Removing Wisdom Teeth?

OHHHH please don't make me tell you how horrible my experience was with this. I had all four removed and all four impacted. I looked like a chipmunk for 2 weeks - the good news I lost 15 pounds b/c the only thing I could eat was sorbet and very cold liquids. I could not eat solid food for about 2-3 weeks b/c I had trouble opening my jaw. YUCK.

NOW let me tell you - Many of my friends have had this done and more had good experiences than bad - they all said it was uncomfortable but my FH for example was able to go out to dinner that night at a restaurant and he was ok.

After all of those scary stories, I will try to make you feel better. All 4 of mine were impacted and one was infected. I was awake the whole time and it was NOTHING!!! It sounded a little gross, but it really was no big deal. Put ice on right away and do NOT take it off. I did not swell at all. I took some ibuprofin and I was fine.

Here's another hopeful story. I had all 4 remove 2 years ago under anesthesia. Two were impacted. I recovered fairly well-took my Vicodin's crushed in applesauce for pain (the Tylenol w/ Codeine syrup made me ill) and I had VERY minimal swelling. FH couldn't even believe how well I did since he swelled up like a chipmunk when he had his pulled.
I went back to work a few days later and was eating solid food-I just tried to stay away from getting food in the sockets.
Also-I stopped smoking for that time since they said it could cause a dry socket and get infected-didn't want to take the chance.

If they are NOT bothereing you..then why bother. I only had one removed...the others are there, but not bothering me...Knock on wood.

Hubby doesnt have any..I HATE HIM for that

The reason you can not drink from a straw is they don't want you s^cking. It can draw blood & pull your stitches. You also can't spit. You have to rinse your mouth softly then just open it & let all the water fall out.
I am not going to lie to you there is pain. Those bad boys are in tight. If you are going to be awake you will hear the cracking. The reason I tell you is not to freak you out, But so that you know what to expect. You will feel sick for a few hours. And you can only eat soft foods. I did go to work the next day.
Good Luck!!

I had 2 removed but they were impacted so I needed oral surgery (emergecy surgery because it got ot the point where I was in extreme pain). No problems here. I was on anti-biotic and pain killers but got them done on a Friday and was eating normally by Sunday!

I have two more that are impacted. Every time I go to the dentist for over 7 years now, the dentist says they must be immediately removed. They don't hurt so I leave them there but I finally got dental insurance - so I may get them done in May just to prevent going in for emergency surgery!!

I would question having to take all of them out if only one of them is in trouble. I had all of mine taken out but, they were all impacted. As far as how long it will take it took 1 1/2hrs. per side. (I didn't get it all done at once). You'll be on codein most likely for the pain. And there will most likely be swelling. I looked like a chipmunk for like 2wks! lol - I didn't want to go out in public and unfortunately at the time I was a hostess in a restaurant - so, I did have to be in public.
But, I would do what the other girls suggest and stock up on soups, baby food, pastina, mashed potatos, and thing you don't have to chew.... good luck sweetie

Julybaby, I had to have all 4 removed last year too. From hearing horror stories, I decided that one needs to go to an oral surgeon (vs. a regular dentist), b/c in case things go wrong the oral surgeon has more skills to help you.

So if you can, go to an oral surgeon. The guy who pulled my teeth said for 4 wizdom teeth anesthesia was recommended, and that's what I did. I had a swollen cheeck for about a week, but was able to eat soft things within a few days.

FH had his pulled this year and chose not to have the full anesthesia. His took a little longer to heal and he was on medication longer than me. But I don't think that anesthesia played a role here. He didn't want to be asleep and I did. My whole procedure took 40 minutes.