Question Wisdom Teeth: How long?

[BruceJohnJennerLawso]

Well, I had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled this afternoon (and a good nap from the anasthetic). However since the local freezing wore off around my jaw Ive been in, well, a bit of pain. . so, anyone know how long this should take to wear off?

 

[PhantomCruiser]

They didn't give you any hydrocodone? You should have at least gotten that...
Well regardless, tylenol should help a bit. At least to take the edge off. I'm sorry to say your going to be sore for a couple of days at least.

 

[mojoey]

Best advice from someone who has had several teeth pulled? Tylenol and warm water. NOTHING COLD, unless you want to feel like your head is exploding.

 

[Keatah]

Coupl'a swigs of Svedka and a good bike ride will fix you right up! Did for me..

 

[mojoey]

I'll guess he's pretty strung out on meds...a bike ride is the least helpful thing...don't need to add injury to even more hurt.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Agreed. I had a root canal yesterday; and as bad a s the lawn needs maintenance, I'm not about to climb on the mower.

Also, watch out for food particles getting caught in the (for lack of a better word) crater where your wisdom teeth were. They gave my daughter a syringe to clean out with after her's were extracted.

 

[Mattyv]

They just leave a hole there?

 

[insanity]

They just leave a hole there?

It has to scar over. You don't want to get food particles that can damage the stitches or the development of scar tissue.

It took me a good 8 days to really be good to go again.

---------- Post added at 10:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:01 AM ----------

Coupl'a swigs of Svedka and a good bike ride will fix you right up! Did for me..

He will no doubt be under some pain medication that is not to be mixed with alcohol. Also, it is against the law in most places to get drunk and operate a bicycle on the street. I think that is the worst possible advice I've read.

 

[Eccentrus]

8 days is about the average for a surgery wound to heal, just be sure to take the antibiotics (if any) and the anti-pain medication. The jaws can be pretty sensitive, just skip school or take a leave in work when it becomes unbearable, and remind yourself to not drive or take handling of any heavy machinery when under the effect of the anti-pain medications.

 

[clive bradbury]

Don't be such a baby! Swill with whisky and have a nice hot curry...

 

[Scav]

Don't be such a baby! Swill with whisky and have a nice hot curry...

That's supposed to be read with a very thick highland brogue, right?

FWIW, I think Keatah was joking, that's all.

 

[Polaris]

You'll be in pain for the first day or two. The worst for me was just after the surgery.

 

[wehaveaproblem]

I was lucky my wisdoms came through (relatively) straight, so I didn't need them pulled. BUT I have had multiple extractions, root canals and other none-dental surgery, so have too much experience with post-op pain.

I would give you 2 bits of advice:
Swilling/gargling with warm salt water (as much salt as will dissolve in a cup of warm water) works wonders for keeping mouth wounds clean of food bits and infection, and aids healing. I've had that recommended to me by more than one dentist.
Secondly, be careful which pain killers you choose, and consult your dentist first about them. You probably want to avoid anti-inflammatory killers (eg ibuprofen) as these may well hinder the scaring process and cause bleeding. Sometimes swelling is good.

But tbh, your best bet is probably to ask a professional, not a space sim forum!

 

[Quick_Nick]

I'll have to look into that ibuprofen thing! (it would otherwise be the first thing I reach for) I think I have wisdom teeth coming in very slowly. X-ray showed one angled against it's neighbor. I haven't felt or seen it.
I also have one little cavity to deal with but we lack the funds as my mom just had a lot done at the dentist.

 

[TMac3000]

How long? Don't know, really. Been a long time since I had teeth pulled.

 

[wehaveaproblem]

I'll have to look into that ibuprofen thing! (it would otherwise be the first thing I reach for)

Same here, it's normally my first port of call for painkillers. It's probably good for teething pain, as it may reduce inflammation, just not immediately post op.

That, said a qualified medical professional I am not!

 

[Mantis]

When I had mine done, the second/third days were the worst. I found that I had to sleep sitting up because my jaw would just pound while lying down. If they didn't give you any prescription painkillers....call the dentist and get some prescribed now....you will need them. Even plain old Tylenol 3s with codeine will help a lot.

 

[Linguofreak]

Also, watch out for food particles getting caught in the (for lack of a better word) crater where your wisdom teeth were. They gave my daughter a syringe to clean out with after her's were extracted.

At the same time, don't over-use the syringe. I did after my surgery and it ended up irritating the area, to the point where I ended up prolonging the post-surgical pain (and thus the time I was dosed up on painkillers, leading to an upset stomach).

 

[mojoey]

I can back up what WHAP said, some warm water will do wonders, just dont swallow it. Oh, and avoid walking/standing up fast. Blood will rush from your head to your body in...well...a heartbeat, and its not fun.

 

[FADEC]

What I don't understand is why they use "hard" anesthetics in the US, and Canada as well, obviously. Especially for children. When I watch videos of it, they always get nitrous oxide or something else which makes you drowsy. This is really unnecessary.

When I got my 4 wisdom teeth pulled out, I got nothing more than a local anesthesia (gingiva and tooth nerve). I think it was 2 shots per teeth and that's it. They pulled two on one side, and 3 weeks later the other two on the other side. I didn't feel anything. A few hours later, at home, when the anesthesia ceases, you take your painkiller (only a tablet) and that's it. The only unpleasant thing is the after-bleeding. The next day I already could eat almost normally, but just had to care. There were no "craters" since they put cotton sticks into it, which got pulled out a few weeks later. No pain, no insensibility. It only felt a little cold the first day (after they pulled out the cotton sticks).