NationStates Jolt Archive


Wisdom Teeth

Jewmany
18-01-2005, 00:10
I just found out I need my four wisdom teeth out. I don't know when it'll happen, but how painful is it? I was fine with it until my dentist mentioned "IV." Does everyone have to get an IV for this? I thought that you could just get gas. I'm sure that most people have different types of pain that hurts the most, and the pain that hurts me the most is injections. Is IV really necessary?
Takuma
18-01-2005, 00:13
Let me just say the sound you'll be making for a week afterwards...

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!1"
Peechland
18-01-2005, 00:15
I just found out I need my four wisdom teeth out. I don't know when it'll happen, but how painful is it? I was fine with it until my dentist mentioned "IV." Does everyone have to get an IV for this? I thought that you could just get gas. I'm sure that most people have different types of pain that hurts the most, and the pain that hurts me the most is injections. Is IV really necessary?

Get the IV. It will only feel like a small pinch and then you will be in la la land. I have had 3 of my wisdom teeth cut out and a mouth full of stitches....trust me, you want to be out for that. Its not a huge IV needle like youd get in the hospital. Its a smaller gauge needle. You can ask the dentist about the gas but if its just the Nitros, its only going to relax you and you will have to get shots in your mouth to numb your gums too. I'd much rather have one small pinch in the arm and then sleep for 18 hours than be aware of getting 4 or 5 shots in the mouth.
Andaluciae
18-01-2005, 00:19
I had my wisdom teeth out a month ago, and I ought to say a few things.

Don't worry about the IV, once they give you the sedatives, you'll be out in seconds.

During the first 24 hours after the movie, get movies with mindless action. Stuff that will entertain you while your watching it, but you don't care about it later. For example. I watched the movies I, Robot and Collateral, and I couldn't tell you anything about them.

ICE. By God man, ice. Don't take it off for at least four days. Ice at night, ice during the day. Rig up a contraption with towels to keep the ice on your face at night. Only way too keep bruising and swelling away.

After you run out of the prescription painkillers, use tylenol gelcaps. They're the best option.
Roxleys
18-01-2005, 00:20
I don't know if I had an IV, I was given a pill to take about an hour before the surgery and then...I don't remember what kind of anaesthetic I was given in the hospital, actually, I passed out as soon as I laid down in the chair! :p

I'd like to say it's not that bad and it will depend greatly on how impacted they are and so forth but...dear merciful God it hurt afterwards, for me. Mine were way in there and very crooked so they had to actually saw through my jawbone to get them out. Tiny bone chips were working their way out through my gums for six months afterwards.

Oh and as Andalucae says, lots of ice or cold gelpacks! Gargling with warm saltwater, whilst intensely disgusting, is also very useful both as an antiseptic to help it heal and avoid infection, and as a mild anaesthetic. It helped my stitches heal very fast.

On the bright side everyone's really nice to you for a few days. Good luck!
Jewmany
18-01-2005, 00:27
Maybe I'll think about the IV, but for some reason, needles don't really hurt in my mouth. I've gotten six teeth pulled before and had to get several needles in the roof of my mouth and they didn't hurt much, but it was just a lot of pressure.

I think one reason I hate the IV so much is that I had bad experiences with it when I had my tonsils out, and I hate needles through my arm since I had several jammed into one for allergy testing once, and these IVs and needles were huge.

How much more pain is wisdom teeth getting pulled than getting regular teeth pulled or the pain after getting braces on?
Jewmany
18-01-2005, 00:31
If I had a pill that would be good. I remember that when I had my tonsils out, they gave me liquid. Ten minutes later they wheeled me out, which I remember, and then all of the sudden, I was laying in a hospital bed. I didn't even remember the gas, and they must have put in an IV while I was sleeping.

Unfortunately, the IV kept falling out overnight, so they had to keep adjusting my arm, which looked disgusting, and reinserting it. I remember screaming when they took it out. It really sucked.
Jewmany
18-01-2005, 03:15
bump
Andaluciae
18-01-2005, 03:19
How much more pain is wisdom teeth getting pulled than getting regular teeth pulled or the pain after getting braces on?
From what I've heard, a LOT more pain.
Andaluciae
18-01-2005, 03:21
And anyways, they might give you Valium to take an hour before the surgery, and that stuff can really numb your emotions.

