Wisdom teeth

[Brent]

I have to get 2 of mine removed Next Thursday Morning. They are both on the bottom. I'll be out for the operation(which I've never had before) and I can only eat soft foods for at least the first couple of days. So... tell me your horror stories.

[GalvestonDuck]

Wish I could tell ya a horror story, but I don't have one. I had two wisdom teeth, on top. They came in slow and, finally, when they were sticking out enough, I went to the dentist. He said he could just numb my gums with novacaine and yank 'em...and he did.

I had four permanent teeth extracted before they even grew in when I was younger and I had to have braces twice (once in the second grade and once in the fourth). Orthodontist said I had too many teeth. Imagine that -- a Kentuckian with TOO MANY teeth? So, my wisdom teeth weren't as far back as most people's are and not as hard to take out. I still have a mouthful of teeth and they're fairly straight (except that I didn't wear my retainer enough and I used to be a nailbiter which can shift them a bit). I'm obsessive about my teeth and love (yes, I said love) going to the dentist. I even liked it as a kid. Never really was bothered by needles or all the orthodontic work. And I love getting them cleaned.

I hope all goes well with it, Brent. It really shouldn't be too bad. Just relax and take it easy afterwards. And don't use a straw! I hear dry sockets are a pain.

[Brent]

I'm obsessive about my teeth and love (yes, I said love) going to the dentist. I even liked it as a kid. Never really was bothered by needles or all the orthodontic work. And I love getting them cleaned.

You might be the first person I know who loves the dentist.

I hate going. Teeth cleaning doesn't bother me, but anything more than that is bad. I had braces for a couple of years. I'm not so worried about the actual event, but after it. I'm one who loves junk food and just loves to eat hard food in general.

Thanks for the well-wishes.

[senorpepr]

Well... here's my story. When I was stationed in Germany I had mine removed. All four at the same time. They put me out. When I woke up, I didn't even realize they removed the teeth! My mouth was stuffed with gauze and my friend had already picked up my medicine. I walked home from the dentist (it was a small military base, so it wasn't but a few blocks to my dorm room). I slept for a little bit and then bought some soup and pudding. However, although I'm a skinny guy, I LOVE to eat. So much so that it was too much for me to live off of soup and pudding. After a day, although my mouth wouldn't open for a few centimeters, I could food normal foods, but I had to rip it apart into small enough pieces where I could swallow without chewing. MMMmmm! My first meal was several McDonalds' cheeseburgers! In the end, I did have a little problems with the clot forming, so I had a little prolonged bleeding. That was easily fixed at the dentist, though. Otherwise, it was painless. I didn't even use the medicine they gave me because of the lack of pain! It all depends how complicated the precedure will be (how straight your teeth are and if they're impacted) and how the dentist's skill is, which I'm sure is quite well. If a military dentist can remove all four on me without pain, I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck though and keep us posted!

[Skywatch_NC]

Brent,

I had 4 wisdom teeth removed when I lived in Ohio (this was back in the mid 1980's). 2 were actually located near my sinuses. I had to have soft foods like you'll be having...ice cream, pudding, applesauce, flavored yogurt, juices
and water. There is a thing called "dry socket" that a post-operative wisdom tooth patient and his caretakers need to be aware of...probably will be mentioned in a home care instructions sheet that you'll bring home from the oral surgeon. I never had "dry socket" thankfully...and was my usual self not TOO many days later.

I wish you the VERY best, Wxbuddy and prayers and thoughts sent your way.

Eric

[Brent]

Brent,

I had 4 wisdom teeth removed when I lived in Ohio (this was back in the mid 1980's). 2 were actually located near my sinuses. I had to have soft foods like you'll be having...ice cream, pudding, applesauce, flavored yogurt, juices
and water. There is a thing called "dry socket" that a post-operative wisdom tooth patient and his caretakers need to be aware of...probably will be mentioned in a home care instructions sheet that you'll bring home from the oral surgeon. I never had "dry socket" thankfully...and was my usual self not TOO many days later.

I wish you the VERY best, Wxbuddy and prayers and thoughts sent your way.

Eric

Yeah... I went a few weeks ago and they went over the procedure and potential after-effects and all that.

