Anyone had a wisdom tooth removed?

[Redcara]

I had an impacted wisdom tooth removed yesterday morning. Obviously was in pain once the anesthetic wore off. The pain seems to be manageable for a few hours and then increases and then reduces and the cycle continues. Is that normal?! I was expecting to be in less pain today but I'm not. I feel I'm in little more pain.

Also, I'm scared of getting a dry socket. I can't even see the area as I'm so swollen and it's painful to open my mouth wide so I can't even see whether a blood clot has formed.

Anyone had any experience of having a wisdom tooth removed. Any tips would be appreciated.

Upper or lower? My upper was fine no dry socket but I bruised like a bitch and because of where it was I has difficulty opening my mouth my lower wisdom tooth no bruises but dry socket galore

I did a lot of rinsing with warm salt water to try to prevent dry socket.

It's lower which is more prone to dry socket.

Yes I have started doing that today as advised but worried as the pain and swelling seems to be worse today.

I had both lowers and unfortunately the pain does get worse before it gets better. Night 2 was the worst and I felt I got hit by a bus with fever and flu symptoms. Was very worried about infection but it was better after 2 ibuprofen and I was taking preventative antibiotics as well. It's a significant op, especially if you had bone removed so your body sometimes goes haywire trying to repair the wound.

The swelling is worse on day 4 so be prepared for that. However things should steadily improve after the 4th day. If it gets worse or can't be helped at all with OTC painkillers then you need to go back. That's a red flag for dry socket or infection.

Edit: Just wanted to add that this is definitely different compared to the uppers. Those were only very painful the first day and improved steadily after that. Impacted lowers take much longer and peak in swelling at day 4

I had four 2 upper, 2 lower removed at the same time under local anaesthetic, admittedly in hospital; this was 1993. I can safely say it was the worst ordeal of my life...post op pain was indescribable.
I don't think they'd do it now...but no dry socket afterwards.
All the best OP. I think things have moved along a bit now.

@User5783457 so the pain is meant to be getting worse? That's made me feel better as I was worried that it was worse today. I really didn't think the recovery was going to be this long. I feel like someone has punched me in my jaw!

Omg! I can't imagine taking 4 out at once.
How long was your recovery?

I had all four out at once. I remember it being very painful for several days and not being able to open my mouth.

I just followed instructions given to me for after care. I did t get dry socket.

Yes, the pain goes all over the place the first few days but I found it always subsided somewhat with medication. The only red flag is if you cannot get any relief with OTC painkillers, then you need to go back.

I also had all mine taken out in one go (over 20 years ago). Three of them were fine, but one of the bottom ones was awful. They had to do a huge amount of digging around to get it all out (which is why they did it under general anaesthetic).

I lived on industrial strength painkillers for a few days, but didn’t get dry socket.

I just had all four taken out yesterday with a private dentist. Thought I was going in for one to be removed as it was giving me bother but they suggested I get all four out at once, even though the others weren’t bothering me at all. Not sure why I agreed to it - wasn’t thinking straight. Pain is pretty bad and am also terrified of getting dry socket. Had no idea how big an op it is, how long recovery takes etc. I was told I should be fine the next day (but think that was based on ‘most people’ being fine and most people don’t get 4 out all at once). Bottom two were impacted and one was horizontal so they had to remove bone and I have stitches (dissolvable). I thought it would be a day or two of soft food but apparently it can be weeks before you can eat normally again. Also, online seems to suggest no alcohol for 7-10 days (though NHS says 24 hours??) so can’t even have a glass of wine to numb the pain and help with the starvation. The way people refer to yoghurt and mashed potato as ‘food’ is hilarious - how is that supposed to be sufficient nutrition, particularly when taking pain meds? Really regret agreeing to this procedure now and absolutely dreading the next two weeks. Any positive stories of quicker recoveries very welcome - this is worse than my emergency c-section recovery! Good luck OP - hope your pain subsides soon

Yes me! I took two paracetamol then two hours later two ibuprofen then two hours late two paracetamol up to the maximum I could take. Don't bend over and some people gargle with salt water. I was terrified of a dry socket but I was okay. I hope you soon feel better

@Weallgotcrowns oh no. Did the dentist think the other 3 teeth would eventually might cause some trouble. I honestly didn't think the recovery would be such a drag too.

I know what you mean. I am finding the food the hardest. I miss food! I don't want to eat like a 6m old weaning baby! I'm starving! 😂 Hopefully it's only for a couple of weeks.

I had one out a couple of months ago.

the pain was something else. I really hadn’t expected it to be that bad.

i went to the pharmacists and bought cocodamol.

@Redcara yes, I think that was their logic/rationale but it wasn’t explained very clearly to me why the sudden need to take them all out now. I definitely would have preferred to at least do one side at a time so I could go back to eating on one side. Also, everything says ‘avoid the extraction site’ but my whole mouth is the extraction site! Haha I hear you re the 6 month old weaning baby - I currently have one and my mum told me to just eat what I’m giving him 😂

Probably about 10-12 days...dreadful bruising, and I lost three quarters of a stone as I couldn't eat anything other than soup and yoghurt...but take heart..it won't be that bad, I feel a bit bad, regaling my out of date, dreadful experience!
Lots of saline and Corsodyl mouthwash will help with potential dry socket ( and I never got that). I don't regret it, I had awful bouts of Parotitis ( salivary gland infections) which totally disappeared afterwards.
Keeping all fingers crossed for you. X

@User5783457 hey, it's been a week now and wondered how things are going with you. I hope the pain is much better and you can eat beyond babu food. I had my first piece of toast today, was amazing! 🤤