Please raise your hand if you've had your wisdom teeth removed.

[dazzamre]

Okay, I went to the dentist today, and he wants me to go to an oral surgeon and have my wisdom teeth and the tooth that's been giving me trouble removed (5 total). He suggested I have them all done at one time, but that it was up to me. So here's my question, if you've had your wisdom teeth out, what do I need to know? Should I have them all done at one time? What's the heal time on this? Anything you think I should know, short of "run screaming from the dentist and never, ever go back." ;)

*whimpers* I don't deal well with pain, and I'm not looking forward to this.

Comments

[madame-d.livejournal.com]

*raises hand* Had them done TWO WEEKS before I left for Australia; that was daring.

I'd get them removed all at once just to deal with the pain all at once, though I wouldn't plan on working the next day. Mine had all grown out and I had them removed all together. I was totally out of it the day of surgery, completely fine the day after, and on Vicodin the next 3 days, so go figure.

Things to know: get the max amount of anesthesia short of general (which isn't good for you): I had Valium, laughing gas and local. Drugs are of the good. If you get it done in the morning, don't even *think* of working/doing anything that day. Get home, take drugs (they'll probably give you drugs) and go to sleep. You *will* live on baby food, apple sauce and oatmeal for the next few days - it's not that bad.

The surgery itself was a blur - the pain afterwards was kind of... eh, somewhere between 'mommy!' and 'please please kill me now' - removing the gauze is the ickiest thing ever, though.

Have someone go with you to the surgery - you won't be in any condition to drive in either direction.

Most importantly: don't fret; it's over quickly. Frankly, a week after the surgery I couldn't even remember that I *had* it and was wondering why it'd taken me so long to get it done (my wisdom teeth took their sweet time to grow in and *that* was quite a bit of pain througout the years; I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, it was awful).

*hugs*

}:)

[dazzamre.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the wonderful advice. :)

I think I'm going to try to get it done over the Christmas break. I considered Thanksgiving, but that's all about eating, and I have a huge assignment due the next week (and while I've done assignments on pain medicine before, it's not my preferred way to work ;)).

Why is general so bad? Just curious in case he suggests that.

And no worries about going alone. I'll need Mom to comfort me, and she'll need Dad and probably my grandmother to keep her sane. She's more worried about it than I am. ;)

My wisdom teeth have been a pain (literally and figuratively) since they started coming in, and I guess I knew it was just a matter of time before they had to come out.

*hugs* Thanks again!

[madame-d.livejournal.com]

Why is general so bad? Just curious in case he suggests that.

For a whole variety of health reasons, not the least of which are long-term effects on short-term memory.

I don't remember all the details but I remember reading an article that said that the less you get put under, the better.

}:)