Wisdom Tooth Questions

[ChocolateGirl]

I just recently got knocked down with a fever, swollen glands and swelling in my gums. The gum on the bottom left side of my mouth is infected with a bacteria and is swollen. It sucks because it hurts to eat and brush. I went to the dentist today to get advice on how to treat it and to get an antibiotic perscription.

Well before I left, the oral surgeon also told me that I should make appointments take all 4 wisdom teeth out. But the only wisdom tooth that is infecting me is the bottom left side of my mouth. The other 3 corners of my mouth is fine. The surgery is scheduled for May 10th. Should I take all 4 wisdom teeth out or should I only take out the tooth that is bothering me (it seems like all the dentist want is money anyways)? In other words, should I get surgery on the wisdom teeth that are not hurting me?

Also everyone has a different story on their experiences with their wisdom teeth. Care to share or give some advice?

[Luvtino]

Yes, you should have them all taken out at once. I had a few that were impacted and a few that weren't hurting as well, but all were removed at the same time. It truly isn't half as bad as you think. You will be a little sore for a few days, but ice and some meds will help.

[NYYBombshell]

I just recently got knocked down with a fever, swollen glands and swelling in my gums. The gum on the bottom left side of my mouth is infected with a bacteria and is swollen. It sucks because it hurts to eat and brush. I went to the dentist today to get advice on how to treat it and to get an antibiotic perscription.

Well before I left, the oral surgeon also told me that I should make appointments take all 4 wisdom teeth out. But the only wisdom tooth that is infecting me is the bottom left side of my mouth. The other 3 corners of my mouth is fine. The surgery is scheduled for May 10th. Should I take all 4 wisdom teeth out or should I only take out the tooth that is bothering me (it seems like all the dentist want is money anyways)? In other words, should I get surgery on the wisdom teeth that are not hurting me?

Also everyone has a different story on their experiences with their wisdom teeth. Care to share or give some advice?

If x-rays show that the other 3 teeth are impacted or won't come in straight, the surgeon may want to remove them to prevent you from having pain later on when they do come out. Some doctors want to take all 4 out at once so you don't have to go back more than once each time a tooth comes out.

My bottom 2 wisdom teeth haven't come out yet, but I have a small lower jaw, so if they do, they'd be coming in right on the jaw and that's pain I don't want to know about, so I'm having them taken out anyway.

[WTrain44]

Painkkillers!

[ChocolateGirl]

NYBombshell
Well I have 2 appointments one for May 10th and the other for May 11th. So the plan is to take 2 out at a time. I am sure that the bottom left will be the first to come out followed by the bottom right on the samre day. Just thought surgery to my top gums were uneccessary. I spoken to my parents and who also think it is unneccessary. Thanks for the advice.

Luvtino
I had surgery done to remove 2 impacted teeth in the top part of my mouth. It had to be done before they put braces on me. I was stiched up and bleeding heavily non stop with a topuware (SP?) by my bedside for 2-3 days. I was bed ridden and couldn't drink nothing but liquids. But that was when I was 11 and I receovered within a week. But I don't know how long it will take to recover now that I am a 15 years older.

[Luvtino]

You should definitely tell your surgeon about your problem last time you had oral surgery. That is important for him to know.

If only one is impacted and the others aren't your recovery time should be relatively quick. I remember my jaw hurting a bit, but ice really helped. And they send ya home with some decent drugs to keep you confortable. I was 19 when I had them out. I remember snuggling on the couch for the day and laying low for a few after that.

[Casey at the Bat]

Get all four of then removed at the same time. Why wait for the others to hurt?

About a year ago, I had all four of mine removed (at age 30) because I would wake up in pain from my lower jaw. Doc wasn't even sure if it was the wisdom teeth that was causing it, but said they needed to be removed anyway, so it was a good start. I had them all removed, and the pain has been gone ever since then.

as a sidenote... two of my teeth were impacted, and the oral surgeon said that even though my insurance did not pay to have me put to sleep, it would be very uncomfortable, and suggested that I pay for it myself (which I did). I had my surgery in the morning, and was running around town watching hockey games by 8pm the same night.

[PettittesPrincess]

I'd get them all out at once, it's not that bad.

