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Original poster

Wisdom tooth extraction experiences

35 replies

toastofthetown · 21/05/2022 13:22

If you've had you wisdom teeth extracted, what was it like? I've just had a call asking if I'm free tomorrow for my long awaited appointment, and now I'm feeling very nervous. I have two impacted teeth at the bottom, and two at the top, which are growing so far outwards I can't reach them with a toothbrush.

OP posts:

letmeeatcrisps · 21/05/2022 13:25

feels a bit traumatic on day one, aches for about a week But manageable with painkillers. If you’ve been trying to lose weight it’ll def help with that ! Mine was completely healed quite quickly I think, maybe a month later everything was fine ?

Startuplife · 21/05/2022 13:28

Honestly it was no more traumatic than a filling. I’m wondering if practice has moved on recently because when I was about to get mine done I heard all sorts of horror stories.

Mainly it’s just very boring because you have to keep your mouth open for so long. I had mine done at 5pm, was eating dinner at an airport hotel at 8pm and flew to Greece at 7am the next morning. I think I took a paracetamol a few hours after it but I genuinely had zero pain.

Startuplife · 21/05/2022 13:30

I will also say that I had mine done by a root canal specialist who literally only does root canals so he was probably a lot more practiced at them than your average dentist but honestly you have nothing to worry about.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health

Pixiedust1234 · 21/05/2022 13:35

is it in hospital with ga? I'm asking bc my dh has had two removed at the dentist with normal local anaesthetic .

I had all four out in hospital with ga. Accept you won't be able to open your mouth to fit a fork with food on, nor chew, for approx a week. So scrambled eggs, weetabix, soup, ice cream, jelly etc. No brushing of teeth bc the toothbrush won't fit so gargle/swoosh with salty water. Mouthwashes can sting like buggery as can fruit juices. Trust me on that.

If you can't take painkillers then get some calpol in, its better than nothing. Or dissolvable aspirin.

Accept it won't be right for at least a month but you will see improvements daily after the first week.

TerrifiedandWorried · 21/05/2022 13:37

@Startuplife OP is having 4 wisdom teeth extracted not a root canal

Startuplife · 21/05/2022 13:38

Aargh sorry OP for some reason I thought you were having a root canal. That’ll teach me trying to multi task. I’m afraid I can’t help with wisdom teeth but hope it goes well for you.

BDeyes · 21/05/2022 13:38

I have got 1 impacted bottom wisdom tooth which I was due to have removed about 15 years ago but i came over all nervous and panicked as I have a fear of having teeth removed so I didn't go ahead with it. the tooth did come through a while later at an angle but it has never once bothered me or been a problem.Im glad I didn't have it removed to be honest. New Dentist never mentions it needing to be removed now as it isn't causing any problems.

HarrietSchulenberg · 21/05/2022 13:40

Had 2 out, both impacted, both came out after a bit of a struggle on the dentist's part and a lot of unsettling creaking noises. Was well numbed for the extractions so felt nothing more than a tugging sensation but both ached a bit afterwards.

ChaToilLeam · 21/05/2022 13:42

I’m extremely phobic and had to have my top ones taken out as they were impacted. (I don’t have bottom wisdom teeth, thankfully.) First one done as an emergency as badly infected, with local anaesthetic, I was terrified but it was really over very quickly and painless once the Novocain started working. A little sore for a couple of days but nothing awful. With the second one they provided sedation and it was out in one minute, no kidding! Again, a little sore for a couple of days, normal painkillers did the trick. I found kind, competent dentists and it was so much less scary than I’d imagined, the pain of the infected tooth was terrible and miles, miles worse than the quick extraction.

Natsku · 21/05/2022 13:47

I've had 3 out, one was impacted but honestly that was the easiest one to take out, along with the other top one. Painful for about a week after but manageable with codeine. My bottom one was difficult, wouldn't come out so the dentist had to crack it into pieces in my jaw which was unpleasant but not painful. Got an infected socket that time though and special mouthwash really helped so be sure to go back to the dentist if pain increases after a couple of days rather then decreases.

StrawberryPot · 21/05/2022 13:58

@toastofthetown - well since you ask...

I had my bottom right impacted wisdom tooth out in February. Never given me any problem for decades but I started getting infections in it and apparently it was moving and starting to compromise the molar next to it.
I had it done under local anaesthetic in hospital. They were very particular about making sure I was completely numbed up before starting. They cut the gum to get at the tooth which they then cut into sections to extract. They then drilled into the bone to try and get roots out (didn't manage to get them all). I was in the chair for over an hour and the only pain I felt was in my cheekbone muscle from the strain of keeping my mouth open for so long. They did put a block in the other side of my mouth to help take the strain.
They put stitches in the gum and left a small hole for drainage.
It was very painful for the next few days but manageable with painkillers. For about a week I struggled to open my mouth very much because my cheek muscle was so sore and my jaw was swollen and tender. Also developed a spectacular bruise which gradually spread down my neck and a really nasty taste in my mouth.
The hole still hasn't quite filled in properly - but this may have been delayed by the piece of tooth/root that eventually worked its way to the surface!
I was meant to have a hospital check up 4 weeks after the extraction but am only getting seen on Monday (and only then because they had a cancellation).
I hope that's not too much detail for you. I will say that I am really really pleased I had it done.

