Just how bad is getting wisdom teeth pulled?

The last time I got my teeth cleaned, my dentist told me I needed to schedule an appointment soon to remove all four of my wisdom teeth. They are impacted (or some are, not sure) so I'll need the full oral surgery procedure... but... why take them out if they don't hurt at all? I've had no problems with them except when they cut through my gum line, which is mildly uncomfortable.





Anyway, I'll go get it done. I was wondering, also, just how bad it is? How long does it take? How long is the recovery (and what does it entail)? And how many days off of work should I request?

Just how bad is getting wisdom teeth pulled?
I did the same I left mine and later in life in my forties they started to hurt and go trough the gums and it was very painful and bleeding a lot with a bad taste and a horrific breath as well . My suggestion would be get them out and its only sore for a few days . Have great day and keep smiling .
Reply:As they come in, they will gradually push your remaining teeth together.





The actual surgery is not a big deal - as the dentist will put you to sleep, or use nitrox-oxide - laughing gas - you won't feel a thing.





The post surgery pain is controlled by pain medication. Really only lasts maybe one day or two. Plan on taking off the day of surgery and the day after - although you might feel well enough to go in the next day.
Reply:Your dentist probably recommended that you get them removed because of the impact they will have on your spacing as you get older.


I had mine removed several years ago. They were completely impacted. The procedure took all morning and I was nauseated from the anesthesia. But I recovered well and only had to take 2 days off work.


The worst part is the first day after the removal. Your face is numb, you feel like crap, you need to eat but you can't chew and can't use a straw because of the risk of dry-socket. So it's kind of a bummer. But get some good DVD's and ice cream and pudding and you should be fine.


I hope this helps!
Reply:It is a piece of cake! With sedation, its no problems. I had all 4 taken out. I remember going in, being a little worried (hate hospitals and stuff). Sat down, had a injection, then i remember being back in the car being driven home. I was knocked out. My friend said the same. It's easy and fairly quick. My dr. told me if all are good it takes about 5 minutes per tooth. If he has to do some cutting to get it out, then maybe like 15 min per tooth. It is honestly like an hour appointment. And the heal time is a few days.





I'd take a few days off, including the day of the surgery.





It's honestly not bad. You'll be fine!





Good luck
Reply:I have the same problem and i have already asked the same question on Yahoo Answer . i think it depends on how impacted they are i heard it's painful. please go and if it wasn't painful let me know then i would go after you.
Reply:Going through the procedure is easy because they put you to sleep. After-wards you cannot eat solid foods. You can eat mashed potatoes, applesauce, yogurt, lots of liquids. The pain and swelling comes the next day. The doctor should give you some really good pain killers to help you sleep. I used a neck ice pack and put it on my face to help keep the swelling down. You should schedule it on a Friday morning so you will have the weekend to recover. It took me 3 days for my face to look normal again. I had 3 pulled. You will have to use a syringe with they will give you to help flush out food particles to prevent dry socket. Then for about a week you will notice small stitches falling out unless they dissolve.
Reply:I had my wisdom teeth taken out at the age of sixteen. It really wasn't as bad as people made it out to be. I had to have my wisdom teeth surgicaly removed, and the worst part of it all was the IV. The surgery itself didn't take long, 45 minutes to an hour at the most; concedering there are no major problems. The recovery wasn't bad either. I slept the rest of the afternoon and evening because the IV drugs made me sleepy. My mouth was a little sore and ached a bit for the next 3-4 days, but nothing really painful. I had vicodin for pain and I had much of the prescription left because the pain wasn't bad enough for me to need them. You'll be fine! :)
Reply:I had all 4 of mine done at once too. They were impacted also and the reason I had to get them out was because impacted pretty much means they are laying on their side and my orthodontist told me I had to get them out of they would cause my teeth to shift and I had just gotten my braces off so I didn't want that.





They put me to sleep for it and in a flash they were waking me up telling me I was all done. Hopefully they will be putting you to sleep too. You will need a ride home, you will be very drowsy afterwards. GET YOUR PAIN PERSCRIPTION FILLED ASAP! Trust me about 30 mins after leaving the drs office the drowsiness will wear off and suddenly the pain will hit. That was the worst for me because I had to wait an hour like that for my pain pills. You will sleep a lot the first 2 days from the pain pills, but you will want to anyway. You will be spitting some blood out the first day too. Oh and they should also give antibiotics - don't slack on taking them. I did and one of mine got infected and it was disgusting. :)





Don't forget to gargle with salt water because you won't be able to brush your teeth and forget about trying to eat anything you have to chew it will be impossible. Over all it's not too bad just the first 2 days. You should take 3 days off at least because you will be swollen and sore and you'll look like a chipmunk lol. Good luck





P.S. - Impacted wisdom teeth are more painful to have taken out due to their position which is why some people will tell you it's not bad and others will say it was horrible. Plus some people are more sensetive than others.
Reply:Its definitely not fun. Everybody responds differently.





I've had some patients who are out playing basketball that night (not adviseable), while others seem to be down for a week.





I would plan on at least the 2 days after surgery being "couch and TV days".





The actual procedure should be a breeze - most people see oral surgeons for their surgery and they are asleep during the whole process.





The hard part is the recovery. The first day isn't that bad - patients often are so groggy and "drugged up" that they won't feel or remember much of anything from that day.





The 2nd and 3rd day can be pretty miserable though. Your surgeon will give you a prescription for lots of pain meds - don't be afraid to use them as directed.





The best thing to do is to pay close attention to all the instructions your surgen and his staff give you and follow them closely. This is the best way to have a smooth recovery.





Now as to WHY is removing them important?





To me, the possibility of the teeth shifting later in life is only a small issue.





The biggest problem is that teeth that are impacted under the gums and bones can sometime develop cysts and tumors around them. I have one patient in particular that has a very large cyst (basically a big hole filled with pus) that has developed around the tooth INSIDE the jaw bone.





He will have to have a major surgery to resolve it, months of recovery, and right now could very easily break his whole jawbone in half if his 2 year old whacks him just the right way.





If he would have had the darn thing removed when he was a teenager... this never would have happened!





Good luck, and if you have any other questions free feel to email me!





Mark
Reply:wisdom teeth are vestigeals in human body..... i.e of no more use.


letting them be ther will be a source of problems later on.


impacted wisdom teeth can cause severe pain in jaws as they will impinge on the forward teeth. also, they can result in cyst formation in jaw bones.


partially erupted teeth cause infection of the overlying flap of gums..called as pericoronitis (which is again painful)





getting impaction surgery done is no big deal..... but my suggestion to you is to get only one side operated at a time.


i.e either left or right... by this atleast you have the other side to chew.


there can be post operative swelling and pain. so, take proper medications ur dentist will advice.


ALL THE BEST
Reply:the actual surgery is nothing if you go to an oral surgeon you'll be able to sleep through the entire thing...and they numb you up so well you wont feel a thing for a while after the surgery. take the pain meds....have a stack of your favorite movies on hand, some pudding and apple sauce and you'll be good to go. ice packs help a lot too



C#