[yankeeschic12324]

get them all out at once...they might grow in and mess with the teeth you have now(wisdom teeth put a lot of pressure on teeth nearby since theyre trying to grow in)

[SubwayFanatic]

I had my wisdom teeth taken out while I was awake with just novacaine. I am not sure if I was really brave or totally foolish.

Suprisingly, it did not hurt that bad, although one of them was severely impacted and the dentists were yanking on that tooth for what seemed like 20 minutes.

The weird thing about getting your wisdom teeth pulled out is that the pain is not that bed when you first get home. I remember going home after the surgery and thinking, "Hmmm, this is not that bad." You end up feeling way, way worse the next few days as the novacaine wears off and the soreness sets in. You also may feel like crap because of all the drugs they give you to ease the pain.

But things get better. Your teeth are still quite sensitive for possibly even the next few weeks, but it's not nearly as painful as it initially was.

[ChocolateGirl]

You should definitely tell your surgeon about your problem last time you had oral surgery. That is important for him to know.

I was awake with four shots of novacaine to the root of my mouth. The doctor I remember was very nice telling me that I was a brave little girl to keep me calm. The surgery went well and the bleeding was expected. I went back a week or 2 later to take out the stiches which was a breeze (some of the stiches were coming out even before I went back to get it taken out).

Get all four of then removed at the same time. Why wait for the others to hurt?

About a year ago, I had all four of mine removed (at age 30) because I would wake up in pain from my lower jaw. Doc wasn't even sure if it was the wisdom teeth that was causing it, but said they needed to be removed anyway, so it was a good start. I had them all removed, and the pain has been gone ever since then.

as a sidenote... two of my teeth were impacted, and the oral surgeon said that even though my insurance did not pay to have me put to sleep, it would be very uncomfortable, and suggested that I pay for it myself (which I did). I had my surgery in the morning, and was running around town watching hockey games by 8pm the same night.

First of your pain tolerance must be really low. You are a brave man.

Secondly, I was told to take out 2 at a time. I was not told that taking out 4 teeth was an option. If it is, I will be sadated because I don't think I could take four shots of novacain in both the bottom gums and at the roof of the mouth.

[ChocolateGirl]

I had my wisdom teeth taken out while I was awake with just novacaine. I am not sure if I was really brave or totally foolish.

Suprisingly, it did not hurt that bad, although one of them was severely impacted and the dentists were yanking on that tooth for what seemed like 20 minutes.

The weird thing about getting your wisdom teeth pulled out is that the pain is not that bed when you first get home. I remember going home after the surgery and thinking, "Hmmm, this is not that bad." You end up feeling way, way worse the next few days as the novacaine wears off and the soreness sets in. You also may feel like crap because of all the drugs they give you to ease the pain.

But things get better. Your teeth are still quite sensitive for possibly even the next few weeks, but it's not nearly as painful as it initially was.

All 4 of my wisdom teeth is impacted which means that they might eventually hurt. But then I was told when I was younger that not everyone's wisdom teeth grows out. For some people it just stays within their gums. Well anyway, as of right now I can't chew and enjoy a good meal. This swelling just came out of nowwhere.

[Random]

I had all four removed when I was 17 or 18, and none were hurting me at the time. The x-rays showed there was a good chance they'd be impacted, so they just did it before it became a problem.

I don't know if I have any crazy stories about it, but I do still have the teeth somewhere in a little box in my house. The box is about the size of a box for a pin or a fancy golf marker, but it has four wisdom teeth in it.

My brother got his removed also, but his surgery was in CT (mine was in PA) and in CT the teeth are considered "medical waste" so they could not return them to him.

[Random]

P.S. After reading the other posts, I was completely knocked our for mine, I remember arriving at the office, and the next time I woke up I was in bed recuperating. They gave me some pills to just knock me out, and that was standard procedure at that office.

There was not much pain, but my cheeks did turn lots of interesting colors.

[jonnyc39]

I had a hellish wisdom teeth-pulling experience. Four of them, all impacted, missed a week of school back in 10th grade and was swollen and bruised. It sucks! Go hide!

[PalmerGA]

Well before I left, the oral surgeon also told me that I should make appointments take all 4 wisdom teeth out. But the only wisdom tooth that is infecting me is the bottom left side of my mouth. The other 3 corners of my mouth is fine.

