Wisdom toofs [xpost]

[ailbhe]

Today I had three wisdom teeth out. I'm home now, numb of jaw and bleeding gently, and I thought it might be useful for some people to know how it went.

The worst part was the anticipation, and the next worst part was the injections. Once the anaesthetic took effect, the first two teeth (upper and lower left wisdom teeth) were removed in slightly less than one minute. Then the upper right was taken too.

I cope very badly with hospitals so I was panicking a bit, breathing deeply and shaking all over, and making horrible squeaking noises. I explained to the dentist that I was not hurt, just frightened, and that I would raise my arm if I was hurt, so he could ignore any noises I made. That worked well.

First they discussed what they were going to do and the possible complications, based on looking at my X-Rays. I had a second appointment so that I could get the teeth removed in two sessions if necessary, so they took the two left out first, checked I felt ok, and then took the right one out. I could feel vicious jabs and continuous painful pressure from the injections, but the extractions were just pulling, some sinister noises, and then nothing. They put gauze in to apply pressure ot slow the bleeding, and I bit down on that for a while, which wasn't very nice because of saliva pooling in my mouth. While I was thus immobilised they gave me instructions - don't eat anything hard, don't drink anything very hot or very cold, take paracetamol and ibuprofen soon so that pain relief is continuous, if I start to gush blood call them or go to the John Radcliffe in Oxford (er, how?), take all the time I need to recover.

I was able to phone for a lift home ok and when I got home I was able to swallow pills, but I couldn't tell they were gone and Rob had to confirm I'd actually managed to swallow them. My ears are slightly numb, from the anaesthetic. My face feels but does not look swollen; I've applied an ice-pack a bit.

They let me take my three teeth home to show my children, who were ghoulishly thrilled.

Comments

[laura0141.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad it went OK.

[barakta]

Glad it went ok. This is useful cos I have to have a coronectomy which is where they take the tops off the wisdom teeth cos the roots of mine are too close to the facial nerve.. I'm told the aftercare is similar.

[hilarityallen.livejournal.com]

Glad it was mostly OK.

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

You are incredibly courageous.

In the event of gushing blood, I suspect 999 would be entirely justified.

[rmc28]

I agree (both about courage and 999).

I am also amused by your children's ghoulishness.

[totkat.livejournal.com]

Not that I have a story to tell or an axe to grind with a certain private dentist who removed 2 of my wisdom teeth but...

Did your dentist talk about or discuss the risks of "dry socket" with you or prescribe you mild anti-biotics alongside the pain-killers? Dry socket affects women more than men, due to our reproductive biology and it can be excruciatingly painful and debilitating for several days if you do end up developing it. It may well be that there are new methods/treatments since mine were done 6-7 years ago which reduce the risk to trivial levels, but I always worry when women I know mention they are having/have just had wisdom teeth out. Someone else recently had it done and was fine, no ill-effects but I had such a bad experience I feel bound to mention it to be sure.

[pauamma]

/me offered something pureed.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

When I had mine out, I chose to do it under general anaesthesisa.

That's not typical, and it's not usually neccessary. But I just plain didn't want to deal with it.

You're braver than I am.

The pain was annoying for a few days, but it healed up fairly quickly. One suggestion -- you may want to buy a toddler-sized toothbrush. I had trouble opening my mouth very far for a few days, and I DID want to brush my teeth. So a little toothbrush designed for small mouths was about right for me.

I got one with Spiderman on it.

[countertony.livejournal.com]

Amen. I requested (and got) a general anaesthetic when I had mine out 3 weeks ago, and found that the longest part of brushing my teeth a day afterwards was the opening of the mouth.

Oraldene antibacterial mouth rinse is full of win if you can't brush after 24 hours. Be aware that it contains alcohol though, so may sting.

[ailbhe]

A general was incompatible with my childcare responsibilities, sadly, or I'd have had one. I was offered one.

[nakedfaery.livejournal.com]

I had mine done under general anaesthesia too. Thanks to a childhood accident and then incredibly painful braces and elastics as a child, I have a morbid fear of dentists. Last time I went I took Nathan with me because there was no one available to watch him briefly, so I ended up having to be completely silent whilst having a root canal. Blargh!

I'd echo the suggestion for a small toothbrush. I used a cheap small headed (compact) adult toothbrush and it helped.

[ellipunk.livejournal.com]

Oh you poor thing. I had the exact same procedure done about 5 years ago. 3 wisdom teeth, all at once.
You might want to put a towel on your pillow as when I woke up next morning there was blood dribbled all over the place. I also remember Y wetting kitchen paper and gently washing the blood off my face with it.

Don't rinse out till tomorrow and then rinse out as often as needed - just warm water with salt is brilliant. I had a tooth out recently and found I got the best relief from warm rinsing.

Get loads of rest and take loads of painkillers.

Again, loads of sympathy. I saw your more recent post, you are in pain. I am sorry. :( It will pass. :(

[ailbhe]

I am amazingly aware that they took a bendy lump of hard enamel out of a bone in my HEAD using only brute force. Well-aimed, carefully directed brute force, but still, brutal.

[kateaw]

I had a dry socket a couple of years ago. Corsodyl mouthwash did an amazing job of stopping the pain. Antibiotics weren't necessary in my case.

Prop yourself up with extra pillows for a few nghts.

Mouths have a very good blood supply which means they heal quickly.

I remember posting slices of ham in my mouth as it wouldn't open wide enough for normal eating the day after I had my lower wisdom tooth out.

All good wishes for a very speedy recovery.

[supermouse.livejournal.com]

I second the corsodyl. I got a horrendous infection and the corsodyl stopped it dead in its tracks. It also tastes so very, very foul it made the painkillers seem nice and definitely gave me something other than pain to think about.

*hugs* Having wisdom teeth out is *awful*. You'll feel fine in two weeks, really and truly, and then they should never bother you again.

[velcro-kitten.livejournal.com]

Cringing, oh I don't do well with teeth and this just reminds me (and I *think*I left mine at my mum's house packed in vodka to preserve them!)

Toofs out

[(Anonymous)]

Noooooo! I've never had a tooth out with a local anaesthetic - had a few out as a child, but always with gas which made me feel sick for aaaages.
I think you were very brave. I think your children will remember it as a big thrill.

Toofs out - - oops

[(Anonymous)]

Sorry - that was me!

Daphne xx