After removing two of my wisdom teeth, I think it worth to share my experience. I didn’t know I need to go through so much for just removing two teeth. I regret I didn’t do enough research before making the decision. So let me write down what one will go through wisdom teeth removal, so that you can be prepared.
Before Extraction:
Do you really need extraction? I know, most doctors will suggest most people to do the wisdom teeth extraction. According to them, the wisdom teeth do nothing for them but attracts bacteria. That may be sure, but you’d better know what you will go though before making this decision. Of course, if your wisdom teeth are in a condition that must be removed (e.g. affecting the nearby teeth), do it the earlier the better.
The teeth extraction is usually done by a surgeon specialized in teeth extraction. Your dentist may refer you to one.
The surgeon may suggest you not to eat or drink anything 6 hours before the surgery. This is because he is planning to make you go through general anesthetic. If you have anything in your stomach, you may vomit when you are unconscious and may end up suffocated. Doctor will probably suggest general anesthetic other than local anesthetic if you are removing more than one tooth. If this is the case, you will prefer the make the appointment as early as possible, so that you don’t need to suffer from hunger for the whole day. (And remember you cannot eat good food even after your surgery).
During Extraction:
If you are going through general anesthetic, you will probably feel nothing during the surgery. Your doctor may not give you much anesthetic to knock you down. So you may still be conscious. But everything just happens like a dream (or a bad dream). You know what the doctor is doing, but you don’t feel anything, and you don’t remember much.
If you are going through local anesthetic, you will find that the injection of the anesthetic hurts! But after that, you will feel nothing. However, as you are completely conscious, you will know exactly every movement of your doctor. So people feel this is terrifying, but I wish I can feel what the doctor is doing in my mouth.
After Extraction:
If you take general anesthetic, wait for about half an hour for the anesthetic to wear off. You may feel dizzy for the following time of your day. So don’t plan to go back to work! You need rest! You’d better have someone to pick you up. But you can also take a cab. Your doctor will give you antibiotics and painkiller. Take them as suggested. Your doctor will also give you gauze to bit on when you find that you are bleeding. You may want to ask for more. For me, I use up the gauze the doctor gave me on my first day, so I had to buy some more myself on the second day.
When you get home:
Don’t lie down! You need to sit up, or lie with you head elevated. Keeping your head higher than your heart is essential for stopping bleeding. I guess this is the no.1 thing I did wrong, so I kept bleeding for more than two days.
Don’t ever think of smoke. Don’t use straw. The gesture of smoking or using sucking may damage your clog and result in dry socket (which will be lots of pain). And don’t spit or swallow.
Diet:
This was my food after surgery:
I have to eat soft food four days after surgery. But some people recover much faster. One of my friend said he can eat chicken one day after surgery.
All that I can eat are: yoga (better frozen), ice cream, smoothie/juice, soup, and congee.
I lost 4 pounds in three days!
I guess dental treatment is an efficient way to lose weight.
I am still recovering. And I am missing meat! Please wish me good luck!
