question about wisdom teeth removal - Dental Health Message Board

csm · 12-28-2004, 09:08 AM

I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth taken out last Thursday (so I looked like a chipmunk for Christmas). They were all really impacted, so the oral surgeon had to take part of the bone away with all of them so he could remove them. He also said they had to "borrow part of my cheek" to replace some tissue to stitch me up. It is already Tuesday, and the only place that hurts is my lower left jaw (which wasnt even the reason I went to begin with..I went for the top ones, and they said the tissue was inflamed under my gums so they needed to take them all). My jaw had stopped hurting completely yesterday, and last night at around 4 am I woke up with pain again. I am taking pain killers, so it's not so bad. I just wondered how long pain lasts after having your wisdom teeth out. I am also having a problem opening my jaw more than about an inch...but the thing is, it would open on the right side if the left side would let it, if that makes sense. I am tempted to try and force it but I dont want to hurt myself even more. I wasnt able to take an antibiotic b/c I am allergic to pennicillan and sulfa drugs. They gave me Cleosin, but it broke me out in a rash. My doctor is seeing me again in the morning to see how I am healing since I am still having pain, I just wondered if you guys knew how long the pain should last from this. Thanks.

Carrie

BoingoBongo · 12-28-2004, 11:14 AM

I'd advise you not to force your mouth open. It'll probably be a few weeks before you're feeling back to normal. I don't think my wisdom teeth were as bad as yours when I had them out, and it still took a couple weeks to get back to normal.

And I'm sure your doctor told you, but just in case, stay away from really hard foods and candy and stuff for about 6 weeks.

lizzie2711 · 12-29-2004, 05:44 AM

When i had my wisdom teeth out, i had an excellent dentist, so the pain was minimal, however i still had jaw stiffness up to 2 weeks later, and i was in pain for a while, espcially eating and especially cold drinks and food. i would just ride it out. i know its bad but it will heal on its own, and if you can't really take pain killers then it probably feels a lot worse.

DO NOT FORCE YOUR MOUTH!!! This will heal in time and every day you will notice that you can open your mouth a little more, but just give it time. My dentist advised me to move my mouth as much as possible to help with loosening it up i.e. chewing food (nothing too tough) and talking, but not to push it too far.

Hope this helps, just get lots of rest.

csm · 12-30-2004, 08:20 AM

Thanks for your advice! I went back to my oral surgeon to have him check everything out, and everything is healing fine. He had to go ahead and take out the stitches, b/c the reason I woke up hurting again was that I had developed a canker sore at the site of the stitches from them rubbing against my cheek. (He said that it was a normal part of healing, although it sounds so gross!) Seriously, almost instantaneously after him taking those stitches out, the throbbing stopped. Now my jaws are just at a constant aching, but it is dull, and definately a lot better than the first couple days were (I think it is from the tightness since I cant stretch my jaw). The only thing I wish would hurry up is the jaw tightness. I tried to eat a burger last night and got so frustrated halfway through that I had to stop. My mouth wouldnt open wide enough to get even half of it in, and it hurt. I really hope that it only lasts a couple weeks like you guys' did!

Carrie

BoingoBongo · 12-30-2004, 05:47 PM

It's amazing the stuff you take for granted...like being able to eat!