I'm not a fan of being strapped down (as I was when I had my wisdom teeth pulled) but the Valium made me into a passive observer.
Jewmany
18-01-2005, 03:21
Well, I guess the bright side is that I'll be eating macaroni and cheese, soup, and ice cream, while watching James Bond movies for a while.
Andaluciae
18-01-2005, 03:23
Well, I guess the bright side is that I'll be eating macaroni and cheese, soup, and ice cream, while watching James Bond movies for a while.
lot's of ice cream
Chess Squares
18-01-2005, 03:25
the stuff they put you to sleep with burns like a bitch but your out before its really bothersome. i had gas and iv apparently.
Serendipity Prime
18-01-2005, 03:25
Just had mine out today.

Personally I chose the IV injection. They don't hook you up- just give you a shot. Otherwise you're awake for the whole thing.

I asked for all 4 to be done at the same time, he refused saying in my case the teeth were too close to the nerve (They had their roots already, they had started poking out about 6 years ago- I waited waaaay too long)

You go to sleep, the next thing you know you're waking up. Go with someone because you're gonna be dopey for a while. You also have some amniesia from the shot so having someone you trust with you in recovery is comforting when you do get your wits about you.

It hurts, but not as much as I thought it would. The vicodin doesn't kill *all* the pain, but it does make it managable. I stocked up on nutrament (liquid meal replacements), mashed potatoes, and Martinelli's apple juice mixes. I could chew if I wanted to on the other side of my mouth, but I'm not hungry after being put out and the pain pills/antibiotics.

I was terrified going in, that's why I was stupid and waited over 6 years to have it done. (I went in when the migraines kept me up all night in tears) Now that I had the first two out, I'll prob get the second two removed next Monday when I go in for my checkup.

It really wasn't that bad, and mine were a fairly complicated procedure because I did wait so long and I'm saying it wasn't bad.

All I know though is vicodin is your friend, much better than Codine!

Edited to say: I didn't have gas, just the shot to my knowladge- it didn't burn at all, within 5 to 7 seconds I was out. I first was fighting it, then forced myself to just let go and let it happen. I was out a milisecond after.
East Coast Federation
18-01-2005, 03:25
I've never had wisdom teeth pulled, but I did have to have surgury on my gums, I forget why.

But take the IV, I did and for about 2 days after the operation, I didnt really remeber anything, it hurts like a bitch though.
Eutrusca
18-01-2005, 03:25
I just found out I need my four wisdom teeth out. I don't know when it'll happen, but how painful is it? I was fine with it until my dentist mentioned "IV." Does everyone have to get an IV for this? I thought that you could just get gas. I'm sure that most people have different types of pain that hurts the most, and the pain that hurts me the most is injections. Is IV really necessary?
I had four out too, but that was way back before they used drugs via IV for this type of surgery. If you can swing it, get them to give you Demerol. What a trip! LOL!
North Island
18-01-2005, 03:27
I'd take what ever the dentist wants to give you for the pain, it hurt like hell when they took mine out. Suck it up and take the IV. PLEASE.
12345543211
18-01-2005, 03:28
I just found out I need my four wisdom teeth out. I don't know when it'll happen, but how painful is it? I was fine with it until my dentist mentioned "IV." Does everyone have to get an IV for this? I thought that you could just get gas. I'm sure that most people have different types of pain that hurts the most, and the pain that hurts me the most is injections. Is IV really necessary?

