SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

I had mine out when I was 25. All was well until two days later when my toddler accidentally broke a dish and I bent over to sweep the glass up. I was in excruciating pain for several days. I don't know if it was dry socket or not but my lower molars were severely impacted. I couldn't take anything stronger than acetaminophen for pain because I was breastfeeding. I was fine a few days later. I did have to clean (with a mouth syringe) the extraction areas after eating for a long time (it took weeks and weeks for those lower molar ones to finally close up) but the pain went away that first week.

I think you should be fine if you have your surgery in August.

I would get them out ASAP so you are fit and ready for Paris!

Don't worry about the sedation. It's fantastic. lol Versed is magical stuff. I'm in a similar field as you are and see similar stuff so I understand your fear. You'll be fine.

The holes took about a month to close fully so I did have to rinse them after eating, which is a tiny pain.

Crescita-- Were you able to eat normally even though you still had holes in your gums? Like, would I be able to eat a steak as long as I rinse the holes? Or did you have to stay on soft food until it closed?

If you have a real phobia with this, I know my dentist offered me something for the night before for anxiety. I didn't end up taking it. The only time I got really anxious was when they administered the freezing and my throat started to go numb. It was just a weird feeling. I would suggest telling the dentist you are scared and ask exactly what to expect. Most of them are really good with this stuff because so many people hate dental procedures.

Yeah, I have a real phobia with it. I actually have a phobia with needles. Had a CT scan once with IV contrast, and they weren't able to complete it because I had a panic attack even with the maximum dosage of xanax. I actually started crying in the consultation this week with the surgeon when he was talking about the procedure. So he prescribed me Valium to take the night before and the morning of.

Are your teeth impacted?

One is completely in and fine, one is fully in gums and impacted, and the two lower ones are partially in. He recommended getting the two lower ones removed and the one that is completely in. He said that I could leave the impacted one alone. It seems like it should be the opposite to me, so I'm not sure what to do. I kind of want to get all four removed so that I never have to deal with this again, and I kind of just want to get the two lower ones removed since those are the ones causing problems currently. He said the impacted one should never cause problems, and the one that is fully in will eventually get a cavity "someday."

Oh wow osxgirl, your experience is funny. A new guy that I just started seeing has offered to go with me. I think it's very sweet, but I'm not sure I want him to see me like that or hear anything stupid that I could possibly say.

I kind of want to get all four removed so that I never have to deal with this again

Do that! Especially since you have to go under for it. It would be terrible to have to go through the expense and hassle of that twice.

Were you able to eat normally even though you still had holes in your gums? Like, would I be able to eat a steak as long as I rinse the holes? Or did you have to stay on soft food until it closed?

You can eat whatever you want after 1-2 weeks. The gums heal pretty quickly, it just takes awhile for them to fill in fully. Nuts and seeds will pretty much head straight to the hole and will be uncomfortable until you rinse them out, but otherwise it's game on with little memory that the teeth were ever there.

I had the IV sedation, too. It was glorious! Only bad part was my designated ride home had an emergency that morning so I wound up having to take a cab home. I had enough time to prepare by printing out a map and driving directions because between the sedation fog and my mouth full of cotton, lord knows how'd I'd be able to tell the driver where to go!

The cab driver was so sweet. He was an older man in his 70's and he helped walk me up to my front door. Took me by the elbow and was a perfect gentleman. Or at least, that's how I remember it.

I would have it done before you go away.

I had 2 wisdom teeth removed in my early 20's. They gave me sedation. I was groggy and sore the first day, but slowly felt a lot better have 2-3 days.

My only word of caution is to have someone with you and use a drive thru pharmacy if possible. We went straight to Pathmark to get the rx filled after the surgery. I was out of it, so my mom left me in the car. I decided to go find her inside. I ended up telling everyone in the parking lot & pharmacy that I loved them.

I had mine out in my late 20's, 3 of them were impacted and surgeon decided to leave one as I had already had another tooth removed so there room for it to come through on its own.

Had to see a specialist and have them out under a general in hospital.

Took about 5 days to feel human again, I looked like I had gone a few rounds in the ring I was so bruised and swollen.

From memory after about 10 days I was back eating normally again.

Be prepared keep plenty of ice packs or frozen peas something in the freezer to help with the swelling.

It is very painful. I had several infections prior to surgery for leaving it so long. But glad I did it. I did recently had a tooth abscess. Worse pain ever.

If you can get it done before you go I would.

I had one of mine out last year. I was better within a few days and I was 26. They don't give general anesthetic over here for wisdom tooth removal unless absolutely necessary so I was awake, that was more traumatic than the recovery. I'd take child birth over that shiz any day of the week! So if you have a choice, let them knock you out for it.

My husband had one out last month, it was impacted and he put off getting it removed. Woke up with and infection and the removal was brutal, they had to cut away the infected gum. They were pushing and pulling on his jaw so much that even his ear was bruised!

