Wisdom teeth, getting rid of them, and quenching the fears of the procedure

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I guess i'm luckier than most because i just have one pair of wisdom teeth on the bottom, and they're not impacting any of my other teeth i.e. they've erupted above the gum line already. But while i was eating dinner today, a piece of one of the wisdom teeth fell off. it didn't hurt (i didn't swallow it either). but it was just another reminder that ONE MISERABLE DAY, i will have to take care of getting rid of these fuckers.

actually, the part of the procedure i really fear is being put under. and i know that you don't have to be put under to get rid of wisdom teeth, but most people suggest getting the anesthesia anyway, since the process can be long and grueling enough.

thoughts? kitten pics? where's the good vitch? auntie em?

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 18 October 2003 03:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Mine came in so impacted they were breaking the roots of adjacent teeth, and I still didn't get general anesthesia: just Vicodin and a local. It was disturbing when the surgeon braced his foot not far from my shoulder for leverage so he could yank really really hard, but all I felt was the pressure of it, no pain at all. Slept through most of a day and a half on heavy doses of Vicodin, and then my mouth was vaguely sore for another couple days -- but all in all, no big deal and no outright pain.

Point being, if you're worried about the anesthesia, you don't have to get it; I didn't like the idea of it either, although I've since had to have it for surgery and would probably be more amenable to the idea. (Waking up from anesthesia still ranks among the most memorable and disturbing experiences of my life, though.)

― Tep (ktepi), Saturday, 18 October 2003 03:30 (twenty-one years ago)

vic-o-din.

― mohammed abba (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 18 October 2003 03:31 (twenty-one years ago)

being put under is strange, and yes, waking up from it isn't terribly pleasant. still, it's no big deal. you get a needle in your arm that you can't feel, the doctor makes small talk with you, and bam - all of a sudden a nurse is shaking you and it's over. you'll have a sore mouth, but they'll give you codeine or vicodin or whatever, and you have an excuse to live on milkshakes for a few days. if it makes you feel any better, i'm a huge wimpo and getting all of my wisdom teeth out at once bothered me less than an average visit to the dentist.

― lauren (laurenp), Saturday, 18 October 2003 03:37 (twenty-one years ago)

the irony of my head being large enough to accomodate all my teeth is not lost on me.

― mohammed abba (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 18 October 2003 03:40 (twenty-one years ago)

I had novacaine and laughing gas, and it wasn't bad. Recovery was a bitch though.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Saturday, 18 October 2003 03:41 (twenty-one years ago)

being put under is strange, and yes, waking up from it isn't terribly pleasant

Are you kidding? It was awesome. Best drugs I was ever on. I had no clue how I got home. Remember talking to my girlfriend on the phone and thinking it was a dream.

Mine weren't impacted either and they were on the bottom--which supposedly isn't as bad/painful. There's really no reason to put it off, as even after the glorious drugs wore off, I didn't really feel any pain.

― oops (Oops), Saturday, 18 October 2003 04:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I had all four taken out, in two installments. Just a local, and nothing afterwards. My experience was similar to Tep's, I felt the pressure, the dentist bracing (they're really in there firmly), and then the horrible crunching sound. But it didn't hurt. Afterwards it did, but you gargle with saltwater, and in a day or so, you're fine.

BUT, I had no fewer than 3 friends who had theirs extracted and developed serious infections. One had to go into the hospital and was quite ill. Another had a plastic tube stuck through his cheek to drain all the pond scum that the infection was producing...

So make sure your dentist washes his hands and that you gargle frequently with salt water to keep your mouth clean.

― Skottie, Saturday, 18 October 2003 05:28 (twenty-one years ago)

being put under is *awesome*. really. unless you have to vomit anaesthetic when you wake up, like i did. but still. apply chapstick early and often cause they're gonna prop yr mouth open for a good long while.

bonus: do not read 'canticle for liebowitz' as i did while recovering from having them out in the eleventh grade. it's a downer.

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Saturday, 18 October 2003 05:33 (twenty-one years ago)

does everyone have wisdom teeth? i'm 21 now and they haven't appeared. unless they did and i haven't noticed...

― Slump Man (Slump Man), Saturday, 18 October 2003 10:14 (twenty-one years ago)

i had no problems with being put under, and, like tep, there was no real pain following the operation - i think on the 2nd day i could eat solid foodstuffs again. (and i didn't even try on the first day, cos why not eat ice cream for dinner once in a while?)

― mitch lastnamewithheld (mitchlnw), Saturday, 18 October 2003 10:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Donut Bitch was around when I got my own wisdom teeth out, so I can't really add anything to this he doesn't know already -- I had a great operation and easy extraction, all four out, out and about the following day. When it comes to being put under, it was the second time I've had an operation in my life that required it, and while the grogginess of recovery was just that, I didn't feel much concern over the whole thing, really.

― Ned at Martin's place (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 18 October 2003 10:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I had mine taken out with just local anaesthetic, so I was awake when they did it. I won't lie, it wasn't exactly fun, but it didn't really hurt either. Mostly it was just uncomfortable, what with some guy's hands being in your mouth. I could feel the pressure of the teeth being removed, which isn't a pleasant sensation, but wasn't painful. The recovery was somewhat painful, but only for the first 24 hours or so. Get some crappy movies to watch, some ice cream and jello, get someone to take care of you so you can bitch and moan. After that first 24 hours, it doesn't hurt that much. But stay away from solid foods for longer than you think is necessary - I started eating solid foods too soon afterwords and my toothgap got infected or something. That was more painful than the original procedure.

― NA (Nick A.), Saturday, 18 October 2003 11:59 (twenty-one years ago)

I kind of like being put under, like some of the others above, but I like drugs in general, though I stay away from them.

― Al Andalous, Saturday, 18 October 2003 12:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I had three wisdom teeth out a long time ago. I don't remember much suffering involved in the aftermath.

― Al Andalous, Saturday, 18 October 2003 12:46 (twenty-one years ago)

They gave laughing gas to start and then intravenous. Didn't put me to sleep but my god I was in cloud nine. It was miles better then being knocked out.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Saturday, 18 October 2003 13:32 (twenty-one years ago)

does everyone have wisdom teeth? i'm 21 now and they haven't appeared. unless they did and i haven't noticed...

Mine didn't show up until I was 24 or 25 (and just the top ones). I'm not sure if everyone gets them, but I think most people eventually get either the top or bottom ones; a friend of mine just got two of his, and he's 27.

So you're not out of the potential woods yet :)

― Tep (ktepi), Saturday, 18 October 2003 13:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Everyone has wisdom teeth, but they're somewhat vestigal in a lot of people--with a wide range of development. Some come in just fine, some impact other teeth. Some come in only partly (mine) and stay infected all the time. At any rate, they're some of the last things in your body to develop so in your 20s is totally normal. If you go to the dentist occasionally, as you should, he/she will tell you what's up. It's easy to see if they're looking in your mouth anyway. Eeeww. Yuck.