I love ya, CG... and I wouldn't steer you wrong darlin'. Yank 'em all out and be done with it.

I had my lower right wisdom tooth pulled years ago. It was the only one giving me problems (similar to your problem). Since then, I have had some problems because of that one missing tooth.

First: the tooth above the one that was pulled has nothing to grind against so it is basically useless and also entends beyond (below) it's neighboring tooth. This causes lots of food (mostly meat) to get wedged into the extra space and I have to floss out the meat whenever I eat some.

Second: the none symetry of my jaw (because of the one missing tooth) has caused some alignment problems over the years, causing my jaw to "pop" sometimes when I chew. It is sometimes quite painful.

My advice is do it and be done with it, and avoid future potential problems such as I have experienced. Trust me.... a week of discomfort now will be well worth it to avoid years of discomfort later. Good luck.

[stephsamps]

I agree with Palmer. As someone who had to have three surgeries (almost 4) to take care of my wisdom teeth, its best to do it all at once.

When I had the first two done (in two operations), I wanted them to take the rest while they were in there. The kind doctor (who also removed a tumor from my jaw at the same time) thought it would be too much for me to handle taking the other two out. Well it took me about 7 years to go back for the other two. After the major surgery it was nothing, but I wished I didn't have to go back.

I am not sure if you are using insurance but check to see if they will cover having them all out at once. My insurance was complaining about having my remaining two come out at the same time but after my surgeon wrote a letter explaining the other procedures I had, they relented.

Also, go for the laughing gas, its kinda fun!

[Luvtino]

All 4 of my wisdom teeth is impacted which means that they might eventually hurt. But then I was told when I was younger that not everyone's wisdom teeth grows out. For some people it just stays within their gums. Well anyway, as of right now I can't chew and enjoy a good meal. This swelling just came out of nowwhere.

If they are all impacted then they all need to come out. And the pain and swelling does come on all at once. I remember being fine one day and then my jaw aching. I went to the dentist a day after that and had them yanked a day or two later. The oral surgeon should take them all out at once.

Try not to worry too much. I swear it isn't that bad.

[#1PaFan]

Get them all done now! Honest, it's not that bad. You'll get some decent meds, too.

[Sam2448]

Get them all out. I actually got my wisdom teeth pulled on St. Patrick's Day. Not exactly the way I envisioned spending my St. Patrick's Day but I just wanted to get it done with. It's not bad. The day you get the teeth pulled is great. Man laughing gas + novacaine + other painkillers = fun time. So when you actually get them removed it's kind of fun. Like you see them sticking huge tools into your mouth and blood is pouring everywhere, but it's all hilarious.

The next couple days, my teeth were pretty sore, but I was able to start brushing again 24 hours later and started eating solid food again 3 days later. It hurts a little, but ice and painkillers are your friend. Also, rinse your mouth at with saltwater. That might sound disgusting, but it helps your mouth heal much quicker and you'll feel better.

I also got all four of mine pulled at once. No big deal. But I never felt any pain from my wisdom teeth. Like I'd hear friends complaining about how their wisdom teeth hurt and they need to get them removed, but I never really felt any pain. I just went to the dentist for like a yearly checkup and he said I should get them out as soon as possible. So maybe it will be different for you since yours are infected. But it shouldn't be too bad.

[MassNYYfan]

Had mine out in October. Let's just say I'm glad I'll never have to go through THAT again. Had all 4 out, bottom 2 were "partially impacted". Basically the front halves were pushed thru but the backs were under the gum line and had no room to fit.

Got it done with the goofy gas and the procedure itself wasn't bad. Doc wound up slicing my gums it quite a bit to get the bottoms out and he was pulling like a MFer. Turning red and the whole bit. But like I said, goofy gas, and I started cheering him on at one point. When it started to come out though you could definitely feel the pressure and I can see how people get their jaws broken during this thing. Holy Hell.

He scheduled me for a 1/2 hour and it took 1.5 hours. I didn't even get my prescriptions before the novacaine wore off and I was in agony for about an hour.

Wound up missing a few days of work. Didn't eat anything remotely resembling a solid food for almost a week.