So yeah, get it donw before you go away and before any infections set it.

Lucky, how long did it take your girls to recover from the dry socket?

IIRC it was about a week or so.

A month should be plenty of time to recover. I had mine done in my early 20's and the only issues I had were a dry socket and that my mouth is incredibly small I know someone who had it done in her early 30's and the first few days were tough, but after that she was okay

I listened to all your advice, and scheduled the wisdom teeth to be removed before my Paris trip. It's scheduled for a week from today.

I'm seriously starting to freak out, and considering canceling the appointment. I was reading online today about what to do after the surgery to prevent dry socket, and came across a lot of posts from people who ended up with nerve damage after the surgery. All these people are talking about being numb and in pain for several months/years after it's done. It's making me want to go on my Paris trip before getting this done, just in case anything goes wrong.

I'm also paranoid about the surgeon who's doing it. He was highly recommended to me by everyone in town, but I didn't get the best feeling at the consultation. He didn't look at the xrays with me, and seemed sort of abrupt.

I'm really nervous, and just have a horrible feeling about the whole thing

My son had his upper wisdom teeth removed on 07/28 and on 7/30 he was at a waterpark with his friends. He had no issues at all. Except for one pain pill on the first day, all he took was a couple of ibuprofen afterward. He followed the guidelines as far as what he could eat, drink, no spitting, no straws, etc...8/5 he went for his follow up and the doctor gave him the all clear. Same thing happened when he had the two lowers ones removed. No dry socket issues in either case.

I had all 4 of mine removed when I was 19. Two had to be cut out and the other two pulled. I also had no issues.

If you aren't comfortable with the doctor, then I would find another to do it. Or, schedule another consultation and see if they can give you the reassurance you need.

LG let me see if I can ally some concerns.

Those people who were aware and in pain and couldn't speak had different meds than you will have. It's more a paralytic type med that causes that. You my dear will be nighty night. This stuff is called milk of amnesia for a reason. They use it for everything from this to colonoscopies. It allows your brain to be asleep but you still breath on your own and has very little side effect. Has anti nausea components and little to no hang over that in addition to a little nitrous and you get all the fun that you see in the u tube videos.

Dry socket is more common in smokers than anyone. Be vigilant with your salt water s wishes and you will be fine. You will be sore for a couple of days and only able to eat soft stuff for about 5 days. After that pretty normal.

Sounds like your surgeon is a typical surgeon. They don't make you feel warm and fuzzy they are very technically minded and don't have time or social skills for that. Think about all the education they go through. It helps to understand how they are.

If you choose to wait then I would ask for a prescription of antibiotics to take along get it filled they won't fill your ex in Paris have it just in case.

I had all 4 of mine out when I was 29. I had it done at the dentist's office, no anesthesia, just novicane (I had to drive myself there and home and I have a phobia about anesthesia). The worst part was being able to hear her pulling them, it was an awful grinding/splintering sound. It took me less than a week to recover.

That being said, I have a very high pain tolerance and I heal pretty quickly. But I think you should have it done before you go. You really don't want to wake up one morning in Paris with extreme tooth pain. That would certainly ruin your trip!

edit: Missed the post where you said you already scheduled it. Try not to work yourself up too much, odds are you'll be fine! I agree with what TN said about surgeons...they aren't the warmest people.

[This message edited by dameia at 7:19 PM, August 14th (Thursday)]

Yeah, the surgeon has really good reviews in my town. It was just weird in my opinion that he didn't look at my x-rays or examine my mouth. He kept talking about how routine the whole thing is. Which, it may be routine for him. But it's not routine for me.

When I think about it, I start crying. I'm just really nervous. I don't have a good pain tolerance, and I'm terrified of needles.

lonelygirl,

First off, I am so jealous of your upcoming trip to Paris! You are going to have an amazing time! I know the surgery is freaking you out but please don't let that ruin the joy of anticipation for wonderful trip like this!

I had my lower two wisdom teeth out when I was in my early 30s. They were horrifically impacted, with long roots wrapped around my jawbone or some such thing. So my recovery was longer and more painful than normal. I didn't have any dry socket issues, but the pain deep down in my jaw area took a long time to fully go away. That is NOT your situation, however, so don't let that scare you. Just know that my surgeon had never seen teeth as difficult as mine, and I survived. So you definitely will too! I have no problems with nerve damage, numbness, nothing like that.

I know it's scary reading about possible after affects, but keep in mind that for every person who has a bad experience and goes online to complain to the world about it, there are a thousand others who have a positive experience and just go on about their lives.

I (obviously) had intravenous anesthesia like you are going to have. I was scared right beforehand so they gave me nitrous and after that I didn't care as much. I was loopy and relaxed. The needle went in and I went out. The next thing I remember was sitting in the doctors office afterwards, with my mouth full of cotton, and trying to figure out why the guy beside me looked familiar. It was my boyfriend.