― Skottie, Saturday, 18 October 2003 13:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I had to get four wisdom teeth out at once and the procedure wasn't that bad. They gave me the anesthesia and said, "Okay, count backwards from three." and I was like, "This is so stupid, this will never work" and the next thing I knew I was waking up in a chair somewhere else and I was *hysterical* for an hour, for no reason. I was convinced I was freezing to death & was sobbing, though nothing hurt or anything... very strange experience.

― j c, Saturday, 18 October 2003 16:08 (twenty-one years ago)

It was awesome. Best drugs I was ever on.

Oops OTM.

― adaml (adaml), Saturday, 18 October 2003 16:16 (twenty-one years ago)

my first experience with general anesthetic was really similar to jc's. i counted backwards from ten then apparently said,"you have to give me more", then zzzzzzzzzzzzz. i woke up crying and puked on an attendant. second time much more pleasant. no sickness, just tired and cranky.

― lauren (laurenp), Saturday, 18 October 2003 17:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Going into the operation, I spent quite some time and energy selecting proper music even though I had general aenesthetic. I had a mix of a Vladislav Delay album, and some Boards of Canada, in that order. I start off on track one, get the drip in my arm, next thing I know it's Boards of Canada.

However, I did wake up once in the middle of the procedure. I remember feeling a dull but noticeable pain where the Dr was digging, and I managed to groan. Nothing terribly scary, fortunately.

Recovery is more or less a breeze; sleep for a couple days, make sure to take painkillers/anitbiotics, take it easy, you're done.

― Leee (Leee), Saturday, 18 October 2003 17:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Not much scares me but this does. Mine are, touch wood, OK. I visit the dentist every six months and I'm always out in no time because I keep care of my teeth. The idea of someone tearing out my wizzies scares the absolute shit out of me.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Saturday, 18 October 2003 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

My wisdom teeth started chipping early last year. At first, I didn't know what the hell I did to chip them and why they hurt so much. When I went to a London dentist, his words that "they will continue to hurt, and be harder to take out later" made me extract two. (Course, this extraction happened the same day I went to see Suede at the Shepherd's Bush Empire. Nothing like jamming to a band on Novocaine.)

Wasn't scary a'tall; the most diff part was angling that damn long needle they use for the injection. Recovery was easy, though I was downing headache pills every 4 hours for a couple of days. Oh, and I had to sleep sitting up.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Saturday, 18 October 2003 17:20 (twenty-one years ago)

God, I'm really apprehensive and tense now, and there's nothign wrong with them!

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Saturday, 18 October 2003 17:21 (twenty-one years ago)

NJ, breathe dude: there's nothing to get apprehensive about. Tis pretty simple.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Saturday, 18 October 2003 17:26 (twenty-one years ago)

haha, you anesthetic lovers aren't convincing me one bit to want to give it a shot, that's for sure. ("*awesome*" and "crying and puking" just doesn't work for me for some reason)

but i'm really happy to hear all the stories, as all of them confirm that it isn't really anything to worry too much about. yay thread! :)

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 18 October 2003 17:39 (twenty-one years ago)

(i meant general anesthesia above, of course)

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 18 October 2003 17:41 (twenty-one years ago)

DB, we live to quench yer terror.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Saturday, 18 October 2003 17:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Mine isn't quenched!

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Saturday, 18 October 2003 18:04 (twenty-one years ago)

But there's nowt wrong w/ yours. What would you have to worry about?

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Saturday, 18 October 2003 18:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Cos you're all telling horror stories! I duunno, I guess just cos I've never had a problem with my teeth, the idea of summat going wrong is double scary.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Saturday, 18 October 2003 18:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Are you afraid of needles? Cause that only lasts a sec

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Saturday, 18 October 2003 18:22 (twenty-one years ago)

No, I'm afraid of psychopaths ripping bones out of my face!

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Saturday, 18 October 2003 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

WTF? NJ, we've leapfrogged past the 19th century medically. Stop watching Little Shop of Horrors;>

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Saturday, 18 October 2003 18:43 (twenty-one years ago)

(or the Lisa Gets Braces episode of the Simpsons)

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 18 October 2003 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I had a lot of fun getting my wisdom teeth removed. but i was in highschool and didn't really have any obligations. i had them surgically removed. and i drifted in and out of drugged sleep for a week, ate a lot of mashed potatoes, and got out of marching band for an entire month because i couldnt play my saxophone. rock.

― mandee, Saturday, 18 October 2003 21:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe the reason you're hearing so many horror stories is that those of us with dull stories are refraining from sharing. So I'll share mine. I was in high school when I got all the wisdom teeth removed. Got anesthetic, was talking to the dentist about college applications and the next thing I knew I was done. I don't remember any pain to speak of, and didn't have that much swelling afterwards. I was back to my normal routine the next day. I probably drank milkshakes for dinner that night just like mitch--for the novelty of having a good excuse for milkshakes-for-dinner more than anything.

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Saturday, 18 October 2003 22:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Had my two left-side wisdom teeth pulled about twenty years ago. The dentist looked at the x-rays and said 'this will be easy -- I'll do it, don't bother going to an oral surgeon'.

Turned out that one of the roots of the teeth had a hook-shaped end to it (which he couldn't see from the x-ray). He was hacking/yanking on that tooth for about two hours. Whenever I started feeling anything I'd just tap him on the arm and he'd give me another shot of novocaine. I lost count of the novocaine shots at about seven or eight. The socket of the tooth bled for about three days. I'm usually very anti-pain medication, but I made an exception in this case :-)

General anesthetic's for wimps. I've had six teeth (in all) extracted and two cysts removed from my neck, all under local.

― Jeff Wright, Sunday, 19 October 2003 01:10 (twenty-one years ago)

..after walking 20 miles in 10 feet of snow, each way?

― donut bitch (donut), Sunday, 19 October 2003 01:42 (twenty-one years ago)

What's up with all yall getting less than 4 of your wisdom teeth pulled? I had one or two that grew out ok, but the surgeon took them out anyway to "keep balance" or sommat.

Actually kind of sux for me because now there's a looser gap in my back molars that food too easily gets stuck in, because there aren't teeth behind to make the space tighter.

― Leee (Leee), Sunday, 19 October 2003 04:25 (twenty-one years ago)

A lot of times, you don't get all four coming in -- either at once, or ever. It's been three or four years since I had my uppers removed, and the lowers still don't show up on X-ray (of course, the uppers went from "not showing up on X-ray" to "badly impacted" in six months).