I havent lost mine yet, but probably will, both my parents did. I hear it hurts like hell. Damn it, now Im all freaked out about it. Hope Its not for a while.
Gradonia
18-01-2005, 03:33
I had my wisdom teeth taken out my sophomore year of highschool, about 4 years ago. I have a very low tolerence for pain and didnt have a problem at all. They give you laughing gas first to numb the pain of the IV. It feels like a mosquito bite.(the IV not the laughing gas) You are awake for about another half minute, blink and the whole thing is over. That blink is you being out for half an hour while they take out your teeth. You wake up with your mouth stuffed with gause and feel a little hung over. They give you vikadin and high mg. ibuprofein. The Vikadin made me fall asleep the first and only time I used it. You endure about 3 more days of minor aches. Then you get to play with the stitches with your tongue. My stiches came out by themselves in a class wich was fun to explain to the teacher why I gaged and went to the tras can with my hand in my mouth. Dont drink out of a straw for the first week or so. If you do the scab formed over the socket where you do will most likely be sucked out and you'll get a dry socket which is basically a whole directly to the nerve which I heard really hurts. Dont worry its not a horrible experience. Good luck you'll need it. (just joking)
Jewmany
18-01-2005, 03:34
I think mine must've came in relatively early, as most people at my school get theirs out at the end of their senior year, and I'm a sophomore, so hopefully the nerves aren't formed as much. I didn't even know the teeth came in. I guess I'll get the IV, unless there's anything oral. I know that when I had my tonsils out they gave me something oral and put the IV in when I was under, but I'll see what the dentist or oral surgeon says.
Purplestan
18-01-2005, 03:39
Maybe I'll think about the IV, but for some reason, needles don't really hurt in my mouth. I've gotten six teeth pulled before and had to get several needles in the roof of my mouth and they didn't hurt much, but it was just a lot of pressure.

I think one reason I hate the IV so much is that I had bad experiences with it when I had my tonsils out, and I hate needles through my arm since I had several jammed into one for allergy testing once, and these IVs and needles were huge.

How much more pain is wisdom teeth getting pulled than getting regular teeth pulled or the pain after getting braces on?


Yeah, you should get the IV. And I've had a similar experience with my tonsils, the nurse missed the vein like 6 times and it sucked.

The pain you have after getting your wisdom teeth out is a different kind of pain then braces. My braces didn't hurt that bad, but they were just on my teeth. When I got my 4 wisdom teeth removed my gums hurt real bad and bled a lot. I hated changing gauze the most of all though because it sometimes got stuck in my braces and it was still bleeding all over. This went on for 3 days. Not to mention I took a header in soccer my first day back and it knocked the stitches out.
Jewmany
18-01-2005, 03:40
I think it's strange though that for me, a shot to the arm hurts more than one in the roof of your mouth. Most people I know would rather have one in the arm. Plus, I know it doesn't really hurt THAT much, but it's probably just the fear of it from past experiences. One time I put my shoe on and a large spinter went straight into my foot, probably deeper than a shot, and I just felt it and cursed off a lot. It's usually easier to take pain if I don't know it's coming. Maybe cursing off helps to alliviate pain. If that's the case, then I'll be cursing for a while.
New Kanteletar
18-01-2005, 03:47
When I had my wisdom teeth pulled , the needles from the anesthetic hurt more than the actual pulling. But all told I had about a dozen needles. The upper left side (if I remember correctly) was numb for 6 hours. After that the worst part was not sticking my tongue in the craters at the back of my mouth while they healed over. I was fairly lucky though, mine weren't impacted (when the tooth grows out forward from the back of the jaw). My friend had to be sedated when before they pulled his. Had to chip one out of his jaw. :eek:
Faded
18-01-2005, 04:07
My wisdom teeth story:

My bottom two wisdom teeth were going in crooked so they had to go. The top two also had to go because if they didn't, they would hurt my gums (no bottom teeth to contact.) Scheduled for my spring break. So I get there and they put some sticks in my mouth with this sticky pink substance. They said it was to numb my gums and mouth for the injections. After I was sufficently numb, they inject me with the local. Shots on both sides top and bottom, four shots total. Then they get working. This includes power drills, scapels, breaking of the teeth, and removal of bloody pieces of teeth. Somewhere along here, the drugs started wearing off. They had to give me more. They finished soon after. The shots are definately the worst, go with IV if possible.

