I totally get the temptation to just go under and wake up when it’s all over, but I actually lean the other way on sedation. For a lot of folks, local anesthesia with some laughing gas is enough—and it means you skip that groggy, out-of-it feeling after. I’ve seen people bounce back faster and feel less anxious about not being in control. Not saying sedation doesn’t have its place, especially if you’re super anxious or have a tough case, but I don’t always think it’s necessary for everyone.
On the food front, yeah, mashed potatoes get old fast. I’ve told people to mix it up with things like Greek yogurt, smoothies (no straws though—dry socket risk is real), or even soft scrambled eggs. Avocado was my go-to after mine came out. It’s wild how creative you get when chewing is off the table.
The swelling is a universal look—chipmunk chic—but pain really does surprise most people. The anticipation seems to be worse than the reality for a lot of patients. Sometimes I think we psych ourselves up for the worst because we’ve all heard horror stories from friends or online. In practice? Most folks are back to their routines within a week, maybe two if things are slow to heal.
Not to downplay anyone’s tough experience, but I’d say if you’re on the fence about sedation, talk it through with your dentist or oral surgeon first. Sometimes people want to be knocked out because they think the pain will be unbearable awake, but with good local numbing and some support, it can actually be pretty manageable. Just my two cents from seeing both sides of it over the years…
I’m actually in the middle of deciding this for myself and honestly, I’m torn. Part of me wants to be totally out because I get super anxious at the dentist, but hearing that local with laughing gas is enough for a lot of people is kinda reassuring. My friend did all four with just numbing and said it was weird but not painful, and she was eating mac & cheese like two days later. I’m just worried about freaking out mid-procedure... but maybe I’m overthinking it? The food ideas are clutch though—never thought about avocado.
Totally get where you’re coming from—dentist anxiety is so real. I was in the same boat last year and ended up going with local plus laughing gas. Honestly, it was more the anticipation that messed with me than the actual procedure. The numbing worked well, and the gas just made everything feel distant, if that makes sense? I did have some moments where my heart raced, but focusing on breathing helped. And yeah, soft foods are a game changer... avocado, mashed potatoes, even scrambled eggs were lifesavers for me. You might be surprised how manageable it is once you’re in the chair.
If I had to get all four wisdom teeth out at once, I’d probably go with IV sedation, just because I’m a huge wimp when it comes to dental stuff. I know a lot of people do fine with just local and laughing gas, but I really didn’t want to be aware of what was happening. The idea of hearing the crunching noises or feeling any pressure freaked me out way more than the thought of being groggy for a few hours after.
Recovery-wise, I was surprised by how much the swelling kicked in around day two. I looked like a chipmunk for a bit, but the pain wasn’t as awful as I expected. Sticking to ice packs, keeping my head elevated, and taking the pain meds on schedule made a big difference. One thing I wish someone had told me: don’t skip the salt water rinses (once your dentist says it’s okay). They really help keep things clean and speed up healing.
Food-wise, the soft stuff is definitely the way to go. I got so tired of pudding and applesauce by day three that mashed sweet potatoes felt like a gourmet meal. Also, pro tip—don’t use straws, even if you’re desperate for a smoothie. The suction can mess with healing and risk dry socket, which you really don’t want.
Anxiety-wise, it helped me to tell the staff up front that I was nervous. They were surprisingly understanding and checked in with me throughout. I also brought headphones and listened to a podcast during the prep and right after waking up, which distracted me from all the weird numbness.
Overall, getting all four out at once sounded brutal but ended up being manageable. If you can swing a couple days off work or school, definitely do it—resting up makes a world of difference.
- IV sedation is a solid choice if you’re anxious—honestly, the less I remember from dental surgery, the better. I’ve seen people try to tough it out with just local and regret it halfway through.
- Swelling peaking on day two is totally normal. Feels like your cheeks have their own zip code for a bit. Ice packs are your best friend, but don’t overdo it—20 minutes on, 20 off works well.
- Salt water rinses are underrated. I skipped them for a day after my extractions and immediately noticed more discomfort. Once your dentist clears you, stick with it even if you’re tired.
- Food gets old fast. By day four, I’d have traded my left sock for a burger. If you can handle it, scrambled eggs and oatmeal help mix things up.
- Skipping straws is huge. Dry socket is no joke—it’s one of those things you don’t want to learn about the hard way.
- Telling the staff you’re nervous? 100% recommend it. Most dental teams are used to nerves and will walk you through everything. Headphones are genius too—nothing like zoning out to a true crime podcast while someone’s working in your mouth.
- Rest is key. Don’t try to be a hero and go back to work early, unless you want to answer “What happened to your face?” fifty times a day.
All in all, getting all four out at once sounds rough but with some planning, it’s not as bad as people make it out to be.