― Tep (ktepi), Sunday, 19 October 2003 04:30 (twenty-one years ago)

My dentist refused to take my wisdom teeth out, because the x-rays show all four coming in straight, without impacting any other teeth. So instead every seveal months I get a dull but tenacious pain in my jaw. I can't remember whether he said to take aspirin or ibuprofin to cope, but neither does anything to touch it.

― j.lu (j.lu), Sunday, 19 October 2003 13:45 (twenty-one years ago)

like Ned I had a really easy experience - all four out at the same time with no paina nd out and aboutthe next day.

when went in they asked me if i wanted local, general or evrything. No fool I, I said everything and got two pills which was told after I took 'em that they were valium & demerol and then got laughing gas and intravenous. Was woken up a while later, stumbled home and woke up to see Oprah and the Teenage Mutant Nija Turtles singing together. (Note I later found out that this was not a hallucination)

― H (Heruy), Sunday, 19 October 2003 14:16 (twenty-one years ago)

>..after walking 20 miles in 10 feet of snow, each way?

Touche. Actually, funny you mention that because one of the cyst removals was during the '94 Winter Olympics, and all I remember about it now was that the surgeon kept babbling about Kristi Yamaguchi.

― Jeff Wright, Monday, 20 October 2003 02:01 (twenty-one years ago)

The week I got my wisdom teeth out was the best week of my life. Vicodin and sorbet and daytime tv. I'm jealous of you, donut bitch.

― kirsten (kirsten), Monday, 20 October 2003 02:04 (twenty-one years ago)

general was totally fun. i woke up and my mouth didn't move right but i found trying to speak and nearly everything else totally hilarious and funny.

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Monday, 20 October 2003 02:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I just wanted to rub it in everyone's face that not only do I have all my wisdom teeth but I also have two extra teeth!!

― Ally-zay, Monday, 20 October 2003 04:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Ugh, my wisdom teeth story is one of those fucking teenage traumas that I've never recovered from... I had to get them out, I have a teensy mouth and regular-size teeth, and they just did not all fit. I had/have this terror of general anesthesia (part of my loss-of-control thing that makes me terrified of anything mind-altering). My parents took me to the oral surgeon, I refused to let them put me under. That happened twice; the third time, several dental assistants *HELD ME DOWN* and put the needle in. Fucking psychological equivalent of rape.

Ironically, my best friend was DYING to have general anesthesia, and had the same oral surgeon, and he INSISTED on local with her.

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Monday, 20 October 2003 04:56 (twenty-one years ago)

(x-post to ally) *holds up cross and arms self with holy water*

― donut bitch (donut), Monday, 20 October 2003 04:57 (twenty-one years ago)

layna, i totally understand what you're saying.

Just a quick show of hands, how many hear who like the idea of general anesthesia also are into recreational drug use (responsibly or not)? how many here who FEAR general anesthesia are into same? (not trying to make a point or anything, just curious, use anons if you have to)

― donut bitch (donut), Monday, 20 October 2003 05:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Room was made for my wisdom teeth during my orthodontological procedures by removing four other teeth and dragging the back molars forward (over some months). Later I needed dental surgery to remove the gum above the wisdom teeth as they came up - done under local, feeling a scalpel slice through your gums while not feeling pain is not so much traumatic as creepily interesting.

The only trauma I've experienced re the procedures was an indignant lecture from my latest dentist about the horrors of 1970s orthodonty.

― lint (Jack), Monday, 20 October 2003 05:04 (twenty-one years ago)

how many hear who like the idea of general anesthesia also are into recreational drug use

*raises hand*

― oops (Oops), Monday, 20 October 2003 05:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks DB, was afraid I was sounding a bit hysterical there but I think you're getting me. In fact I don't even drink, so uncomfortable am I with the whole thing, and I think the whole wisdom teeth thing only made it worse.

lint, besides the wisdom teeth coming out, I had SIX other teeth taken out at one sitting with local anesthesia -- it WAS creepily interesting, especially *hearing the roots of the teeth creak as they reluctantly let loose*.

Both these epic tooth-removal sprees resulted in perfectly fine healing and stuff, by the way.

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Monday, 20 October 2003 05:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I had mine out under general anaesthetic. It was great. One big dollop of sedative which gave me a tremendous high, five seconds of counting backwards until the GA kicked, and then a slightly odd awakening when I still had huge wads of gauze in my mouth. I suffered from a mild infection which left me on uber-painkillers and antibiotics for ten days afterward, most of which time I was floating around on the ceiling.

― Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 20 October 2003 13:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I had mine out at age 16 with a local anaesthetic and gas. The gas did nothing to me, I think they didn't have the mix of gasses right. Anyway, I was in so much pain I pushed the dentist off of me and he had to call in more local anaesthetic. So I was completely aware of the pulling of the upper and the crunching of my lower wisdom teeth.

After the anaesthetic wore off (2-4 hours later) I was in the worse physical pain of my life. My father had to call the dentist and the dentist advised me to double or triple the dosage of pain killers he prescribed.

If I had to do it over again I would do general anaesthetic and ask the dentist for an extreemely strong pain killer for afterwards.

― marianna, Monday, 20 October 2003 13:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I am a complete and total wimp when it comes to pain, yet I felt almost nothing when I had all 4 removed on the same day -- even when the anaesthetic wore off.

― Nicolars (Nicole), Monday, 20 October 2003 13:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Whilst my brain-cells competed for the medal in the backstroke competition in a molten cauldren of nitrous oxide, as I drifted off apparently my primary final utterance to the tooth-ripping-from-my-skull practitioner of doctory was "see ya backstage".

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 20 October 2003 14:02 (twenty-one years ago)

how many here who FEAR general anesthesia are into same?

I don't fear it, per se, but since it has a higher risk than local, I avoid it when there's no reason not to. (Overblown splinter removal where the splinter happens to be a tooth: just give me the damn shot. Muscle-severing surgery: pass the pipe.)

The only recreational drug I like is acid; I don't even like being drunk unless it's tequila that took me there.

― Tep (ktepi), Monday, 20 October 2003 14:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I got all 4 of mine (impacted, growing in sideways) out under GA when I was about 21 (never said I wasn't a wimp) - started at 10, 9, 8, then they were shaking me awake. I went home and slept for much of the day, which was okay, but my mom (who had picked me up) took my prescription to work with her, and I didn't get it until about 7 pm (I was home by noon). I remember asking my boyfriend at the time to get me a glass of water in one of my brief waking up periods, and I started to cry because it was so cold that it just killed me. It hurt like a motherfucker for the next couple days - vicodin never really has worked on me - and two days later I looked like Pumpkinhead, but otherwise, I didn't get infections or anything, so I suppose it was fine, really.

― luna (luna.c), Monday, 20 October 2003 16:06 (twenty-one years ago)

four months pass...