Thanks for the well-wishes.

[StormCrazyIowan]

Good luck Brent!

One of mine is making it's presence known now... I can feel it pushing through my gums!

As far as liking the dentist? I've never had a cavity or anything major so a trip to the dentist has just been for cleaning for me! (Although I still think I should have had braces!)

[ColdFront77]

Good luck, Brent.

I thought this would be worth a read: Fellow Storm2K member had wisdom teeth removed earlier this year

[Miss Mary]

I also have had a few oral surgeries. You sleep off and on after you get home. And follow instructions on gargling, rinsing and eating specific type foods. Only trouble I had was a dry socket, but regular pain meds took care of that. And it didn't get infected, thankfully they just said to watch for it. I was very careful to rinse and keep the area clean, but still developed the dry socket. They told me it was fairly common.

I will add that I've had two major colon surgeries, 5+ years ago. Prior to each scheduled date, I had many pre-op tests done. Before my first colon surgery, they asked me history type questions - had I had anesthesia before, strong pain meds (Morphine/Demerol), surgery, etc. I muttered a few "surgeries" - D & C's (female procedures!), oral surgery, etc. The technican shook his head. I repeated I had ORAL surgery.....he said well, that's not major surgery....nothing like having your appendix out? C-section? I said no.....I could tell none of my past procedures counted.

So in other words, I hope that makes you feel better - oral surgery isn't considered major surgery and is performed thousands of times per day. So routine now, there are rarely, if ever, complications! My mom was a basket case waiting for her cataract "surgery", she was told the same thing - relax, these are done so frequently now, they've become routine.

You'll do fine Brent!

Mary

[Brent]

Thanks all. I've had teeth pulled before and fillings before... outside of the annoying novacane it was OK.

[Jack8631]

I've had more dental work than should be allowed by law. The big issue with any extraction is dry socket. Avoid that, and you'll be fine. Good luck, "old" buddy!

[Brent]

Will be leaving here shortly.

[Lindaloo]

I know OtherHD just went through this. Send him a PM and ask him.

[therock1811]

Actually Linda, Tom referenced that in his post above:

I thought this would be worth a read:Fellow Storm2K member had wisdom teeth removed earlier this year

[Brent]

Well I'm back. My mouth is numb and I feel weak but I'm able to get up and move around. I just want to eat something.

[alicia-w]

Well... here's my story. When I was stationed in Germany I had mine removed. All four at the same time. They put me out. When I woke up, I didn't even realize they removed the teeth! My mouth was stuffed with gauze and my friend had already picked up my medicine. I walked home from the dentist (it was a small military base, so it wasn't but a few blocks to my dorm room). I slept for a little bit and then bought some soup and pudding. However, although I'm a skinny guy, I LOVE to eat. So much so that it was too much for me to live off of soup and pudding. After a day, although my mouth wouldn't open for a few centimeters, I could food normal foods, but I had to rip it apart into small enough pieces where I could swallow without chewing. MMMmmm! My first meal was several McDonalds' cheeseburgers! In the end, I did have a little problems with the clot forming, so I had a little prolonged bleeding. That was easily fixed at the dentist, though. Otherwise, it was painless. I didn't even use the medicine they gave me because of the lack of pain! It all depends how complicated the precedure will be (how straight your teeth are and if they're impacted) and how the dentist's skill is, which I'm sure is quite well. If a military dentist can remove all four on me without pain, I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck though and keep us posted!

I had a very similar experience while stationed in Washington State. Excellent surgery and no problems afterwards. Good luck! Everything will be just fine. Just do everything they tell you to.

[Brent]

Well... it officially sucks. I've got a headache and I'm weak. I'm drinking a milkshake right now and am attempting to eat little pieces of meat. I'm chewing at the very front. Novacane is trying to wear off.

[alicia-w]

SOUP!! Eat soup and smoothies. DONT suck through a straw!!

[Brent]

SOUP!! Eat soup and smoothies. DONT suck through a straw!!

Yeah... I know about the straw. I'm drinking the milkshake out of the cup.

[southerngale]

Good luck Brent. I hope you feel better soon!