Wisdom teeth extraction-what to do before?

Kelso

Sorry I know ther are a load of wisdom teeth extraction threads but just wondering things you should do before to ease the pain etc afterwards? Having all 4 out on Thursday-doesn't sound like fun!

Thanks

CamillaRhodes

Hey Kelso,
Do you have to get all 4 out at once? I just my second set of 2 removed on Monday (got the first set, upper and lower on other side of head) a couple of months ago. If you only get 2 done, it means you can still eat on the other side. You'll see some posts saying it didn't hurt them much at all - while the extraction itself shouldn't hurt, my recovery has been pretty painful. Buy some ibuprofen painkillers beforehand (NOT aspirin which will thin your blood and prevent it clotting & thereby healing the wound) so you'll be ready for when the anaesthetic wears off - for me, the 20 mins or so between it wearing off and the painkillers kicking in was pretty excruciating. Also put a towel on your pillow the night after as you might bleed a bit (or a lot, as in my case).

Seriously, I would advise you to only get 2 done at a time (upper and lower) if at all possible. Having said all the above, my lower two were impacted so required more 'invasive' extraction, stitches etc. Maybe just regular removal isn't so painful.

toothfairy84

Are you having the extractions under general anaesthetic?. If not, I would definitely recommend having a huge meal before the extractions, because believe me, you'll be on lukewarm soup for a few days afterwards.
If they are being extracted under general anaesthesia, you wont be able to eat for a few hours prior, and may not be allowed take any painkillers etc. Ask the hospital for pre-op instructions if this is the case.

Big_G

toothfairy84 wrote: »

Are you having the extractions under general anaesthetic?. If not, I would definitely recommend having a huge meal before the extractions, because believe me, you'll be on lukewarm soup for a few days afterwards.
If they are being extracted under general anaesthesia, you wont be able to eat for a few hours prior, and may not be allowed take any painkillers etc. Ask the hospital for pre-op instructions if this is the case.

Can I recommend you ask your dentist? I would never advise someone having surgery to have 'a huge meal' beforehand. Eat well, but don't overeat.

As above for general anaesthetic.

As for post-op healing, everyone is different. I was eating properly after a day.

toothfairy84

Big G you really need to re-read my post properly. I asked was the person having general anaesthetic, and said IF NOT, have a huge meal beforehand. So I was not advising the person to eat before a general anaesthetic, because as everyone knows, patients are required to fast for a number of hours before undergoing general anaesthetic. However, if the patient is undergoing the extractions under local anaesthetic (which consists of a block injection and several infiltrations directly into the gum and palate), the patient may eat and drink normally before the procedure. I worked in the Oral Surgery Department of a hospital, and any patients coming in for extractions under local anaesthetic were advised to eat a big meal before coming in, as people undergoing extractions on an empty stomach are more inclined to feel faint, and they are also not able to eat solid foods for a number of hours post extraction.
So to re-iterate, if you are NOT having general anaesthetic, I would have a big meal before going in to keep my strength up. Remember you will be bleeding, so an empty stomach would not be a good idea.

Big_G

toothfairy84 wrote: »

Big G you really need to re-read my post properly. I asked was the person having general anaesthetic, and said IF NOT, have a huge meal beforehand. So I was not advising the person to eat before a general anaesthetic, because as everyone knows, patients are required to fast for a number of hours before undergoing general anaesthetic. However, if the patient is undergoing the extractions under local anaesthetic (which consists of a block injection and several infiltrations directly into the gum and palate), the patient may eat and drink normally before the procedure. I worked in the Oral Surgery Department of a hospital, and any patients coming in for extractions under local anaesthetic were advised to eat a big meal before coming in, as people undergoing extractions on an empty stomach are more inclined to feel faint, and they are also not able to eat solid foods for a number of hours post extraction.
So to re-iterate, if you are NOT having general anaesthetic, I would have a big meal before going in to keep my strength up. Remember you will be bleeding, so an empty stomach would not be a good idea.

You needn't tell me what's involved in wisdom teeth extractions, I'm a dentist. I wouldn't advise somebody to eat a huge meal before a possibly difficult/stressful surgery as it may affect the patients comfort level. I encourage the patient to eat to maintain healthy blood sugar levels prior to a local anaesthetic surgery. But not to overeat or to eat a "huge meal". Definitely fasting is the order of the day for general anaesthetic.

So to reiterate, the only issue I disagree with you on is the eating of a "huge" meal. Eat normally. Don't overdo it just because you may not be able to eat solid foods for a period of time after surgery.

gccorcaigh

Every dental issue thread I go into seems to have a big argument between Big G and Toothfairy. For the love of god, if you arent having general anaesthetic, have a fairly decent feed before your extractions. Obviously dont stuff yourself, that wouldnt be the best idea! Something healthy, something high-fibre which will sustain you for longer because you wont be able to eat solids for a while. Maybe something with brown bread or brown pasta. Nothing packed full of sugar or additives anyway.

coylemj

I had my bottom two wisdoms extracted a few years ago in one sitting, I bought some Neurofen in the chemist but decided to put up with the pain when the anasthetic wore off until about half an hour before going to bed on the basis that if I started to take the painkillers immediately after the extraction then I would still have a constant dull pain for several hours before going to bed and wouldn't be able to sleep. In other words, I wanted the painkillers to kick in just as I was hitting the pillow.

Fortunately the pain wasn't too bad and I was able to operate into the evening without taking any pills, then I popped two Neurofen 30 minutes before going to bed, I slept like a log and aside from avoiding hot and cold drinks the next day I was able to eat as normal.