Saw a dentist today. One of my wisdom teeth is infected, and all four of them are going to be removed probably next week by a referred oral surgeon. (they only NOW just "found" the other two wisdom in my upper teeth, because I hadn't had x-rays nor seen a dentist in 10 years, and the other two wisdom teeth were never seen until now!). One of my wisdom teeth is a "time bomb waiting to cause mass swelling and possibly cause permanent facial damage". They gave me antibiotics. Lovely.

The good news is: otherwise, my teeth are in good condition, aside from needing a deep cleaning, one tooth having very slight decay and a filling that needs to be refilled... which apparently is amazing -- borderline unheard of -- for not having seen a dentist for a decade, acc. to what I was told. So, uh, keep brushing and flossing, people. It works.

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:03 (twenty-one years ago)

That's about as good news as you can have with regards to wisdom teeth. Are you getting general anesthetic, or you going to go all HARDCORE LOCAL?

― Leee the Whiney (Leee), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I have no idea... it depends on how much more it will cost for being knocked out. I'm more worried about the cost than the procedure at this point. It also depends on what my surgeon recommends during my pre-surgery evaluation on tuesday.

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe I can do something in between.. Like quaff some D&D Fantasyland sleeping potion or something.

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:09 (twenty-one years ago)

But yeah, two of the wisdom teeth (on the bottom) are erupted already (one of which is decayed/infected), and the other two (upper)are retained way up there. None are impacted.. so I count my lucky stars for that.

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:11 (twenty-one years ago)

No, I'm afraid of psychopaths ripping bones out of my face!
-- Nick Southall (auspiciousfis...), October 18th, 2003.

Nick, do you seriously still have this fear?

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:12 (twenty-one years ago)

i've been having tooth/gum pain these past couple of weeks... thanks for reminding me that i need to call the dentist.

― stockholm cindy (Jody Beth Rosen), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:17 (twenty-one years ago)

donut bitch.. how old are you? I'm 29 and never bothered getting my wisdom teeth taken out either despite the fact that ten years ago my dentist was telling me that complications would most likely ensue if they were left in. I haven't been back since and haven't thought anything of it for a long time. I just figured it stopped being an issue once you reached a certain age, but your post has me worrying now.

*frets*

― maypang (maypang), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:18 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm 32.

i think it's high time you see a dentist. maypang.. just so you can get all the worries out of the way.

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:21 (twenty-one years ago)

But my teef aren't even crooked. Yet.

― maypang (maypang), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I have no idea how much dentists cost these days either. This is probably where most of the fear comes into place.

― maypang (maypang), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:25 (twenty-one years ago)

i had 4 removed, they wouldn't come out easily at all, they got infected, twice, and it took 5 weeks of pain (2 weeks of sleeplessness!), and $2000. i had to rush that out cos i'm still upset at the memory. really.

― paulhw (paulhw), Saturday, 6 March 2004 01:29 (twenty-one years ago)

well, i undergo the removal of the wisdom teeth this Thursday. They're impacted, as it turns out, and one of them is rotting (this i knew).

I'm not dealing with this well. At all. I know better than that. But still. I'm scared shitless. I really need support right now. :(

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:18 (twenty-one years ago)

and my surgeon told me because of my case, general anesthesia is required. sigh.

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

*many good thoughts* DB, seriously -- I went under for my procedure, everything was just fine. But if you'd like to talk about it some more, call me tonight.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I think wisdom teeth are supposed to grow in sideways - if we didn't have proper dental care and lost teeth, it would help to have some wisdom teeth come in and push your other teeth closer together.

― Maria D, Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm more worried about the cost than the procedure at this point.

Do you have any dental insurance?

I hope it goes well for you DB -- good luck.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Good luck, DB -- I don't think it'll be as bad as you're afraid it will be. I had two removed, both of them badly impacted, at the same time as a root planing, and after a couple days on Vicodin, the residual soreness was no worse than a filling. It sounds terrible, but it's more that it's a potentially complicated thing than a horrifyingly painful one. You're gonna be fine, and it'll be out of the way, and the next time some pansyass complains about a toothache, you'll be able to school him.

― Tep (ktepi), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:33 (twenty-one years ago)

I have dental insurance, but not the greatest... the entire procedure costs $1760. My dental insurance company is paying for $780 of it, I cover the rest out of pocket. (nearly a grand). I can afford it, but I was a bit dismayed with the total cost being much higher than I expected.

And I still haven't secured a required escort to take me back to my house.. if I don't, the surgery won't happen. :( I would have had escorts had they not all moved away or be off on trips later this week. :( :(

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:38 (twenty-one years ago)

(at least the surgeon in question is a known professor of anesthetic courses, so at least, I feel a bit comfortable that he knows what he's doing.. other than that though.. *urrrg*)

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:39 (twenty-one years ago)

(thanks to all the kind words, people. :-/ )

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:40 (twenty-one years ago)

They've been telling me for years that I need to get my wisdom teeth taken out, but I'm reluctant because I'm scared of dying. From what I've been able to gather there are two main ways of dying while undergoing wisdom tooth removal. One is the risk that you always take when you're put under anesthesia; dosage is such a tricky thing that just a little too much and you never wake up (I've always been worried that my weight being very low compared to my height they would give me too much and kill me). The other is that apparently there are some largish veins or arteries or something right up under your wisdom teeth, and if your roots have wrapped around them you could bleed to death when they pull the tooth out (and I'm afraid my own personal wisdom teeth roots are pretty well established by now).

― Dan I., Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:46 (twenty-one years ago)

DB, skip this post.

maypang! Make the appointment. A check-up to find out how desperately you need to deal with the wisdom teeth wouldn't be very expensive. Many cheap insurance plans, aimed basically at taking care of one specific problem, can save you hundreds of dollars if you do have the surgery. Because if you don't, the danger isn't simply having crooked teeth: wisdom teeth that are impacted enough and aren't taken care of can cause damage to your jaw -- which is reparable -- and damage to your gums, which isn't. The risks associated with the surgery skyrocket if you let it wait, and so does the price.

― Tep (ktepi), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:47 (twenty-one years ago)

It didn't help that one of my professors who also taught at a dental school told us "You wouldn't believe how many people die during wisdom tooth surgery."

― Dan I., Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:48 (twenty-one years ago)

xpost; that goes out to Dan now, too

― Tep (ktepi), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I heard that 10 people have died from wisdom teeth removal from the last decade total.. in the world. And all those cases involved shady surgeons.

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:52 (twenty-one years ago)

DB, believe me, the anticipation is worse than the actual procedure. When the dentist warned me I'd have to take the wisdom teeth out late in 2003, I was actually scared of the possible pain (and that's a rarity!) 2 visits later (one for the X-ray and the second for the actual removal), I found out it wasn't as bad as I thought. Best part? The novocaine! You'll be in bliss after 10 seconds---won't feel a thing.