Later had bone fragments start punching thru my lower gum line that they had to yank and then polish down. Not fun, either.

I'm not sorry I did it. After the holes closed up, it was nice not to get food stuck back in there anymore (the partially impacted teeth left a gap that was a magnent before the surgery, and of course the gaping holes afterwards), or the pain and/or infections that resulted.

But, like I said, glad I don't have to go thru that again.

[Sam2448]

I realize I already said this, but it's all worth it for the laughing gas. Amazing experience. It actually made getting wisdom teeth pulled fun. God I sound like a drug addict. It took the doctor about 10 minutes to pull my teeth, not an hour and a half, so clearly I had an easier time than some of the other people here. I guess it differs person to person.

[PalmerGA]

You'll get some decent meds, too.

And Meds + =

[LilChief]

I had all 4 done in one sitting, and I was knocked out for it. I can't imagine having 2 done and then going back the next day when my mouth was already sore, to have the other 2 done. All at once is the easiest way to go. Talk to the Dr and tell him you'd rather have them all out at the same time. Unless he has a specific reason why that's not a good idea in your case, I say go for it.

[ChocolateGirl]

Well from what I read so far, I should have all four pulled in one day. Thanks for reassurring me that this could be an option. I made 2 different appointments in May and I might cancer the latter appointment.

Secondly, it sounds like ice, pain meds, and liquids will be my best friends for a week. The day before it would be wise to buy a bag of ice, some gauze pads, ensure, apple juice, a gallon of water, lol!! As for now, I already have both Advil and Motrim pills in my medicine cabinet. Can you drink cold milkshakes and hot soups? I wonder what feels better in your mouth at this time hot or cold liquids?

Thirdly, if I am sedated and knocked out, I wonder if they will use the laughing gas on me? Or is that only for people who want to choose to be awake during the surgery? What is the big deal about this gas? Does it really make you laugh?

[ChocolateGirl]

Had mine out in October. Let's just say I'm glad I'll never have to go through THAT again. Had all 4 out, bottom 2 were "partially impacted". Basically the front halves were pushed thru but the backs were under the gum line and had no room to fit.

That is basically what I am experiencing on 3 conners of my mouth. I wish no one has to go through this. I just don't understand if it is becoming absolutely unneccessary within our mouths then why aren't we evolving from growing wisdom teeth??

[stephsamps]

Secondly, it sounds like ice, pain meds, and liquids will be my best friends for a week. The day before it would be wise to buy a bag of ice, some gauze pads, ensure, apple juice, a gallon of water, lol!! As for now, I already have both Advil and Motrim pills in my medicine cabinet. Can you drink cold milkshakes and hot soups? I wonder what feels better in your mouth at this time hot or cold liquids?

Thirdly, if I am sedated and knocked out, I wonder if they will use the laughing gas on me? Or is that only for people who want to choose to be awake during the surgery? What is the big deal about this gas? Does it really make you laugh?

That all sounds like good advice. I think I did both hot and cold. When I got the last two out I was eating ok the next day. With the major surgery I enjoyed a lot of meat loaf and soup but wasn't on a strictly liquid diet or anything. You just have to be sure to rinse after eating to avoid the tooth holes.

No gas if you are knocked out. I didn't laugh on it, but it felt like you had several really strong drinks. I actually had to ask him to lower the gas because I was getting too "drunk." I am not very big though!

[Sam2448]

Well from what I read so far, I should have all four pulled in one day. Thanks for reassurring me that this could be an option. I made 2 different appointments in May and I might cancer the latter appointment.

Secondly, it sounds like ice, pain meds, and liquids will be my best friends for a week. The day before it would be wise to buy a bag of ice, some gauze pads, ensure, apple juice, a gallon of water, lol!! As for now, I already have both Advil and Motrim pills in my medicine cabinet. Can you drink cold milkshakes and hot soups? I wonder what feels better in your mouth at this time hot or cold liquids?

Thirdly, if I am sedated and knocked out, I wonder if they will use the laughing gas on me? Or is that only for people who want to choose to be awake during the surgery? What is the big deal about this gas? Does it really make you laugh?

