Let's just say that I was not excited when I found out I had to get my wisdom teeth removed...
​
I don't like procedures dealing with my mouth (and I have a funny feeling neither do you - am I right?). I had so many questions, I was nervous, scared, anxious, you name it. I did a lot of research before hand and prepped as much as possible but still didn't know exactly what to expect until I got there on the morning of the surgery.
My guess is that I'm not the only one who's felt/will feel these things so I made an effort to document my questions, experience, and some recipes for you that helped me through my recovery. I hope this helps!
...
FAQs​
Should I get all of my wisdom teeth out at the same time or 1 at a time?
I chose to get all 4 of mine out at the same time. It's totally up to what you and your oral surgeon decide - personally, I just wanted to get it done!
​
Should I do local anesthetic or go under?
This is another one you're gonna want to talk to your surgeon about. Personally, I did not want to remember anything about the surgery so I opted to be put under. I was definitely nervous about it - I'd never been put under before - but overall, it was a great experience (best sleep EVER)!
​
How long does the procedure take?
It depends on a few different things - how many teeth you've got, whether or not you opt to be put under, if you have any impacted teeth, etc. My procedure only took about an hour. I got all 4 teeth removed, I was put under, and 2 of them were impacted.
​
Is it normal to be anxious before the surgery?
Of course! I was terrified. I thought about everything that could possibly go wrong and it kept me up most nights leading up to it. It's totally normal and I can assure you, you're not the only one feeling that way. Just focus on the positive and know that soon, it'll be over and you won't even remember feeling this way.
​
How long before the anesthesia wears off?
For me it took about an hour (just enough juice for the car ride home). I went to a surgeon an hour away so by the time I got home, it started to wear off (not fun). If you're going to be in a similar situation, have those drugs ready in the car. If you've only got a short ride home, you should be good to go. DO NOT WAIT for the anesthesia to completely wear off before you take something - I learned that the hard way so you don't have to...
​
How long does recovery take?
It's different for everyone. I was on the couch for a good 4-5 days before I could comfortably do things around the house. That first week was definitely a lot of relaxing, sleeping, and ICE ICE ICE. When I was doing my research, I read that you should ice for 20 mins and then off for a bit. My advice to you? Ice it NONSTOP. I fully credit my minimal swelling to continuous icing. After the first few days of ice, I started to alternate with heat - the heat helps in the healing process. Don't expect to brush your teeth for at least a few days (I know, ew), it'll most likely be about 10 days before you can eat normally again, and absolutely NO STRAWS. Using straws can lead to the dislodging of your blood clots and cause dry socket. That's when the bone and nerve are exposed and it can cause extreme pain (thankfully I didn't have to experience that). By the time you're all healed (about 1.5 months) you won't even remember what it was like to have those extra teeth.
​
Any other Tips?
Below I'll outline some of my favorite recipes and a few other things that helped make the experience a little more enjoyable...
​
FOOD
Just because you can't eat solid food, doesn't mean it can't be delicious (and nutritious)!
​
Mashed Potatoes
Russet Potatoes (peeled)
Garlic
Salt
Pepper
​
Greens and Mango Smoothie
Green Banana
Spinach
Power Greens
BPN Collagen Protein
Avocado
Mango Sorbet (I used ShopRite's brand "Bowl & Basket")
Apple Sauce
Honeycrisp Apples
Cinnamon
Water
Lemon Juice (just a squeeze)
​
SUPPLEMENTS
You'll going to be limited with how much you can eat so you want to make sure your body is still getting the nutrients it needs to recover.
​
Multivitamin >> For everything that your body needs to be successful
Turmeric >> It's a natural anti-inflammatory so it will help a lot in terms of swelling
...
​
I hope this helps you through your experience. Remember, you are NOT alone, you got this!
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Sending love always,
J.S.
​
​
***THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. Ask your Doctor for what course of action is right for you***
Comments