(hugs) Can't be there to squeeze your hand, but hang in there, mate.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:17 (twenty-one years ago)

db, word of advice (but be warned, it's disgusting):

you know when you get hit in the mouth or gums and you begin salivating? after i came to post-surgery i began swallowing what i thought was harmless saliva, a logical byproduct of having my dentist slicing open my gums and extract chunks of teeth in my jaws. about 4 hours later (i remember laying on my friend's floor watching "misery") i sat up quick ran to the bathroom and vomited up a stomachful's worth of semi-coagulated blood.

so.... keep a spit cup near you, preferably plastic and red.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 00:26 (twenty-one years ago)

You're supposed to get gauze to soak up the blood!

For me, I was bleeding for a day or two after the procedure, but because of how much I slept and painkillers (and actually, I only took two Vicadin total), the most discomfort I had was soreness in the gums.

You'll do fine, DB!

― Leee the Lee (Leee), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 00:57 (twenty-one years ago)

db, my wisdom teeth removal was my first surgery (and had never had any fillings or anything either), so I was nervous, but it all turned out ok. Recovery was worse than the surgery but then I had no drugs. If you can handle getting cavities filled you can handle this.

gygax, ewww

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 01:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Donut, you still need a ride? email me!

layna (at) teamandersen (dot) net

(The unemployed can be useful members of society.)

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 01:17 (twenty-one years ago)

DB, I'll second the offer for a ride. Let me know!

I had mine out, under full anesthia. Wasn't a problem, really. I remember mostly coming home, lying flat on my back on my bed, and putting two frozen bags of peas over my cheeks. I fell asleep, woke up 2 hours later, the gauze fell out of my cheeks, I got out of bed, and made myself a chocolate milkshake. I only took the percocet for 2 days & then advil for a few days more. I did have about half my chin go numb for 2 weeks- when I went back for a checkup a week later, they said "Hmmm, yeah, that could be permanent, but mostly likely not." And indeed, it slowly faded away. Apparently temporary numbness like that happens sometimes from the swelling in your lower face putting pressure on the nerves or something.

Stock up on pudding cups, and put frozen bags of peas in your freezer, I also bought a bunch of frozen fruit & yogurt that I made into smoothies for most meals.

― lyra (lyra), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 03:43 (twenty-one years ago)

hey folks.. looks like my ride will be committing to picking me up at 10:15 thurs morning... Jen & Martin, Matos (who didn't post here but who I did talk to on the phone), Layna, Lyra, Ned, Nichole, Nicole, Leee, Rosemary, Gyg , thank you very much for the offers and consolement. (although, gyg, you are kinda freaking me out about the cup.. I still have red acrylic paint left or a red plastic cup somewhere, and I might put that to good use tomorrow)

I stocked up on a lot of the liquid stuff, but, lyra, your frozen peas and frozen fruit & yogurt smoothie idea is a great great idea, and I will do a followup shopping trip tomorrow.

(Still nervous as hell.)

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 04:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Fear not, sir. And gimme a call, I'm back home now.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 04:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Think SMOOTH and COLD for foods for at least 2 days, if people tell you to eat soup or other warm things, do not listen.

I was totally freaked out before mine (I told my roommate, who was driving me, that he was to wheel me into the office if I tried to run away (; ), but it all worked out. The nurse/anethesiologist person was chatting with me before & really calmed me down. And I had mine done at the Swedish Medical Tower, which is essentially across the street from the main Swedish building. So I was thinking, well, if they goof up, I'm right near a good emergency room. ;-)

Of course other than the numbness, nothing bad happened. Looking back, it was a total breeze. If I put locking up my back as a 10 on my personal painful experiences scale, getting my wisdom teeth removed (and they were UNDER my other teeth in x-rays) was only a 4. Burning my arm on my iron a few months ago was way worse.

― lyra (lyra), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 04:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Your orthodontist probably will mention or has already, but don't drink through straws! The sucking action will mess up the sutures.

― Leee the Lee (Leee), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 04:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Lyra, did you go to Tidwell? That's where I'm going! In Ballard, right next to the Swedish Medical Center. And the dentist who referred me to that guy is a kickass Swedish woman.

I must visit Stockholm as part of a future pilgrimage.

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 05:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Yup, Lyra, Leee, got all your tips in the pamphlet they gave me today.. SMOOTH and COLD. and NO STRAWS. I think I'm in good knowing hands.

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 05:15 (twenty-one years ago)

hi brian. i got all four puled out at once. i was escared!! but i didnt feel a thing and i got damn good pain pills! the only bad thing is no smoking and the food getting stuck in the holes! gygax otm about spit cup.

― Pablo Cruise (chaki), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 05:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmm, no, I don't remember the name of my doctor, but it began with a B.

ILX in Stockholm! :-)

― lyra (lyra), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 05:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I was gonna mention the no straw thing.

And definitely keep ice packs/frozen peas on your face for the first day. It will cut down on the swollen chipmunk cheek effect.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 05:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Is it wrong of me to trump the post-surgery diet? I already started on the Haagen-Dazs Dulce De Leche pint I picked up tonight.

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 05:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Eeeeeh, now I need some of that DDL... Sounds like you'll be OK. ;-)

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 20:50 (twenty-one years ago)

(layna :), just ran into Doug on my way out of the Fremont PCC)

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 21:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Hee! Hope you gave him a sloppy kiss for me. :-)

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Thursday, 11 March 2004 01:34 (twenty-one years ago)

good luck db - I'm sure you'll be fine.

― hstencil, Thursday, 11 March 2004 02:02 (twenty-one years ago)

This is just to post that DB's operation should have begun a couple of minutes ago, so many good thoughts!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 11 March 2004 17:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Hope it goes well.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Thursday, 11 March 2004 18:07 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm back! (typing with o ne hand while ice pack on mouth)

jesus h christ what a non-issue the operation was

theh did n2o and i was wondering when the iv then being knocked out would happen. i heard vague smalltalk between surgeon and assistant for about 5 minutes expecting to then pass out, but then i was "awoken" and told "ok you're done.. your ride is here!". and i was lke "wtf? SERIOUSLY?" in my head. i still don't believe they did anything and that they just put stuff and red liquid in my mouth as part of an elaborate joke!...

i'm surprisingly with it despite most people's experiences 30 minutes after.. (hell i'm typing this now, aren't i?)

so i guess the "fun" part (grumble) will begin in a few hours.. but still... wow, the anticipation was 10x, no, 100x worse.

now to watch that goddamn beatles anthology series which i got just for a day like this.

and gygax and chaki totally otm about spit cup.. add paper towels to that.

but yeah, now i can just, um, see what happens and hopefuly , i'll be ready to "hang out" again come sunday or something.. :)

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 11 March 2004 19:35 (twenty-one years ago)

(oh and i was given endocet as my painkiller of choice ... related to percocet, i believe)

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 11 March 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Cool! Glad it went well. When I got mine done, I don't think I even needed to be on drugs, and was totally back to (sore) normal the next day.

