NO STRAWS NO STRAWS NO STRAWS NO STRAWS

The dentist will probably tell you everything you need to know, but after having spoken to someone who had 3 dry sockets due to using straws after removing her wisdom teeth, it feels like the most important point to drill in.

My partner had a lot of soylent, fruit/veg juice, soup, apple sauce after the procedure. Get some ice cream or a shake (WITH A SPOON) afterwards if you’re not nauseous - you deserve a treat. Apparently the weird ice from Sonic is really good when you get a tooth out, I’ve never had it lol. Good luck on your procedure, and don’t delay it!! Just get it over with so you never have to think about it again. You’re gonna be fine 💖

Not to add to your fears, but wisdom teeth surgery is also where a lot of people first interact with prescription pain medication. Depending on your situation and doctor, you can receive anything from higher strength ibuprofen or Tylenol to Percosets. Try to be mindful of how powerful pain medication is and if you can have someone you trust with you it’s even better. Overall, it’s not a very scary procedure and you’ll be fine :)

I recommend you don’t wait. I didn’t have mine removed until after they were impacted and my teeth began to shift. They were cut up before they could be removed. My only lasting side effect was from waiting too long. 20 years later I’m using Invisalign to straighten my teeth.

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I had the same concerns as well when I got mine removed.

So let’s be real about things. The procedure itself was the most uncomfortable one because it took a long time. There was no pain, just discomfort of someone working inside my mouth. I was given pain meds and easy-to-follow instructions. I had scrambled eggs and yogurt for a good week or two, which got boring because I didn’t prepare well. I followed my pain med instructions easily.

2 years after, and I have no issues. So, as long as you’re not an idiot and as long as you don’t deliberately fail to follow instructions, it’ll be alright. Do it, don’t put it off for longer.

Statistically you’re unlikely to have lasting issues as a result of getting them removed. It’s a very common outpatient procedure.

When you go in, they’ll likely give you nitrous oxide, which will make you relax a little, and they’ll let you sit and breathe it for a few minutes. I’d recommend bringing headphones since some nice music will help.
Then they’ll give you an IV that will make you not worry and likely barely remember what comes next. Basically a big dose of super valium.
Then they’ll give you some pain killers and local anesthetic and remove the teeth.

Your memory and orientation will start to come back in about an hour, by which time hopefully the person who transported you has gotten you home. You will not be able to care for yourself during the intervening time. You will be uncoordinated and of poor judgement.

When you get home it’s best to try to sleep until the meds that the dentist gave you wear off, or just watch TV. Take ibuprofen or Tylenol mostly, but an occasional opioid will help since there is some pain that the antiinflammatories don’t help with as much, although they take care of most of it.
Soft foods for a few days, and no straws.

All in all, you should be back to normal within two weeks, and you’ll get to feel nice and excited to eat something crunchy or chewy.

If you’ve had pain associated with your wisdom teeth, I’d recommend going forward as scheduled. The pain may have gone away temporarily, but it’ll come back.
I let mine go too long, and one of the wisdom teeth cracked open because of pressure on it from another tooth, which also damaged that tooth which was fortunately able to be repaired.
The pain from waiting for outstripped the discomfort of the procedure.