# What should I know about wisdom tooth removal as the caregiver? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 4, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691 "2017-11-04T18:10:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/41 "2017-11-10T04:06:04Z")
> [@justanothermike](#): > > @purplehearingaid - Whew, those wisdom teeth made it longer than most. Sorry you had to deal with it at that age. I hope your procedure and recovery goes well too. > > My wife will likely have to answer those questions. She goes in this Thursday for the consultation. The dentist told her it was time to get them out, and she’s had two weeks between the dentist and the consultation, so I have no clue how long it will take for them to actually schedule to get this done. I’ve seen it mentioned online that one should wear loose fitting comfortable clothes. My wife actually does have some jaw issues, not sure if they qualify as TMJ (I have battled TMJ and been to specialists), but we’re going to address that with them at the consultation. > > Best wishes on a speedy recovery! Thank you ! I am going next Monday and want to chicken out ! My wisdom teeth never bothered me and I just forgot about them until now . I have head trauma along with my TMJ so I am really worried about how I will feel afterward . Do you wear a mouth piece at night , I do and it helps a lot. I been putting a heating pad you put in the microwave on my face to help relax before I go in Monday . I hope this will with my TMJ. Only if I could get my dog to be my care taker ! Best wishes for your wife too. That good you’re going to address your wife jaw issues this is importance to know. UGH! I just read about the roots be well established ! CRAP My roots could be down to my feet by now ! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/42 "2017-11-10T04:54:59Z")
Mine sucked because the one was pushing on the tooth next to it, and caused that one to get infected. I had to have them out in two states – those two first, and then the other three the next time. Both times I was under conscious sedation, but I sort of dozed off anyways. I think I got Tylenol 3 the first time, and then Percocet the next. (Not gonna lie – both were pretty sweet) **purplehearingaid** , one thing I advise: put a towel on your pillow before you go to sleep. The last time I had oral surgery (I’ve had it more than I’d like to admit, sadly, due to the meds I’m on), I ended up drooling blood all over my pillow. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/43 "2017-11-10T14:51:07Z")
I had mine out when I was 18. I had general surgery, and recall leaving the dentist’s office, and going home with my dad. I used frozen peas or corn as an ice pack, which worked well, although I only did it for a few hours. I remember it bled a bit, and I used the the prescription once or twice the first day before switching to ibuprofen since the Tylenol 3 didn’t seem to do much. I later learned that there were opiates in the Tylenol 3, although it didn’t affect me in that way. A friend of mine did it the same day, and the pills left him loopy as hell. I went out with friends the next day, so it wasn’t too bad. I also don’t get any swelling which disappointed a friend of mine. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/44 "2017-11-10T16:41:08Z")
Not sure about a waterpik to clean out the sockets. The doctor should send her home with a curved plastic syringe specially designed for gently washing out the sockets. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/45 "2017-11-10T16:47:03Z")
Actually, my dentist told me NOT to “wash out the sockets” but to just stick to the salt-water swishing. But of course follow what instructions you are given. ---
**Author:** ![justanothermike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/46 "2017-11-10T20:27:04Z")
> [@awldune](#): > > Not sure about a waterpik to clean out the sockets. The doctor should send her home with a curved plastic syringe specially designed for gently washing out the sockets. Yeah, it was a friend that said something about the waterpik. My wife said that the people at the office said that they don’t give out the syringes because people use them too soon and don’t follow directions. The waterpik may be overkill, especially at first. They suggested just swishing around some salt water at a point, after clotting has a firm hold. I’ve never used a waterpik, it was a suggestion from a friend, but upon reading some reviews last night it appears that they aren’t necessarily very gentle. You’re probably right there. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/47 "2017-11-10T20:43:45Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Mine sucked because the one was pushing on the tooth next to it, and caused that one to get infected. I had to have them out in two states – those two first, and then the other three the next time. Both times I was under conscious sedation, but I sort of dozed off anyways. > > I think I got Tylenol 3 the first time, and then Percocet the next. (Not gonna lie – both were pretty sweet) > > **purplehearingaid** , one thing I advise: put a towel on your pillow before you go to sleep. The last time I had oral surgery (I’ve had it more than I’d like to admit, sadly, due to the meds I’m on), I ended up drooling blood all over my pillow. Thank you for the tip ! I hope I will be able to get some sleep , it getting closer to having this done . :eek: ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/48 "2017-11-14T15:01:25Z")
I had my teeth pulled out yesterday and was told to a warm wet washcloth on my face or hot water bottle , you may what to buy one if you don’t have one . It’s not messy as using a wet washcloth . ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/49 "2017-11-14T17:16:38Z")
…or you can put the “warm, wet washcloth” in a ziplock baggie… ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/50 "2017-11-14T17:27:21Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > …or you can put the “warm, wet washcloth” in a ziplock baggie… UGH ! :smack: Why didn’t you tell me this before I got all wet ? LOL! I am still feeling a little drugged up . My teeth came a lot easier than I thought they would so I had low trauma this time. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/51 "2017-11-14T18:04:26Z")
Yaay!!! ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691/52 "2017-11-17T16:00:35Z")
> [@purplehearingaid](#): > > UGH ! :smack: Please don’t smack yourself after oral surgery [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-know-about-wisdom-tooth-removal-as-the-caregiver/800691.md?page=2)