Some of the best docs have a lousy bedside manner. Don't let it bother you. I don't even remember my oral surgeon. What I DO remember is the two lovely nurses who were there, making sure I was comfortable, reassuring me, etc. They were great.

One funny TMI side note.... one of the nurses strapped something to my ankle. It was some kind of monitor, I think. And I was horrified because I hadn't shaved my legs and they were really stubbly. (It was winter). So silly but I was emotional anyway so when she did that I started crying. I think that's when they put the nitrous on me.

Don't worry, LG. Stock your fridge with ice cream, yogurt, applesauce, and cottage cheese. NO smoothies (sucking anything through a straw can cause dry socket). Shave your legs, trust the nurses, and dream of Paris. You're gonna be just fine.

Here is a thought or info you may not be aware of since you have the needle phobia.

When they put the IV in, they take the needle out. The only thing that is left is a very soft flexible catheter that allows them to give you the medicine.

If it's a routine thing for them the person sticking in you will be well versed, and should be quick and easy.

That is NOT your situation, however, so don't let that scare you. Just know that my surgeon had never seen teeth as difficult as mine, and I survived. So you definitely will too!

Thanks for sharing. I think that's one of my fears with my surgeon though. I don't know if my teeth are easy or complicated. He didn't look at my x-ray with me in the room, and did not examine my mouth. There was no discussion about my teeth or my particular surgery. The whole discussion was about the risks in general, nothing specific to me. I asked him if he had ever done a removal with teeth that looked like mine, and he looked like I offended him. He responded that he does 5 wisdom teeth every day usually, and then shook my hand and left the room. All I wanted was a discussion about my particular teeth with my roots and stuff though. But... he is highly recommended. And my dentist had originally told me that he could remove them himself without sedation. So if the dentist could remove them without sedation, I'm guessing they can't be too complicated.... I hope. I requested the surgeon just so I could have sedation. Is that normal for a consultation though?

Here is a thought or info you may not be aware of since you have the needle phobia.

When they put the IV in, they take the needle out. The only thing that is left is a very soft flexible catheter that allows them to give you the medicine.

I think it's more the anticipation than the actual thing. Needles don't actually hurt, and once it's in my arm I'm usually fine. But I typically have a panic attack during the minute beforehand. When I have routine blood work, I have to lay down for it. My chest hurts, and I hyperventilate. I've taken Xanax before once, and it did not calm me down at all. The surgeon prescribed Valium this time for me, so maybe that'll work better.

I really, really hope that I'm not aware of what's going on during the surgery. I'm scared that I'm going to see them coming at my mouth with a scalpel, and I know I will panic.

As someone with anxiety issues and a slight dental phobia I can relate. Please take the valium as directed. For example it may not be enough to take it the morning. If they tell you to take it the night before as well so that you rest, do it. Once my anxiety response has started, I am in fight or flight mode and the meds aren't as effective as they are if I take them to ward it off. A pill when I am already shaking, sweating, am getting numb in my hands and feet and have an accelerated heart rate will not be nearly as helpful as the one I take the night before to make sure I never get to that point, if that makes sense. I am very very afraid to fly and discovered being well ahead of the anxiety was way better than taking a pill while in line to board.

As for the surgeon, if his reviews are good, I would ignore the bedside manner. It's kind of a generalization, but it does seem to be the way with some surgeons. When my son had Emergency surgery the surgeon grunted 5 words at me. But I didn't need a hug, I needed a competent individual who came to the Emerg in the middle of the night and had him assessed, prepped and in surgery to get his ruptured appendix out skillfully in under an hour. Truly, if he's good at what he does, that matters way more to me than his mannerisms when it comes to surgery.

Also.. STOP reading peoples horror stories online! Ack. You are making it worse. I know because I did the same. It will be ok!!!

[This message edited by SI Staff at 11:04 AM, August 15th (Friday)]

I really, really hope that I'm not aware of what's going on during the surgery. I'm scared that I'm going to see them coming at my mouth with a scalpel, and I know I will panic.

If you're under general anesthetic the last thing you remember will be somebody asking you to count backwards from ten or twenty and the next thing you'll be coming around in the recovery room.

From what you've written about the dentist saying he could take them out himself it really doesn't sound like this is anything you need to worry about. When mine kicked off about ten years ago, the dentist said he could extract the top two but I'd need a surgeon for the bottom pair as they were impacted. I was referred to a surgeon and had all four out at the same time under general anesthetic.

I had a friend drive me home afterwards as that was the requirement. That was a Friday. I was a bit out of it for the next couple of days but by the following Wednesday I was fine. I was demolishing a steak without any problems the Saturday night after that.

You'll be fine. I'm not trivializing your anxiety but this really isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Go and get the thing over and done with and you'll be all set for Paris.