# I just got my (four) wisdom teeth pulled out.. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 7, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944 "2005-11-07T19:08:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/41 "2005-11-09T22:16:51Z")
_snuggles, gives you cold drinks, and runs back out_ ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/42 "2005-11-09T22:22:22Z")
> [@dare\_devil007\_](#): > > I got to miss school again today! Yeah, I couldn’t believe it when I read that you were back at school the day after you had your wisdom teeth out. > [@](#): > > I haven’t gone number 2 since Monday. That’s kind of bad, isn’t it? IANAD, not even close, and this is not medical advice. But I wouldn’t worry about it unless you’re hurting because of it (straining to pass stools, having cramps, that sort of thing). It could very well be due to the change in your diet, which sounds like it has been pretty major. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/43 "2005-11-09T22:29:12Z")
Ouch, **dare\_devil**! I had to have all four, all impacted removed at once. My braces had been removed for no more than a month when my teeth started shifting again because of those damned teeth. I was also knocked out. I distinctly remember counting the holes in the ceiling tiles as I went under. Woke up feeling like a poor femme version of Marlon Brando. By the following afternoon both of my eyes were swollen and blackened, and my cheeks looked like a hamster hoarding a years’ worth of food. It was bad. I lived on frozen yogurt and water for over a week. Lost 10 pounds which was okay. However, I ended up having to have my braces put back on for 6 months. Ugh. You have my sympathies, **d\_d**. Don’t push the semi-solids, and rinse with salt water a few times a day. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/44 "2005-11-09T22:44:09Z")
> [@Sierra Indigo](#): > > What is dry socket, and why can’t you drink from straws and oh my god I’m terrified they’re going to rip my mouth open to take my teeth out and I’ll never be able to eat food again… \ > > I shouldn’t come into threads like this before I’ve gone to see the dentist, should I? After they yank the tooth out it leaves a big hole where the tooth was and an exposed nerve. The best way for the hole to heal is to have a blood clot fill the hole or even better to have the hole stitched closed. Once the blot clot is in place the hole will slowly heal shut. If for some reason the blood clot falls out (or gets sucked out by using a straw to create a vacuum in your mouth) it can leave the hole open and the nerve exposed which I hear is very, very painful. ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/45 "2005-11-09T23:45:46Z")
> [@interface2x](#): > > I had one taken out while awake last summer and I had the same experience during the procedure as **ryobserver**. I think that dentist might have gotten C’s in his anesthetic courses, because that guy couldn’t numb to save his life. He had to give me a million shots and then when he went in for the kill, it felt like my entire body was hooked up to a current of electricity. I swear I was about to hit the ceiling. In fact, the experience was bad enough that I just stopped going to that guy. > > Now I have two wisdom teeth remaining, crumbling to pieces and I have to find a new guy (or woman, thank you) to get them out. In fact, I just decided yesterday that I have to get it done soon, regardless. I won’t put it off any longer. Lord, I wouldn’t have gone back to the first guy either. My guy was quite deft with the needle; I only had so many shots because he stuck me again every time I indicated I was starting to feel something. The only problems during the surgery were when I gagged (once) and when we interrupted the procedure because I really needed to pee. So it’s possible to do it under local without pain. Mind you, after your experience I wouldn’t blame you for demanding general next time, and I don’t think the dentist would either. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/46 "2005-11-10T01:23:32Z")
> [@dare\_devil007\_](#): > > I haven’t gone number 2 since Monday. That’s kind of bad, isn’t it? Speaking of, a friend of mine said she overheard another woman claiming to her friends that she hadn’t gone #2 in 28 days. Now THAT’S not healthy. ---
**Author:** ![dare\_devil007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@dare\_devil007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dare_devil007)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/47 "2005-11-10T21:01:12Z")
Woohoo! The swelling has gone down slightly, but I still can’t chew. Overall, my mouth still feels weird, but it doesn’t hurt anymore. So, yay! 🙂 This is about as much as I can smile in real life. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/48 "2005-11-11T18:34:29Z")
> [@interface2x](#): > > Speaking of, a friend of mine said she overheard another woman claiming to her friends that she hadn’t gone #2 in 28 days. Now THAT’S not healthy. I can’t believe how many people are full of crap these days. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/49 "2005-11-14T21:06:16Z")
> [@Honey](#): > > I can’t believe how many people are full of crap these days. Codeine will do that to you. Lay off the Vicodin and things will start moving. I have to have mine out soon. I’m an old hag, and I hear recovery can be harder. Oh joy. ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/50 "2005-11-15T01:45:29Z")
Seeing \*\*Cranky’\*\*s post reminded me–ALL opiates (codeine, Vicodin, morphine, whatever) are constipating; they slow down peristalsis in the intestines. Eating more fiber can make matters worse. The proper remedy, if you’re going to take opiates for more than a few days, is a stimulant laxative. Talk to the dentist (or your doctor) for more advice. The matter will resolve itself once you’re off the opiates. ---
**Author:** ![Giant\_Spongess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@Giant\_Spongess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giant_Spongess)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/51 "2005-11-15T02:18:58Z")
Stimulant laxative? A can of Coke usually works. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/52 "2005-11-15T04:47:18Z")
> [@Honey](#): > > I can’t believe how many people are full of crap these days. HEYO! ---
**Author:** ![dare\_devil007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@dare\_devil007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dare_devil007)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/53 "2005-11-15T05:24:40Z")
What in the world?! I didn’t realize this thread was still alive. Hehe. It’s hard to chew food… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944/54 "2005-11-15T14:12:52Z")
> [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](#): > > I have to have mine out soon. I’m an old hag, and I hear recovery can be harder. Oh joy. I’m an old hag, too and it was okay. I had mine out on a Monday, and was back at work on Wednesday. I only had two out, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-four-wisdom-teeth-pulled-out/329944.md?page=2)