Did I mention I hate those shots?
Monkeypimp
18-01-2005, 04:10
I'm wondering what will happen with my wisdom teeth now. I got X-rays 2 years ago (it was my last free check-up before I turned 18) and the dentist said they looked like they were inline. Last years checkup the dentist said they looked ok. All 4 are coming through now, which is apparently a good sign because of my age, it means that they're not being blocked in any way. I'm due for another checkup in about 2 months, so Ill find out then. Usually the only problem the dentist has is that i don't floss enough.
Katganistan
18-01-2005, 05:00
It wasn't so bad.

I was out within seconds of the IV. I woke up while he was stitching -- since they'd Novacained me while I was out, no pain -- just feeling the stitches pull.

Took a while for the anaesthesia to wear off... hurt like a mother at first, but I only ended up taking one painkiller pill the whole time.

Worst part -- taste of blood in everything, and the bone chips working their way out.

Other than that -- couple days later, and everything was good.
Daistallia 2104
18-01-2005, 05:53
I had all 4 out in one go about 15 years ago. The lower two coming in full sideways, and were aparantly quite difficult for the dental surgeon. I had an injected sedative, but no IV. I was out for a couple of hours. The pain wasn't so bad, but the codeine perscription had a lot to do with that. Opiates = Happy, Happy, my whole face hurts but I don't care!! :cool: :D

Expect to becom well acquainted with your good pals apple sauce and gelatine for about a week.
Asylum Nova
18-01-2005, 08:20
I wish I could warn you what it's like, but as mine never grew in (apparently my jaw was just too small) I'll leave it to the other souls who have been in that situation. XP

Judging from the responses, I'd say I'm lucky.

-Asylum Nova
Ooger
18-01-2005, 08:59
i had mine taken out 3 weeks ago. i just sat in the chair, injected three shots per tooth area (i had 3 taken out so that's 9 shots) without having it getting numb first with that gel thing. they made me sit for about 10mins until it kicks in, then they got to work. no iv, no getting put to sleep...it wasn't that big of a deal. for me the more you make a big deal out of something the more you'll feel the pain. the whole procedure took no longer than 15 minutes for three wisdom teeth.

i was on tylenol 3 for awhile. i was able to eat take-out chinese food within 5 hours. just keep downing ice-cream or popsicles for two hours after the procedure to help the blood clot, but not right after just keep changing the gauze every half hour and stare at the tv like a zombie. do NOT drink anything through a straw, it might dislodge whatever blood has already clotted.

remember to take your anti-biotics, request for a pill to keep your face from swelling (dexamethasone), and always have a gentle rinse using warm salty water as disinfectant for the next week until the holes in your mouth looks like it's almost healed.

at least that's what worked for me...
New Fuglies
18-01-2005, 10:19
I just found out I need my four wisdom teeth out. I don't know when it'll happen, but how painful is it? I was fine with it until my dentist mentioned "IV." Does everyone have to get an IV for this? I thought that you could just get gas. I'm sure that most people have different types of pain that hurts the most, and the pain that hurts me the most is injections. Is IV really necessary?


meh... I had mine pulled when I was 19 and it was nothing. One of the teeth had to come out immediately since it was totally impacted and abscessing and it felt GOOD when it came out. :) The other three popped out like nothing. Didn't use anything other than novocaine and certainly no IV drip.
Branin
18-01-2005, 10:34
Wisdom Teeth

Suck.
Jewmany
18-01-2005, 23:09
Hope fully I'll just need lidocaine like when I got normal teeth pulled. It didn't really hurt that much to have shots in my mouth, though someone told me that some people have to get their gums cut open, or is that everyone? I know that I'll have an oral surgeon do it, so I wonder if that's any different than a dentist.
Alinania
18-01-2005, 23:22
I got mine out a couple of years ago (all 4). i'd expected it to be a lot worse than it turned out to be. you hear all these horrible stories, but with me, it all went well. the one thing i would strongly encourage you to do is to put ice on afterwards, my friend made me even though back then i thought it was stupid. only later (when my face didn't turn all colours of the rainbow or swell up or anything) i was glad i did ;)