Help!!! Getting all 4 Wisdom teeth removed!!! I'm freaked out :(

I need advice on everything...what to eat; how to cope with pain; suggestions on how to make sure I don't get sick....anything welcome.  There are numerous sites about this, but no real-person perspective...that's where you come in.

I know that so many people have to deal with this, but I'm absolutely terrified!!!  I don't want to have any bad reactions, and in the event I do, I've prepared by taking off the whole weekend. My procedure is Thursday, 3pm.

I'm the one who is always so strong, providing support and assistance for friends.  I didn't even go to the doctor when I broke my pinky finger! I just set it in a brace and forged onward into my everyday life.  I'm a single woman with no family near.  I have a couple of friends who are going to check in on me, but I feel alone in this.  The people on here seem kind, and thoughful, so please send a hello my way.

Thanks ~ Chelsie

(Edit~~~Post Operation)

*first of all, my Weds. night was horendous because my landlord fell down a flight of stairs and I spent the whole night at the hospital with her.  Needless to say, I didn't get any rest and was hard pressed to relax much before my procedure.

Thursday, June 12~~~~Ok, so it was as aweful as I thought it would be.  They used local anesthesia.  I went under the knife at @ 3:15 and there were complications.  Apparently my jaw bone is much more dense than the typical female (my daddy did always say I had a hard head!).  So, the doc pulled out the top teeth in about 15 minutes.  The bottom; a whole different story.  The bottom left turned out to be growing on the outside of my dental line, so the doctor said to leave it since it wouldn't effect me in the future.  He did alot of digging there though, so I still have alot of pain.  The bottom right was so deep into my jaw that it took him an hour and 20 minutes to get it out.  He kept having to inject the site with more "juice", and stopped when he was almost finished to inform me that he thinks he may have nicked my jawline nerve.  I asked how long it would heal.  He said it would heal with the rest of my mouth, but I may have permanent numbness on part of my face.  Fun, fun!!!  The procedure ended about 5:30 and I was home by 6 pm.

That night~~~~So, I have never felt pain so intense in my life.  Luckily my mom, best friend Krystle, and close friend Cheri all were there for me.  The girls brought @ 30 movies to choose from and Cheri was slaving away in the kitchen making me home-made chicken noodle soup.  They did a really good job at keeping me occupied and as long I had that, I was "ok".  I had a few moments when it was too much to bare.  I wasn't able to lay down because my throat was so swollen that I couldn't gulp, and I was afraid I might choke on my own saliva.  I finally was able to go to sleep in an upright position on the couch, around 2 am. 

Friday Morning~~~~I woke up and took my pain meds about 7:30 am.  Went to pee, and the floatation device in the back of the toilet exploded, sending water shooting everywhere.  I could baredly open my mouth, but had to try and scream for my mom to help me.  After several yells, she woke up and went to turn the water off.  (I live in a 1874 Victorian Style house, so the off valve is all the way down stairs).   That was a great way to start my day.

Saturday~~~~I have basically been watching movies and napping intermittenly over the past day and a half.  I'm feeling much better, although I have cheeks the size of Mt. Rushmore!!!  My friends have been taking good care of me and stopping in to check on me.  We're going to see "The Happening" tomorrow night.  I think I'll be up for it. 

BTW~~~~That numbness the doctor said might be permanent....it is.  The right half of my bottom lip as well as the chin area below is numb.  It's not completely numb; it feels like when your foot falls asleep and it's all tingly and ticklish to the touch.  YEAH!!!  How exciting.  Oh well, at least it doesn't look like I've had a stroke since it's only partially numb. 

Thanks to everyone for their advice and support!!!

Believe it or not, but I had a fantastic experience getting 3 wisdom teeth pulled. It was done back in March (of this year) and I had no complications at all. I was TERRIFIED going in, but once it was all over and done with, I told myself that I was over-reacting in the beginning. It wasnt as horrible as you may think, but that also depends on WHO you are going to have it done by. I went to an Oral Surgeon who put me to sleep thru out the procedure. I have no memories of it whatsoever. They gave me plenty of pain meds and antibiotics/mouth rinse for after. I didnt even bleed at all after they were out, and was able to eat soft stuff (bread, oatmeal, soups, etc.) EAT WHAT YOU FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE WITH, BUT AVOID HOT THINGS FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS. Dont worry, im sure you will be fine, and when you're healed, you'll be glad you had them out!!!

You know, my experience was that everyone told me such horrible stories about having all 4 of theirs done, or in some cases even 2.  I had all 4 mine done and it wasn't that bad.  The doctor told me to "eat soft foods like yogurt and soup".  I found that when I ate things like that I couldn't control where it was in my mouth and it inevitably ended up in the surgical sites.  I won't even begin to tell you how bad that sucked.  We'll just say that I've broken bone and had burns that hurt less than Campell's Chicken Noodle.  I went for things that I could control while I was chewing like PB&J so that I could keep it up toward the front of my mouth or for things that I could just swallow without having to chew at all.