Just don't make the milkshakes too cold. Teeth are sensitive to cold. So cold drinks are fine, but frozen drinks will probably make your teeth hurt more. But smoothies and milkshakes are what I lived off of.

Laughing gas does not knock you off, you are completely awake and concious under it. Like I said before, you see them actually pulling the teeth out, but at least I found it hilarious. Great stuff

[Casey at the Bat]

I was sedated when they pulled all four teeth out. I don't remember a thing. The dentist said it would feel like I was really, really, drunk, and that was my last feeling before I knocked out. I woke up when they were helping me to the recovery/waiting room.

Whatever you choose to eat or drink, whatever you do, DO NOT US A STRAW! Using a straw can cause the blood clots to be sucked up, creating a painful condition called dry sockets, which will necessitate another visit to the dentist to remedy it.

[BronxBaumer]

I had all four out at the same time. It worked out really well. I hate chicken strips the next day, it took an hour and a half, but I got those suckers down. Yummy.

i had dry sockets. It was kind of painful, but not really bad if you go to the doctor quickly after they develop.

[Luvtino]

If your teeth are impacted they will probably give you a local. You won't remember a thing.

Milkshakes and soup are both okay. I remember having a milkshake the day of my surgery and it went down fine.

[Casey at the Bat]

If your teeth are impacted they will probably give you a local. You won't remember a thing.

Don't you mean "general" instead of local? General is knocked out. Local is numbing just the area.

[Luvtino]

Don't you mean "general" instead of local? General is knocked out. Local is numbing just the area.

I only had local anesthesia. They said I asked questions a few times during the surgery, but I don't remember a thing. I remember being sleepy and then them shaking me a bit when it was all over. I had tons of cotton in my mouth.

This was about 15 years ago and my guess is they use either depending on the doc and the patient. I would think they try to avoid general when they can as it is harder to recover from, but some doctors and patients may require and/or need it.

[LDG]

I had all 4 out with general anesthesia. When I came to, I asked the oral surgeon when he was going to start and he said, "You're all done!" It was totally pain free, although I took a Percocet when it was over on his advice, fell asleep for 3 hours, woke up and never took another one. It was easy street for me. Hope you have an uneventful experience, too.

[ChocolateGirl]

Laughing gas does not knock you off, you are completely awake and concious under it. Like I said before, you see them actually pulling the teeth out, but at least I found it hilarious. Great stuff

You remind me of that character Steve Martin played from Little Shop of Horror. He was a crazy lunatic dentist who loved getting high off of laughing gas, LOL!!

[Dave Visbeck]

All gone at once after your infection clears up. Those teeth aren't necessary and will be difficult to take care of if you don't have them removed. Good luck with your decission but be assured that the dentist isn't looking for extra money.

[SheffRocks11]

You should probably go ahead and get all of them taken out. They could cause you problems later on...

When I got my wisdom teeth out, it wasn't really that big of a deal. My mouth was only sore for a day or two.

[ConnYanksFan]

I had my bottom ones out over the summer. It's not bad at all. Two days after I had them out I was able to eat a cheesesteak without pain.

Might as well get them all out at once. I'm not looking forward to having to get the top two out.

[Nick]

So how did it go?

Sorry to bump a really old thread, but I'm getting mine out on Thursday and I'm nervous I asked my oral surgeon if I'd be getting the IV to get knocked out, and he said no. Just some gas and the novacaine shots. I wish I didn't read about people getting their jaw broken during the procedure

[MassNYYfan]

At least you're getting the gas. That stuff will have you rooting the dude on while he's turning 3 shades of red trying to yank your teeth out of your head (at least my doctor was turning 3 shades of red).

Get your pain killer prescription filled IMMEDIATELY. If the novocaine wears off first, you will be sorry. My procedure wound up taking 1.5 hours instead of 30, and by the time I got home the novocaine had worn off and I was ready to shoot myself in the head to end the misery.

You'll definitely feel the pressure, though, and you'll see how people can get their jaws broken. That part sucks, goofy gas or not.

Good luck. I'm glad I finally had it done now, but it wasn't a pleasant experience at all. I'm envious of the people who were eating hamburgers 2 days later. I didn't eat anything solid for a week.

[Casey at the Bat]

So how did it go?