20viona · 21/05/2022 14:08

I'm a dental nurse in a hospital we do this every day. Uppers pop out dead easy 9.5/10 times. Lowers even when impacted can be very quick and simple. Take painkillers in advance before apt and rest for a few days after. All depends on a good surgeon mind you!

Original poster

toastofthetown · 21/05/2022 14:09

Thanks everyone. I probably should have said they'd only be doing two out at a time and it will be local anaesthetic. I'll definitely make sure to ask about painkillers tomorrow. It's one of those things where I need to have it done and I'll be glad when it is, but now I have short notice date I'm worried. It's not at the point where it's urgent yet, fortunately and I'll be glad not to have it hanging over me. Hopefully it won't be too complex, as I've been referred to a specialist dental clinic rather than the hospital (unlike DH who is four hospital appointments in and no closer to having his troublesome wisdom teeth extracted!). I have some Ready Brek and soup in, in case I'm not up to chewing much.

OP posts:

cadburyegg · 21/05/2022 14:12

I had one of mine extracted under local anaesthetic about 15 months ago. It was pretty painful for a week so stock up on painkillers. I wfh but took the week off as it bled quite a lot. The actual extraction was very straightforward (upper tooth, not impacted, just sticking out at a weird angle)

Original poster

toastofthetown · 21/05/2022 14:19

Which painkillers have people found most effective? I usually have paracetamol and ibuprofen in.

OP posts:

Bpdqueen · 21/05/2022 14:20

It's not pleasant and you will feel pretty sorry for yourself for a few days but it will be OK 🥰

ParkheadParadise · 21/05/2022 14:21

I had a top wisdom tooth removed last month. I was really nervous and scared. It was over in minutes. Took painkillers and used salt water rinses.
Going back next month to get my bottom wisdom tooth which is impacted removed.
I did lose weight so hoping to lose more before my holiday 😂

FlipFlops4Me · 21/05/2022 14:26

I had one done at the dentist years ago and tbh hardly noticed it at all. Went straight back to work from the appointment and was fine.

Next one was done in hospital as it was growing sideways and was a complicated extraction. This extraction followed 2 abscesses and 14 weeks of continual antibiotics and one bout of lockjaw due to a particularly hideous abscess. As I said, the extraction was a doddle and if necessary I'd have another done with no worries. All I had or needed was paracetemol.

stormelf · 21/05/2022 14:54

I had an impacted wisdom tooth and the tooth next to it removed by a private dentist/surgeon last summer. I was 25 weeks pregnant at the time. It was okay, painful but manageable. I was glad when it was over as baby was kicking like mad and becoming distressed but other than that it went very smoothly. I was worried about the pain after but only needed two days of paracetamol and then was fine with the dull ache

KittenKong · 21/05/2022 14:58

If they are impacted won’t they need to take them out in hospital? Mine were all sideways so I had them all out at the same time under general anaesthetic.

this was absolutely fine for me - I couldn’t quite open my mouth fully for a little while tho.

Original poster

toastofthetown · 21/05/2022 15:01

KittenKong · 21/05/2022 14:58

If they are impacted won’t they need to take them out in hospital? Mine were all sideways so I had them all out at the same time under general anaesthetic.

this was absolutely fine for me - I couldn’t quite open my mouth fully for a little while tho.

That’s what I thought and my dentist referred me to the hospital, but the appointment has come through for this dental clinic instead. Maybe they just want to remove the top ones, or maybe they’ll see me and say actually you need the hospital anyway!

OP posts:

Blossomtoes · 21/05/2022 15:02

I’ve had two of mine out. I think the last one must have had very shallow roots because the wonderful, amazing dentist barely touched it and there it was gone. I’ve had a far worse time in the chair with fillings.

KittenKong · 21/05/2022 15:11

Maybe the clinic will refer you to the hospital? That’s what they did with me (my dentist taught at the dental hospital and did the operation).

DontCallMeBaby · 21/05/2022 15:54

I had all mine out the end of last year - top and bottom one side, the the others about six weeks later. The first were pretty nerve wracking as I’ve never had dental treatment more complicated than fillings, so didn’t really know what to expect. It was fine, the sound of the top one coming out was probably the worst.

Second batch I knew what to expect, so it was easier, although one tooth was trickier.

My key tip - start on the OTC painkillers well before the anaesthetic wears off. First time round I left it until my mouth started to hurt, of course it took a while to kick in and was pretty unpleasant.

Natsku · 21/05/2022 15:55

toastofthetown · 21/05/2022 14:19

Which painkillers have people found most effective? I usually have paracetamol and ibuprofen in.

Ibuprofen will likely help more than paracetamol but good to have both in so you can alternate or combine if its very painful. I can't take ibuprofen so got prescribed codeine instead (tramadol for the one that got infected) and they worked great too but obviously that's a last resort.

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