Wisdom Teeth

[natalie_1982]

In a few weeks I have a dentist appt because my wisdom teeth really hurt and are pushing my other back teeth out of line, so I'm guessing they will need to remove them. Can anyone tell me the process and how much it will hurt (my mouth and my pocket)?

[becks]

Don't know about cost as i got my dad to fork out but it is quite painful. Are you having it done under general or local anasthetic (sp?) and how many are you having taken out? I had three out last year and at the time it killed - couldn't eat loads cos of the stitches and lived on soup or creamy risotto. Having said that they give you some wicked painkillers which do help, ice packs on the face also help and also reduce the sweling as you can expect to have a hamster face. On the pain rating (bearing in mind i have never given birth), i'd give it a seven or eight. It only lasts about five days to a week so it's not horrendous for weeks or anything. I had it done privately - do you have dental insurance as they may pay for this - as it was great, like being in a hotel, even had breakfast (weetabix all soggy) brought in on a tray in my private room in the morning! Hope it goes well x

[dragonfly]

It might not be as bad as you think, i had my two top wisdom teeth taken out a few years back, as they were fully through they were taken out the same as any other tooth and apart from a wee bit of discomfort it wasnt that bad. good luck xx

[natalie_1982]

I don't know if they will only take the two or will take all four, I have a sneaking suspicion that all four will need to come out although only the bottom two are painful. I'm not sure if my dentist is NHS or private, I haven't been living in this area long and just registered with the first one I came across last week, and to be honest I'm not too bothered either way as long as it is done properly!

[Hgrove]

I had it done when I was in my early 20s and I do think the younger you are, the better. I could not tell you about the cost because the NHS destist charging structure was different then (nearly 20 years ago). I had top and bottom done on one side one week, and the other side I think a week later. I was swollen for over a week each time. It was done under local anaesthetic which was not painful, just uncomfortable because the dentist and his assistant were holding two tools each in my mouth. When it wore off, however, it became very, very painful. For some reason that I could not now begin to understand, I "forgot" to take painkillers. I think if you took lots of painkillers it would not be half as bad. It does not even begin to compare with childbirth.

[Oneeyedvic]

I had mine taken out about 8 years ago (whn I was 22). Mine was free as the dentist got me to go to the hospital and they did it there. The pain for me (local anaesthetic) was really the side of the MOUTH where the dentist was levering the teeth out. After 2-3 days it was okay - pain aroun 4-5 out of 10

[americangirl]

hi. i had all 4 of mine taken out last summer. it wasnt painful, just annoying. it cost me 1500 dollars. i had it done in one visit. just be careful brushing your teeth afterwards. the dentist will give you a little syringe to clean your spaces where your teeth were, USE WARM WATER! accidently used cold OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bohne]

Hi, I suppose everybody reacts to this differently. I remember a friend of mine looking llike a hamster for weeks. It also depends on if it is a top or bottom one and how the roots are growing. I had my first one taken out several years ago, and it was neither too painful nor a big problem afterwards. My second one was taken out two days before my wedding. I only did it, as my dentist promised me, the way the roots were, that it was 98% sure, that I would not have a problem afterwards. He was right. The other two I still have. We'll see about those later.

[FTVS]

I am with you on this Natalie having been to the dentist two weeks ago with a massive infection under one wisdom tooth. If you are in pain right now and can't open your mouth properly then probably you have an infection and that will have to be cleared up first. My dentist told me thet if i get two more infections in the next year then they will take them out and general or local is a matter decided upon when they look at the X-Rays. My dentist does extractions at �95 per tooth - this is SW London so high prices. Your dentist is odds on private - trying to get on an NHS dentist now is difficult. I had the left side out about 10 years ago and it was really painful for two day and i had to have time off work. I am NOT relishing the idea of going through it all again.

[dirtyharriet]

It depends on the person really and how badly the wisdon teeth are impacted etc. I had mine out 10 yrs ago and it was very painful, but I had stitches and got an infection after which was probably why. My teeth were very impacted and I had them out as I was always getting infections due to my gums swelling up, if I had had them out earlier it probably wouldn't have been so bad. My partner on the other hand had his out with very little pain. He said they just "popped out".

[Elfin]

If the dentist says they need to come out, he may send you to hospital to have them done under a general anaesthetic (if he suggests this say YES!!). I had all mine out a few years ago, at the hospital, and it didn't cost a penny as it was paid for by the NHS. I don't think it matters if the dentist is not NHS - the op itself is as a result of a referral and therefore shouldn't cost you. Hurrah for the NHS - a great British institution. The procedure is quick and, as you'll be asleep, painless too. There were 4 of us on the ward having wisdom teeth out. None of us had any complications. It's obviously a bit sore where the teeth were, and your cheeks/jaw can be a bit swollen, but other than that no problems. On the pain scale (and having given birth), it's a mere 2. Good luck natalie_1982!