Enjoy the painkillers...

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Thursday, 11 March 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

i was lke "wtf? SERIOUSLY?" in my
head. i still don't believe they did anything and that they just put stuff and red liquid in my mouth as part of an elaborate joke!...

Haha! That was exactly my feeling too with my operation. "Oh, okay, so I just start breathing this in, nice." "Well, you're done!" "What the hell, you just STARTED!"

Anyway, rah for the DB! Now rest up and enjoy no more rotting teeth in the jaw.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 11 March 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, they didn't even do the countdown thing..that's what i was waiting for... but instead i was done!

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 11 March 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, I'm so glad the procedure went smoothly! Let me know if you need anything. Too bad Kozmo.com doesn't exist anymore -- I miss the pints of ice cream delivered to your door!

― Jen (nstop), Thursday, 11 March 2004 20:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Glad everything went well!

― Tep (ktepi), Thursday, 11 March 2004 20:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I admit that there is a trick question.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Thursday, 11 March 2004 21:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Glad it went well, sug.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 11 March 2004 21:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Whoops! wrong thread!

Hope your recovery's well. Eat some ice cream!

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Thursday, 11 March 2004 21:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I was wondering what the trick question was.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Thursday, 11 March 2004 21:28 (twenty-one years ago)

"Would you want to let your teeth rot and fall out on their own?"

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 11 March 2004 21:30 (twenty-one years ago)

See? Easy like cake!

― Leee the Lee (Leee), Friday, 12 March 2004 00:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm so glad it went well, and with minimal angst. Things usually do turn out that way. ;-) Maybe we should have a FAIC (fancy an icecream?) sometime!

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Friday, 12 March 2004 00:55 (twenty-one years ago)

FAHDDDLADPAMPIS!

Fancy A Haagen-Dazs Dulce De Leche And Delivery Pizza At My Place In Seattle

― donut bitch (donut), Friday, 12 March 2004 01:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah,Pagliacci's delivers gelato 1/2 pints. Mmmmmm, chocolate gelato at yr door. :-) (The creme caramel flavor is also good, but not sure if it's still "in season" any more, heh)

― lyra (lyra), Friday, 12 March 2004 03:06 (twenty-one years ago)

And I'm glad it went so well! yay!

― lyra (lyra), Friday, 12 March 2004 03:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm all up for an pizza & dessert/ice cream FAP party. I might have you all sign liability forms to protect myself, however, in case of death from calorie/fat O.D., however.

― donut bitch (donut), Friday, 12 March 2004 07:47 (twenty-one years ago)

alls i got 2 say im scared shit less yea sounds fun getting high on the novicane and shit but my main probly is i dont want to feel shit nothing at all just count down and wake u lik what the fuck i got the munches so should i get the 1 where im aslepp or still awake but not fellin anything plus im getting mine done free my mom got the hook up and plus my worst fear is surgery a 1 question do they have to take a peace of ur jaw bone out to get to ur wisdom teeth ?

― Talyn chartier, Thursday, 25 March 2004 00:44 (twenty-one years ago)

In this case, I hope so.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Thursday, 25 March 2004 01:05 (twenty-one years ago)

El Diablo Victorious!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 25 March 2004 01:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Stay tuned to this thread... because you will witness the awe inspiring HAWDKOAHNOISEFUCK of

WISDOM WHOLES!!! and their debut single "MONOJECT(r) 412"!!!!!

WITNESS!

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 25 March 2004 01:12 (twenty-one years ago)

They gave me some serious good injections during that.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 25 March 2004 03:15 (twenty-one years ago)

(ok serious update.. i stopped taking painkillers every four hours, and so far so good.. still need to use that Monoject little water squirter thingie for the holes, and the saline rinse and all that, but otherwise, pretty good. My tongue had been numb for the past two weeks but has been becoming slightly less numb every day, and it's 90% back to normal again)

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 25 March 2004 04:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Rah!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 25 March 2004 04:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey. I ran into this thread when searching the web for wisdom teeth extraction experiences. I'm getting mine out this Thursday(April 1st). All of them are erupted except one that is almost completely in(its throbbing as we speak). All of your post have really helped. I'm really anxious about being put under. While I've had 4 teeth removed when i was little for my braces, I was never put under. My doc says they are using something called "twilight anesthesia". I don't really care too much about the pain, because I've been through that before. I just don't want to see anything while he's working on me. Has anyone that has had this type of anesthesia tell me what it's like?

― ebbmarie, Monday, 29 March 2004 02:46 (twenty-one years ago)

ebbmarie, it's really scary anticipating it, but they'll probably put you under a very light laughing gas before they put you under, and chances are, you won't remember a thing. Almost no time will pass, and then you'll just wake up and your doc will be "you're done!", and you'll be ecstaticly happy because THAT WAS IT! you'll also be numb in the mouth with gauze inside your mouth. So, take a day to prepare to get your frozen peas or edamame and ice packs and liquid food for two days.. a get your spitting cup for the bleeding for the first day or so (which you won't really feel or care about, since you'll be on good painkillers one would hope) and kick back and enjoy the days off!

― donut bitch (donut), Monday, 29 March 2004 05:43 (twenty-one years ago)

In fact DB is loving it so much he is having the rest of his teeth removed.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 29 March 2004 07:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I got mine removed, hospital, three days.

I had five.

― mark grout (mark grout), Monday, 29 March 2004 08:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Treat it as cosmetic surgery - once the swelling has gone down you'll have great cheekbones!

― Madchen (Madchen), Monday, 29 March 2004 13:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks guys! I'm gonna try to relax and I'll let you know how it goes.

― ebbmarie, Monday, 29 March 2004 14:33 (twenty-one years ago)

i got mine out this morning and my mouth still numb ass fuck im drewling every where lol when i eat but i was shitting my pants in the waiting room but the doctor did mine for free he was like u gunna have fun in a minute becauce u gunna feel high he asked for a cd which i ahd tupac greatest hits 1 and i was jammin the hole time cuz u aint shit with out ur home boyz

― holla fora dolla, Tuesday, 30 March 2004 20:57 (twenty-one years ago)

HEy! Thanks for the help donut. I got my teeth taken out yesterday morning. it was a breeze./ all i remember is the IV whihc was the hard part because my veins don't show easily. After that they were waking my up. I have no pain and no swelling. the only thing now is that the cavity that was the cause of me getting my teeth out may have caused a bigger problem and i MAY have to have a root canal. But hey, if it's THIS easy it will be fine. Thanks again!

― ebbmarie, Friday, 2 April 2004 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Man, sitting here at 2am feeling sore and sorry for myself Just had the last three removed under general anethestic. Coughed and choked and stopped breathing while under so they had to stick a tube down my throat and change the anethestic mix to bring me back before it got real messy. No pain, you guys are heros! My pain threshold is minimal and the painkillers are really cool!