I almost forgot - NO STRAWS.  I know that seems odd, but they told me that sucking could dislodge the blood clots and not, under any circumstances, to drink from a straw.

I had my wisdom teeth out, all four at once. I heard all these horror stories from people, and I was terrified, and you know what? It was FINE, I had no problems at all. I only took the prescription pain killers for one day and then I didn't even need them. I had a little bit of swelling but not much. Certainly not as much as everyone made it seem like before hand. I went to an oral surgeon also, and although it felt like I was asleep I think I actually had the medicine where you are awake and talking the entire time -- but you think you are sleeing when you come out of it. It's the "truth serum" stuff but I don't recall the actual name of the med. I didn't bleed after the surgery, I had no problems with dry sockets, I had no problems with infection. And this was like 13 years ago - I'm sure they are more advanced now.

Foods - whatever you feel like eating depending on how you feel. Have a lot of liquid type of foods on hand like pudding, jello, ice cream, yogurt. For the first couple of days. I remember eating chili but that was kind of tricky, trying not to get it into the "holes." (eww, I know...)

I don't know if this will make you feel better, but only a week after I had my wisdom teeth out I flew to London from New Jersey. A very long flight and I heard that I was nuts, and I had no problems at all.

And all the recurring infections I'd been having, they were never a problem again after I got my wisdom teeth out.

Thank you for the encouragement.  I've gotten myself in such a tizzy over the whole thing that I want to cry.  Silly, I know.  I'm getting the procedure done by my dentist.  I was too scared to go to anyone else, so he's hookin me up!  Hopefully I don't die on the table!  LOL!

It depends a lot on how your teeth have formed and the surgeon who is removing them. I was just about to turn 18 when I had mine out and my 17 at the time year old sister got hers out about 15minutes before I did. (We were done back to back - this was about 2 years ago) Both of us had all 4 teeth out.

For me, my bones were formed but had not broken the skin. I had NEVER been to the hospital for anything in my life. I, like you, was scared to death. My surgery was a breeze. I had asked them to give me happy gas before they put the IV in (I'm petrified of needles) and the last thing I remember was laughing before I passed out. When I woke up, I was giggly and had a mouthful of gauze - no pain. In the car on the way home, I passed out and slept. I slept for like 2 straight days after that, waking up to rise with saltwater occasionally. I remember it being sore - a big like getting braces tightened. I had a lot of soup and juice - Mostly broth. I didn't want to risk getting anything in the sockets. A week later, I was in Dallas, eating solid foods, and performing with my highschool marching band at the Cotton Bowl halftime show.

My sister, on the other hand, did not have bones that were as well formed. In the process of removing them, the doctor shattered one, and as she tried to recover, she got worse. When I left for Dallas, she went back in to discover that her socket was infected from a shard of bone that had been left behind. Once she went in, the doctors gave her a shot and cleaned things up. A week later when I got home, she was feeling peachy. (IDK if it would affect it, but she was not quite as religious with the saltwater as I was.)

There really is no standard. It just depends on you and your mouth. I was almost in tears before I went in to get it done... just know that in a week, you'll be feeling fine and back to some solid foods. I remember the biggest thing being NOT to drink soda and NOT to use straws. Sucking creates a vaccum in the mouth and can cause your stitches to tear open or the scabs to be pulled out of the socket, causing a (very painful) dry socket. Just use a spoon with soups and try to send things straight down. I remember eatling a lot of ice cream too - let it melt in your mouth and it makes the soreness feel sooo much better. Just be careful and rise and you'll be fine.  :) Try not to worry - I was petrified, and as long as they're knocking you out, it'll be like you just took a long blink.

Original Post by amy_blue:

I went to an oral surgeon also, and although it felt like I was asleep I think I actually had the medicine where you are awake and talking the entire time -- but you think you are sleeing when you come out of it. It's the "truth serum" stuff but I don't recall the actual name of the med.

 Ok, so my dentist is the epitome of Adonis.  Does this mean that unbeknownst to me, I'll be telling him how hot he is during the procedure???  OMG....I sure hope not.  I'm not easily embarrassed, but come on!!!

Oooohhh wisdom teeth removal, fun stuff.

I had mine removed about 10 years ago and I won't scare you with the gory details as everyone's experience is different. Some people breeze in and out no problem. Others have more difficulty, like me. There is really no way to control that so just go in with an open mind, being freaked out will only make it worse.

What you CAN control to some point is the aftermath. Be prapared to have someone take you home and go fill your presription for painkillers for you. I had to stop at the pharmacy on the way home as my sister was a bit of a doofus, and stand there waiting for the pharmacist while drooling on myself and crying about how awful I looked, I felt hideous. If you don't have someone to do that, see if you can arrange to get it ahead of time, seriously.

