IV sedation definitely takes the edge off, but I’ll admit I was one of those “I’ll be fine with local” people for my own wisdom teeth. Regretted it about halfway through the second extraction—my jaw felt like it was auditioning for a horror movie. In hindsight, IV would’ve made the whole thing less of a fever dream.
Swelling is no joke either. I remember waking up on day two and barely recognizing myself in the mirror... ice packs were glued to my face for days. The salt water rinses, though, I kind of underestimated at first—skipped a couple and paid for it with extra soreness.
Curious if anyone’s tried using a water flosser (on low, obviously) post-extraction? My dentist said no way, but I’ve heard mixed things. Also, did anyone else get weird cravings for crunchy food even though you know you can’t have it? By day three, all I wanted was chips, which is basically dental sabotage.
Getting all four out at once was a wild ride for me—IV sedation was 100% worth it. I tried to tough it out with just local for another dental thing once, but honestly, wisdom teeth are a different beast. Swelling had me looking like a chipmunk with attitude for days. As for water flossers, my oral surgeon was super strict: no way until everything closed up. I get the crunchy cravings though—by day three, mashed potatoes started tasting like cardboard and all I wanted was pretzels. Hang in there; it gets better, even if it feels endless at first.
I know IV sedation gets a lot of love, but honestly, I managed with just local for all four out at once. Not gonna lie, it was rough for the first hour or so, but after that, the pain was more annoying than unbearable. The swelling is no joke though—
Same here. I did ice packs and slept propped up on pillows, which seemed to help a bit.Swelling had me looking like a chipmunk with attitude for days.
About water flossers, my dentist was okay with gentle rinsing after 24 hours, but no pressure stuff for at least a week. I think it depends on how the surgery goes and how you heal. As for food, I actually started to crave scrambled eggs after day two—mashed potatoes got old fast. Everyone’s recovery is a little different, but it does get better. Just takes some patience (and maybe a lot of pudding).
Getting all four out at once is definitely a challenge, but I’ve seen patients do fine with just local if they’re prepared for the noise and pressure. Swelling’s almost inevitable—ice packs and elevation help, but you’ll still look puffy for a while. I always tell people to skip water flossers until everything’s closed up, just to avoid dry socket. Pureed soups and yogurt saved me; I couldn’t look at mashed potatoes after day three. Recovery’s not fun, but it’s manageable if you stick to the basics.
Swelling’s almost inevitable—ice packs and elevation help, but you’ll still look puffy for a while.
- I’ve heard some people swear by pineapple juice to help with swelling. Not sure if it’s a myth, but I’d probably give it a shot.
- Honestly, I’d try to get general anesthesia. The idea of being awake for all four kinda freaks me out.
- Pureed soups sound good, but I think I’d get tired of yogurt pretty fast...maybe smoothies with protein powder?