― Paul Mercer, Tuesday, 6 April 2004 15:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I am recently going to get my wisdom teeth pulled this thursday April 17th. And i am tottally scared. I was looking at your site and reading it and some of the stories don't sound that bad, but then agin some do i am still running this though my head so much it hurts. And just would like to talk about it. I am 27 and my wisdom teeth are all though the gums but the one tooth on the right side on the bottom has a hook on it and i am worried about that one. i heard some risks from my oral surgoen like numbness or permenant,and nerve damage and breakage of the jaw , and brusing and stretching of the mouth i am very terrified please help me .....................:(:(:(:(:(

― Lizzy_B, Wednesday, 7 April 2004 02:54 (twenty-one years ago)

They are risks but they are standard risks, and if your oral surgeon has come recommended from friends or other folks, then you're probably in good shape. Don't fret!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 03:18 (twenty-one years ago)

The risks are there, but the people that stuff happens to are almost entirely people older than you (mid 30s and beyond) and people who've put off the surgery for a long time. It really is one of those things that suffers from being ignored and delayed -- which you're not doing. I'm sure you're gonna be just fine. Get the frozen peas, get some ice cream, and make sure you've got transportation home.

― Tep (ktepi), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 03:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey.. I'm one of those mid 30's and beyond people... I've got a fully impacted wisdom tooth.. now I'm not sure whether to get it removed or just live with the pain. :(

― balthar, Friday, 9 April 2004 10:18 (twenty-one years ago)

It's always less risky to get it removed, believe me -- get it done. I'd discuss the risks with your dentist and all, but not from a "should I do this" point of view so much as a "what are you going to do to be as careful as possible" point of view. The risks are still slim, but if you were to put it off for a long time you could do damage to your jaw, and I don't know anyone who's had that happen but it's gotta be really unpleasant.

― Tep (ktepi), Friday, 9 April 2004 12:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Trust me. It's been a week. I was COMPLETELY freaked out and scared. Anticipation is the worst part. Yeah,you can't eat anything hard for a while(I still can't eat hamburgers and chicken). But the pain I had from the pressure of the teeth erupting was MUCH worse than anything I've experienced. Also, if you leave an impacted tooth in it can possibly cause some really bad problems. It's better to take them out. You will be fine. Just get your peas, juice, yogurt, and movies.

― ebbmarie, Saturday, 10 April 2004 04:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I am going to go and have my wisdom teeth taken out , sat.17 at 8:30am i think i will be ok i hope . Just as i said the one tooth on the bottom has a small curve on it. and the other ones are all broke though the gums none are impacted but one also has a cavity bad. i really enjoy the chating about this .Lizzy

― Lizzy, Friday, 16 April 2004 02:30 (twenty-one years ago)

well hi it's me again i just thought i would write to you and tell you that i did it and i wasn't all that bad. I did not have all the swelling , mostly pain after and the eating sucks. But all in all it was ok. This is the 3rd day and i anm still eating soup and jello and ice cream. My doctor gave me some awesome drugs so goo i had two blackouts , but i am now only taking half of a pill. Well thanks so much for the pep talks , I'm Glad i found this web page . :) Lizzy-B

― Lizzy (Lizzy), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 02:47 (twenty-one years ago)

two months pass...

THEY'RE COMING OUT ON FRIDAY OMG SO SCARED!!!!!

― teeny (teeny), Monday, 19 July 2004 20:52 (twenty-one years ago)

HELLO!!! SCARED HERE!!!

― teeny (teeny), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 09:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, I hope it all goes well. My wisdom teeth ache from time to time, and I guess they should be removed at some point, but I haven't even had the guts to mention this to the dentist.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 09:22 (twenty-one years ago)

THEY'RE COMING OUT ON FRIDAY

YOU BETTER GET THE PARTY STARTED!

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 09:23 (twenty-one years ago)

one of them is just a little infected and they gave me an antibiotic and some weird mouthwash that is now making everything taste weird, yuck. I feel bad that mr teeny has to deal with this like five days before the bar exam but my health insurance runs out in two weeks and the dentist said I should get it taken care of ASAP. :(

― teeny (teeny), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 09:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Aww teeny, hope all goes well! Are you in your new appartment yet?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 10:55 (twenty-one years ago)

aw i hope it goes well too teeny, once they're out we can get the party started.

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 10:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Woo!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 11:07 (twenty-one years ago)

got em out when I wuz 21
had 7 (!!!!!!!) teeth removed at once
4 wisdoms & 3 others to alleviate overcrowding

like everyone else I was most afraid of being 'put under'
so I wrote down some stuff to make sure if I could remember
check that my mind wasn't wiped blank
no worries...
(I think)
since then I've been under twice more
and my teeth are relatively straight
(so people can't tell I'm from the UK...ha ha)

― Paul (scifisoul), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 11:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I woke up from my operation bawling, in rather severe pain, and completely conscious of the latter half of the operation.

― j e r e m y (x Jeremy), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 11:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Teeny prob doesn't want to hear that!!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 11:26 (twenty-one years ago)

...but my mom was there and drove me home and made me soup.

― j e r e m y (x Jeremy), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 11:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Awww, still!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 11:31 (twenty-one years ago)

okay I'm less freaked out than I was yesterday, partly because if I freak out, my mom and boyfriend will totally spaz out.

― teeny (teeny), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 11:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Aww Teeny, it's not tii bad. It's going to ache a bit, but it has a worse rep than it deserves. Don't fret, stock up on hardcore painkillers, and you'll be fine.

I've got a wisdom tooth coming through now. I'm 30.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 12:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I think I said this above, but my extraction wasn't that bad until I let one of my teeth get infected like a week after the procedure. That was more painful and annoying than the actual teeth taking out part. So just keep 'em clean and don't start on solid foods too soon (which is what I did). As far as the procedure itself, the first 24 hours after are the worst as far as pain, so stay doped up. After that, my mouth was just tender, but it didn't really hurt that bad. I didn't get knocked out though, just local anaesthetic, which was weird because you can see everything that's going on.

― St. Nicholas (Nick A.), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I better get some good drugs.

― teeny (teeny), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 14:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Lady that should be your motto! :-)

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 14:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Mine just grew in a few years back, i had 4 teeth knocked out playing hockey so I had some room in there. I got sick as hell and my face was all bruised. It hurt. Best get them removed.

― Velveteen Bingo (Chris V), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 15:09 (twenty-one years ago)

i just had mine out a month ago and i am still getting food caught in a pocket. gross. i had to buy a water pik.

― cutty (mcutt), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 15:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I had mine taken out right after I graduated from high school. Hurt like a motherfucker for a few days, but they went by pretty quickly.