Also make sure you carefully follow all the rules for aftercare that you are given (e.g. no smoking or sucking on straws or drinking hot liquids, etc etc). I am not sure what I did wrong but I ended up with DRY SOCKET, which is as horrifying as it sounds. The initial symptoms are loss of equilibrium and dizzyness, headache, and nausea. If you have any of those go to the doctor immediately!

Pudding and jello helps. I agree about no chicken noodle soup, those noodles and bits are too wiley! Make sure you are stocked with everything you might need so you don't have to venture to the store, that sucks.

Good luck, you'll be fine!!

I had mine done over 15 years ago, so I think it's probably much easier these days, but it does depend on you and your body's reaction.

Stock your freezer with frozen peas and corn before hand.  These make easy ice packs in case you need them.  Ask the dentist for the prescription ahead of time so you can get it filled.  Stock up on any DVDs that you've wanted to see as this is the perfect time and you may want the distraction.  Also stock up on whatever easy foods you think you'll want.  No straws!  Clear soups, yogurt, pudding, popsicles, easy foods like PB&J that you can tear into little bits.

Definitely get someone to drive you home or arrange for a cab.  I'd suggest a friend driving you home as they'll take an extra hour or so and make sure that you're comfortable and have whatever you need close at hand, most cabbies won't do this since they're not being paid for the service.

Arrange for a friend to drop by just for a look see just to make sure that you're fine maybe morning and evening for the first day or so and then call to check in for the next couple of days.

Good luck, hopefully the extra arrangements won't be necessary, but if you need them you'll be very glad you did them.

Ok, so what are some different foods you all ate when recovering?  I want to continue eating healthy, but I'm concerned that it may be hard considering my choices in "liquid diet".  I don't want to binge when I'm back on solids due to feeling deprived. 

Original Post by sngbrdchls77:

Original Post by amy_blue:

I went to an oral surgeon also, and although it felt like I was asleep I think I actually had the medicine where you are awake and talking the entire time -- but you think you are sleeing when you come out of it. It's the "truth serum" stuff but I don't recall the actual name of the med.

 Ok, so my dentist is the epitome of Adonis.  Does this mean that unbeknownst to me, I'll be telling him how hot he is during the procedure???  OMG....I sure hope not.  I'm not easily embarrassed, but come on!!!

Lol... maybe!! But if your dentist is Adonis I'm sure he hears it all the time from his doped up patients;)

Totally off topic, my dentist is a hottie. And he's sweet, too. I had to go on a Saturday morning once, and there was no one else there -- just he and I. I started playing all these fantasies in my head sitting in the chair. And even though he couldn't hear my thoughts, I started blushing and sweating about it. Fun. Kinda embarrassing, but fun....

Also - does your dentist know how scared you are? I told my dentist up front that I was petrified (recently, when I had to have a crown - not with wisdom teeth/oral surgeon) and he and his staff were extra nice, and extra careful and it was very reassuring. It's really helped me for my "usual" phobia and discomfort at the dentist, too. I don't panic as much now when I have to go.

Original Post by amy_blue:

Also - does your dentist know how scared you are? I told my dentist up front that I was petrified (recently, when I had to have a crown - not with wisdom teeth/oral surgeon) and he and his staff were extra nice, and extra careful and it was very reassuring. It's really helped me for my "usual" phobia and discomfort at the dentist, too. I don't panic as much now when I have to go.

 The dentist does know how scared I am.  The last time I went in, I had to have a tooth pulled, (it was a baby tooth and the adult tooth was trying to grow in).  I cried I was so scared.  I kept apologizing because I felt so pathetic, but I couldn't help it.  I guess my coping mechanisms are primitive...but I'm not used to being so vulnerable.

I got my widsom teeth taken out about a year ago and it wasnt that bad at all. As far as being all sleepy and stuff from the anesthetic that didnt really effect me. You may or may not have to use painkillers that you are prescribed I only used 1 pill and didnt need it anymore. Tylenol usually works . Any way ther was some soreness at first but soft foods are good. Drink mostly liquids. A good thing to remember is that if your chin is numb after the procedure try as best as u can to pour water in your mouth....its kinda hard I was drooling everywhere the first day! The one thing that got annoying after the surgery is when all the pain and swelling is gone you have to use a plastic syringe like device to help flush out any food that will probably find their way into your new formed holes. Now I am not talking about food going into an open wound I realized that my gums were surrounding where my wisdom teeth used to be and formed some pockets. I accidently poked the inside of one of them and it was sore at most. I wouldnt really worry that much and if something goes wrong sue em! haha. BEst of luck and dont worry too much you will be fine

Hi!  Putting my $.02 in...

