All right buckle in you poor bastards because I'm here to help you with a thing because nobody told me jack Shite about getting your teeth pulled and what to expect. I'm also gonna sprinkle in some tips for pain management for you <3
(Okay. First off, I'm pretty much going off of my own experience here but if you have any input or advice please do share!! We are here to help each other.)
Let's talk anesthesia. I had a very good time with it (stoner) and sometimes secretly wished they would have kept me doped up a bit longer. If you're getting anesthesia then you'll probably have to get through the injection part first. This was pretty painful for me with the addition that I'm scared of needles.
It will take longer than you think is necessary unless you've been blessed with someone who's really good at it
It will hurt. There is no way around this. However it is definitely more comparable to things that don't really hurt all that bad.
You might feel like doing some "self medicating" (drinking/drug use etc) to help calm your nerves before the surgery, don't do this. Anesthesia puts you in a bit of a trance but not always a sleep-like one. I was completely awake for the entire thing but I don't remember it. Any alcohol consumption or drug use might actually have the opposite effect and cause you to freak a little or make it seem more scary. My recommendation is to stop at least 2-3 days before the surgery.
Same thing goes for people with traumatic experiences, ptsd, anxiety and anything related. Ease yourself into the situation and remind yourself (even better if you have others to help with this) that you are safe. It will 100% help and I promise it's true and you'll be ok.
When you wake up you'll be really loopy and might say or do something stupid, but you'll also be really tired and hungry and thirsty and won't be in a silly goofy mood.
When the anesthesia fully wears off it can hurt like you're dying. You can bypass this by taking your pain meds when you're given the OK to drink things (usually 1 hour post surgery). Don't be like me and fall asleep and wake up 4. Hours. After the surgery with no medicine in the house and no pain relief. Ouch
Now let's talk swelling. My cheeks were swollen for a good 3-4 days after the surgery. Here's what you should know:
It will last anywhere from 3-5 days depending on the number of teeth you had pulled and how you take care of yourself.
It is nothing to be embarrassed about. You look like a cute chipmunk.
To help with swelling use an ice pack or something similar gently on your face. A good rule of thumb is 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. (Only do this for the first 2-3 days, then slowly introduce heat instead)
Try to avoid putting any pressure on the sides of your face as this could lead to irritation and further pain
You may struggle to open your mouth at first, this is normal and will go away within a few days.
As your cheeks get less swollen you may notice a bruise has taken it's place. That is also completely normal and will disappear, and is nothing to be embarrassed about.
I think just those two things there pretty much summarize the first 2 or 3 days post removal. Expect a lot of sitting and napping.
Now moving on to more annoying and painful topics. Let's talk about eating/drinking. Here's what to expect/ do's and dont's:
When it comes to drinking, stick to water and Gatorade (or something similar). You're going to be very dehydrated at first, so it's important to make sure you're getting your fluids.
Avoid drinking anything with too extreme of a temperature (hot/iced coffee, hot tea, etc. For the first few days. I highly recommend certain teas once you hit that 4 day mark after your surgery.)
Avoid acidic drinks, carbonated drinks, and alcohol.
There are some fruits you won't be able to eat because they're too acidic for your mouth.
No. Solid. Food. Please. Its what gave me dry socket and it's extremely painful and sensitive and I don't want that for you.
Opt for very soft foods or switch to a liquid diet. Things like mashed potatoes, apple sauce, pudding, etc are lifesavers.
Avoid spicy or heavily seasoned foods. I know it's gross and tastes like a bunch of nothing but it will irritate the wound. (However, I've found that a tiny bit of garlic can actually provide soothing benefits to your extractions and offer some pain relief.)
You will want solid food so bad. So. Bad. We must stay focused brothers.
I struggle a lot with this one because many foods that I can't have are a large part of my diet. That being said, it will get easier and easier to make the right choice when it comes to it.
Next is probably the most painful thing I've ever been through. I know I joke a lot but this literally isn't funny. I was like. In tears for 2 days because of this. Let's talk dry socket. Here's what may or may not happen:
Dry socket is a mother sexy time haver and can bestow itself upon you even if you do everything right. It literally just depends on the person and there's a few thing you can do to prevent it but don't be surprised if you get it.
Let's assume you did get it. At first you might deny having it for the sake of not thinking about having it. I did it too and I can recommend not doing this.
Drinking tea is a godsend. I highly recommend chamomile, dandelion root, or any anti inflammatory tea. Make sure it's hot tea too so you can hold the steam up to your face. I did this for a bit and couldn't feel anything for like. A good 10 minutes.
I've heard mixed results on this one (imo it just makes me want to clench my teeth which is a problem all on its own) but you can use the tea bags as gauze if your dealing with persistent pain. Just make sure there isn't any parts of the bag or ingredients in the bag that are rough or scratchy.
When it gets too painful to bear (for me this was right when I laid down at night and right when I woke up in the morning) get yourself some numbing gel. Don't be fooled by fancy packaging or anything, I've found that the cheap version does the same job. It will hurt extremely bad for a good 10 seconds, but then it will be nothing/a tingly sensation for the next 1-3 hours. (I don't recommend making this a habit if possible, you can overdose on the medication put in numbing gels if you're not careful.)
The pain might drain your mentality a bit and make it easy to panic about the pain. You might get overstimulated by it at some points. The best trick (for me) is to remain as calm as you can.
Crying will make it hurt worse but no judgement if a few tears slip.
If you can, contact your dentist if you think you have dry socket. I had to wait all weekend and a day in change to see him, and he fixed the issue in a few painless minutes. I'm currently laying here typing this and not feeling a thing. It's worth it.
Take. Your. Antibiotics. It will help prevent dry socket and other infections.
I think that's pretty much it that has its own Category, heres some misc stuff and other pain management tips:
The reason it'll probably hurt more right when you lay down to sleep is because of the blood rush your head gets as the body levels. If you can, keep your head elevated. It will make sleeping a far simpler battle.
Dry socket can cause insomnia, so be careful about your health. Insomnia leads to a plethora of other issues if ignored.
People using birth control and people who have had a tooth extraction before are more prone to dry socket.
Avoid using earbuds if you can, it can irritate the wound and cause headaches from hell.
Your dentist might decide to use a stitching technique that involves wrapping a bit of thread around your teeth. Don't be alarmed, it's supposed to be there. It might bother you for a few days but it comes out eventually on its own or removed by the dentist.
If you get frequent headaches from this like I did, try to stay in dark or shaded areas and make sure to get some quiet.
Stay away from tooth brushing for the first 2-3 days. Your mouth will be hurting and you don't want to irritate it. Instead, try a warm water rinse. It soothes pain and drains out anything stuck in your mouth.
Start brushing your teeth without toothpaste. Get used to the amount of gentleness you need and go slow. When you're ready, use a gentle toothpaste with no strong flavors.
Salt water rinses also help some, but they can also cause headaches.
Don't spit!!!! Spitting can disrupt the blood clot and the healing process. Instead, gently tilt your head side to side, lean over the sink, and open your mouth.
Other facial expressions to avoid for a bit include kissing faces, sucking on a straw, slurping, grinning too hard, and clenching your teeth.
I think that's everything!! Thanks for the read and good luck if you're getting a tooth pulled soon.
