have a drowsy medicated afternoon/evening out of it as any kind of dramatic pain and suffering.