I had mine out about ten years ago (just the lowers) and I was awake for the whole thing!  The doctor had me on some sort of valium along with whatever pain killers.  It was the weirdest sensation - I could feel the vibration of the drill and feel them dislodge from my mouth, but no pain.  Mine were removed as part of a pain study through NIH for free and my surgeon was incredible, the whole procedure took about 5 minutes.  The pain study thing was that they took a swab of some cells in my mouth right after and about an hour later to see how the cells react to the pain.  Anyway, the worst part of the whole thing was 1) the anxiety that I put myself through before the procedure 2) my now FH (at the time boyfriend) was late coming to get me (I parked on campus as an employee and he took the Metro in to come drive me back to his apartment, where I spent the whole week) and I couldn't take any more pain medication until I got home and I did have some mild pain during that time (mostly because of the cotton swabs I had to keep in my mouth. 3) they made me eat yogurt after the procedure (I can't remember why) and the combination of my normal dislike of yogurt (I like the taste, but not the texture - pudding, yogurt, custard - yech!) and the pain of my gums "waking up" and having those cotton pads was distressing 4) when the stitches began to dissolve - that was really irritating as they kept slipping around in my gums and in the "socket" where my teeth once were.

Once I got to my FH's apartment and was able to take some pain meds I was pretty good for the rest of the week.  I worked part time as a temp and was able to take the whole week off, so I spent the whole week on the couch and slept a lot because the Tylanol3 knocked me on my butt.  I actually ended up using less than half of the bottle because they gave me an anti-inflammatory that worked for the pain quite well.  I really wasn't uncomfortable  at all during my recovery.

As to food I think I ate a lot of soup, applesauce, mashed potatoes and ice cream : )

My dentist is a big 6'6" amazon.  Her husband is hot though.  If she ever doped me up really good, I'm sure she'd hear that from me.  My orthapedic surgeon is pretty studly.  And I'm sure he heard about that when I had the surgery on my ankle.  And the anesthiologist.... *DROOL*  And it also doesn't help that I'm a) mouthy and b) have a faulty I/O filter between my brain and my mouth when I'm wide awake much less nuked to the edge of conciousness. 

Ok i had my wisdom teeth out back in march and it wasnt that bad. I visited my friend after she had hers done and she looked like death but she is also border line anemic. But it wasnt that bad honestly. My doctor was nice and gave me oxycodine but it makes you a little sleepy. I was taking regular Ibprophen when I had to go to work. For food I ate those ice pops that you can buy 100 in a box  and you have to freeze them. It was nothing for me because I had my tonsils out like 3 yrs ago and that was a rough time, not being able to eat anything for at least 2 weeks. (I lost 13 lbs tho ehe). If you like salmon I recomend it since u can smush it and it will slid easily w. no chewing. hope thats helpful and good luck. Use lots of ice for ur cheeks too!

I had all four impacted wisdom teeth out with just novacaine - I wasn't knocked out and it wasn't that bad at all.  They gave me heavy duty pain medication but all I took was extra strength tylenol.  Just follow their directions to a "t" so you don't get dry socket.  It won't be as bad as you think and its a good excuse to get to have a chocolate milkshake (no straws!)!!

Did any of you use wet tea bags to help you heal? The denist told me there was something in the tea that helped your gums heal. 

When I got all four of my wisdom teeth out, after the anesthesia wore off, I was fine.  I was (carefully) eating Doritos that day and I never had to use any of the pain killers they gave me.  Not bad considering each tooth was impacted.

Hi, I just got all four out on 05/28/2008 (all four were impacted and one required my jaw bone to be grafted). So I was in terrible shape! lol!! The pain wasn't really bad, in fact it felt good... it was like the pressure you felt when the teeth were coming in only backwards... lol, if that makes sense. It was a weird pain but not really bad. The problem I had was the trauma. I guess even though you are asleep you body is still going through trauma so when you get out of surgery you can have adverse effects within the next couple days. I felt depressed almost! lol! Didn't need the vicodin, did take all the pennicillin (sp?). I actually found extra strength Motrin/Tylenol to help more with swelling and with pain.

Buy a baby food processor, and put veggies, fruits, and all kindsa stuff in it... for some reason if your body is recovering you need all the stuff you can get. I did protein shakes with everything from bread & quinoa to veggies and fruits in them. In fact I liked the liquid diet so much I haven't left it much yet... lol. Now it's June 11th and for the most part I'm healed up.

Hope that helps!!!!

Ionly had one wisdom tooth which I got removed May 31.  It wasn't bad at all!  Everyone told me not to eat solids or drink with a straw...  well, oops.  I went shopping that night with my hubby and we got smoothies.  haha! 

just take some motrin or tylenol (make sure you eat with motrin!) and try to get some rest =)  I was awake for my procedure  so I don't know about any of the side effects of the anesthesia.