Sorry to bump a really old thread, but I'm getting mine out on Thursday and I'm nervous I asked my oral surgeon if I'd be getting the IV to get knocked out, and he said no. Just some gas and the novacaine shots. I wish I didn't read about people getting their jaw broken during the procedure

The gas should be more than enough. The gas pretty much knocked me out. Don't be nervous, it really isn't anything. It is well worth it.

[keg411]

I have a question -- if mine are impacted, does that mean they have to use general anethesia? Because I'm terrified of that -- I just have some scary fear that I'll have a reaction to the anethestic and won't wake up. My younger sister had local (just shots in the mouth) because she ate something without realizing she couldn't, but I don't know if hers were impacted or not.

Most likely I'm going to wait because I'm not in any pain and I'm not sure if my insurance covers it, but I could deal with being awake and them using gas without being knocked out because it freaks me out.

[Casey at the Bat]

Even if they are impacted, they don't have to knock you out. The kids at work (high school and younger) ALL get theirs pulled without being knocked out because the insurance doesn't pay for it. The dentist may suggest it to you, but you do not have to be knocked out.

[yanksrule69]

So how did it go?

Sorry to bump a really old thread, but I'm getting mine out on Thursday and I'm nervous I asked my oral surgeon if I'd be getting the IV to get knocked out, and he said no. Just some gas and the novacaine shots. I wish I didn't read about people getting their jaw broken during the procedure

I need to weigh in on this. I was the most scared person ever to get my wisdom teeth removed. I always said that I would wait until they were killing me to ge them removed because I was so scared and I did. One of them was infected so I had to get them out.

It''s not bad at all. The infected one was more hurtful than the procedure itself and aftermath. I had a bad headache and some swelling. That was about it.

If you are bleeding a good amount take tea bags, seep them, and put them where the gauze was and that will clear it up. That was one of my biggest problems.

Ice. Lots of ice helps afterward.

If you need any info/advice PM me. You can't possibly be more scared than I was. Good luck!

[jlw1980]

So how did it go?

Sorry to bump a really old thread, but I'm getting mine out on Thursday and I'm nervous I asked my oral surgeon if I'd be getting the IV to get knocked out, and he said no. Just some gas and the novacaine shots. I wish I didn't read about people getting their jaw broken during the procedure

You'll be fine. I got mine out when I was 15, before they erupted, because my orthodontist didn't want them to come in and mess up all the work he'd done with braces, etc, to straighten my teeth! I actually had FIVE wisdom teeth, not four, because there were two in the upper right side (I think...it was 11 years ago!). I was fine a couple days later. I don't even remember hurting much from it. They did knock me out. I was not awake at any time during the surgery.

[fredgmuggs]

I had my wisdom teeth sectioned out when I was about 22 and the oral surgeon mistakenly left a piece of tooth behind which caused an infection. What a nightmare, but I lived.

[obsessedyankeefan]

I had mine taken out in June. What a nightmare. Everything that could go wrong did. I was on Percocet for 4 days, Advil for a couple weeks after that. I got dry socket that hurt like hell.

The worst part though is now I have numbness and other nerve problems in my tongue, which is a rare side effect of this surgery. My oral surgeon said that this problem is usually temporary and will go away with time. Well, 2 months later, it hasn't gone away and now I'm scheduled to see a nerve specialist this month. I really hope he can do something for this, because I'd hate to think this is a long term problem.

Sorry for the negative rant. Just frustrated that a seemingly minor surgery turned into this.

[4bronxbombers]

Definitely stay on top of the pain medication. You get behind and you'll be miserable. I followed the instructions he gave me and it was fine. It definitely hurts after they're out but if you need them taken out you have to do it. The result will be much worse if you don't get it taken care of. I had some great drugs to help me through the pain.

[In Mo I Trust]

Get them all out, and make sure to ICE. I iced a half hour on, a half hour off, the entire afternoon/night after my morning surgery, and I had virtually no swelling. Granted, mine were not impacted at all, but ice is key.

[PinstripePride]

CG, strange you make this thread. I had the same exact issue about 2 years ago. Infection, went to the dentist, told me to get all 4 out even though only one was the problem. Got me an appointment with an oral surgeon and whatnot, but I blew it off. I'm still kickin'.