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 15:33 (twenty-one years ago)

If you get laughing gas, teeny, it's nearly FUN!

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 22:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Despite the fact that I only got the local anaesthetic, so I could totally sense what the dentist and his assistant were doing, my wisdom teeth extraction experience was really pleasant. My dentist was cool in that he made sure that plenty of numbing medicine was applied to the areas where he was going to do the anaesthetic injections and had me wait like twenty minutes for the local to kick in fully. And he gave me laughing gas, too, so even though I could feel pressure and resistance, I didn't care. It wasn't fun eating for about three days afterward, but after that I could eat without much complaint, though I was really paranoid about food getting stuck in those holes for about a good month and a half. And the Vicodin I was prescribed worked fairly well, though I think the salt water rinses were equally as soothing for me.

― Many Coloured Halo (Dee the Lurker), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 05:19 (twenty-one years ago)

But THE NOISE, Dee, THE NOISE!!!

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 12:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I had all four taken out at once, back in high school (I think). They put me under, and all I remember them asking is "are you sleepy yet?" I responded "no," and the next thing I know I was awake with cotton balls in the corners of my mouth. All done. No pain, just weird (and oddly fun). They gave me some codeine pills, but they gave me stomach cramps when I first took them, so instead I just took over the counter Advil. In a couple of days my sore mouth was fine.

In other words: don't worry about the procedure.

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 12:33 (twenty-one years ago)

what drugs should I request? nb I have no experience with painkillers.

― teeny (teeny), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 12:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I had Voltarol (in the UK), though any opiates should sort you out. Diamorphine ideally.

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 12:57 (twenty-one years ago)

AAAAAAAAAAAAA

― teeny (teeny), Friday, 23 July 2004 10:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Voltarol, wasn't he the dude out of Harry Potter? (geddit?)

― PinXor (Pinkpanther), Friday, 23 July 2004 10:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Good luck Teeny!

― PinXor (Pinkpanther), Friday, 23 July 2004 10:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Teeny, good luck! I'm sure it'll fine - pop back here (or Tittytwister) for sympathy :)

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 23 July 2004 10:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Teeny? You okay?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 24 July 2004 12:13 (twenty-one years ago)

:) wow dudes that could have not have been any more trouble-free. I was perfectly lucid half an hour after leaving surgery, pain and swelling are minimal. The pain pill they gave me is an ibuprofen/oxcycodone, I'm in so little pain that I can't really tell if it's making a big difference.

― teeny (teeny), Saturday, 24 July 2004 12:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I am flabbergasted.

― CeCe Peniston (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 24 July 2004 13:04 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't remember much about the post-experience except for that squirter thing and whimpering.

― CeCe Peniston (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 24 July 2004 13:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess I got off easy, yay! The last thing I remember is feeling a little spacey and saying, "Oh, it's kicking in, isn't it?" and they say "Yes, it is!" I think they were still rooting around in my mouth a bit when I started coming to but my memory is patchy, they walked me off into a recovery room and let me lie down for a few minutes, then brought mr teeny in to listen to the medication instructions with me (because I was still a little spacey) and then they gave me the bill and I gave them my credit card (glad I pay off the balance every month because I couldn't really grasp the concept of money at that point and had no idea how much it was) and then we were out. Mr teeny picked up my prescriptions while I waited in the car and periodically spat blood out the door, and then I just sat on the couch and changed my gauze all evening whilst reading the new yorker. No problems sleeping either.

― teeny (teeny), Saturday, 24 July 2004 13:15 (twenty-one years ago)

What painkillers did you get?

― j e r e m y (x Jeremy), Saturday, 24 July 2004 13:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Rah for Teeny and easy recovery! :-)

(Now admittedly, Teeny, I was a bit surprised when you were asking for more advice when this thread is already chock full of it! ;-))

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 24 July 2004 13:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I was just asking for sympathy!

― teeny (teeny), Saturday, 24 July 2004 13:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Aw.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 24 July 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

No problems sleeping either.

Did they tell you was better to sleep sitting up, that first night? (When I got mine out, twas exactly what I had to do.) You'll be spitting out for the next day or so, but the holes heal quick. (Advil is the best thing known to man, when those headaches come on.)

Wahey that it was so easy! Before your brain totally catches on, it may occasionally feel like there are still teeth back there.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Saturday, 24 July 2004 15:42 (twenty-one years ago)

fucking teeth can fuck off.

― cºzen (Cozen), Saturday, 24 July 2004 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

two months pass...

owwwwwww

― Cynthia Nixon Now More Than Ever (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 18 October 2004 10:05 (twenty years ago)

I had my wisdom teeth taken out yesterday. It was fine etc but I wonder now whether I am entitled to a day or two off sick, starting tomorrow. Too few stories above indicate how standard that would be.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 31 October 2004 23:50 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, take 2 days off, that seems fair!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Monday, 1 November 2004 11:40 (twenty years ago)

I had seven wisdom teeth removed under general. One had 3 roots and two tiny ones growing near my ear canals when they removed the upper ones. Had a face like a bulldog with no neck for 4 days and was black and yellow bruised. Codiene phosphate and Tylex got me through it though with a few spliffs (ahem)...

― Schwa! (Schwa!), Monday, 1 November 2004 13:25 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

my wisdom teeth have been growing in since july. well, just my lower right one so far. its been slowly making its way through gums and tonight was another breakthrough [no pun intended].

its hurting, a lot! :( :( :(

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Tuesday, 28 December 2004 04:59 (twenty years ago)

No, I'm afraid of psychopaths ripping bones out of my face!
-- Nick Southall (auspiciousfis...), October 18th, 2003.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTF? NJ, we've leapfrogged past the 19th century medically. Stop watching Little Shop of Horrors;>
-- Nichole Graham (britbab...), October 18th, 2003.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(or the Lisa Gets Braces episode of the Simpsons)
-- donut bitch (do...), October 18th, 2003.

Still one of my fave excelsior moments on ILE and this thread.

― donut christ (donut), Tuesday, 28 December 2004 05:35 (twenty years ago)

Maria, read through the thread, and you'll see that wisdom teeth removal is much better than the anticipation thereof. Just prepare for it, and go to a good oral surgeon, and you'll be fine.

― donut christ (donut), Tuesday, 28 December 2004 05:38 (twenty years ago)

although, i'd see a dentist first to get an initial diagnosis.. duh.

― donut christ (donut), Tuesday, 28 December 2004 05:39 (twenty years ago)

im not getting my teeth removed unless they have problems growing in. the last time i was at a dentist, i was told there was plenty of space for them to grow in without needing extraction. which is fine with me -- i can take the pain and its kind of fun playing with the flaps of gum in my mouth. its not like i have the cash or insurance to pay for the procedure, anyway.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Tuesday, 28 December 2004 15:03 (twenty years ago)

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