Wisdom teeth removal

[Anonymous]

DC is EXTREMELY stressed about getting wisdom teeth removal done this summer. Has anyone gone through this with their kids? Any recommendations for keeping this process as stress-free as possible? What kind of anesthesia do you recommend?(local, general, or laughing gas were the options I think). We are very nervous. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Hi. My son had it done.

He had general. We paid extra for some numbing agent that is a non-opioid that lasts a few days. It doesn't alleviate the pain, but it cuts down on the need for opioids (it might not rule them out, but less is more with those).

Read the post-surgery wound care information carefully.

You can tell your kid that my child with 4 impacted teeth and a post-surgical infection was still able to fully enjoy a ski vacation that began about a week afterwards. The infection sucked, but he recovered really quickly once on antibiotics.

[Anonymous]

All 3 (!) of my kids had theirs out this year, with various degrees of impaction, pain tolerance and nervousness. All got general anesthesia. Other than grogginess and short term confusion, they were fine. Mild discomfort for a couple of days after and minimal swelling. I know we were fortunate but it really was no big deal. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi. My son had it done.

He had general. We paid extra for some numbing agent that is a non-opioid that lasts a few days. It doesn't alleviate the pain, but it cuts down on the need for opioids (it might not rule them out, but less is more with those).

Read the post-surgery wound care information carefully.

You can tell your kid that my child with 4 impacted teeth and a post-surgical infection was still able to fully enjoy a ski vacation that began about a week afterwards. The infection sucked, but he recovered really quickly once on antibiotics.

New poster. The PP is right -- pay close attention the aftercare information. Kids can get food into the pockets formed by the extraction and can end up with infections. You might have to help with the rinsing out process and some teens really hate having a parent help with that, but if it avoids infection....

The oral surgeon should go ahead and give you prescriptions in advance -- you should have those filled before the day of surgery, so you don't have to deal with getting out to pick up medications when you have kid at home who just had teeth pulled. Our doctor already gave us prescriptions and detailed instructions and the surgery isn't for several weeks.

Also go ahead and prep things like ice packs (you might be instructed to keep the jaws iced for the first day or more to reduce swelling). If your kid is nervous about the surgery, it might help for your kid to take part in things like getting the prescriptions ready, having the ice packs in the freezer, and making his list of what he wants to do to relax while he's recovering that first day or two--my DC has already made a list of what movies she wants to watch while hanging out on the couch. Let your DC pick out what he's going to eat and drink too (the doctor will tell you what liquidy things are allowed). Sometimes letting them help prep can give them a little more sense of control.

[Anonymous]

I did not fill the opioid prescription and was amazed that on a follow up visit the doctor was still pushing it. I said I would if it were really needed, but didn’t want to go that route, with all the issues possible, especially with a history of addictive behaviors in the family tree.

We had not planned enough for soft foods to eat.

[Anonymous]

My DS had his out a couple of days before Christmas. He was uncomfortable for about 24 hours - mostly from the bleeding. We followed the care instructions "to the T" and he had minimal swelling and minimal pain. I also made sure I had lots of soft foods for him to eat - mashed potatoes, pudding, soups, yogurt, eggs, oatmeal. By Christmas day (5 days post op) he was able to eat prime rib for dinner. He cut the meat into really small pieces so he didn't have to chew in the back of his mouth, but he was able to enjoy the dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did not fill the opioid prescription and was amazed that on a follow up visit the doctor was still pushing it. I said I would if it were really needed, but didn’t want to go that route, with all the issues possible, especially with a history of addictive behaviors in the family tree.

We had not planned enough for soft foods to eat.

We were also amazed about the opioids. With us it want the doctor, but the pharmacy filling it when we asked them not to. The prescription was for way too many, we thought. It is so cheap. Cost us $200 out of pocket for the numbing alternative.

[Anonymous]

Tylenol was good enough for pain relief for my kids. It is shocking to me that oral surgeons give an opiod script. Use ice packs on cheeks. To keep in place, tie a scarf from under their chin to over the head. This way, they can still use their gaming device And, lots of ice cream.

[Anonymous]

And no straws! The suction causes the healing skin to reopen causing mouths full of blood. I learned this the hard way...

[Anonymous]

I threw the opioid Rx in the trash. Not needed.

We did not do general anesthesia. They gave us the option but it’s really not necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tylenol was good enough for pain relief for my kids. It is shocking to me that oral surgeons give an opiod script. Use ice packs on cheeks. To keep in place, tie a scarf from under their chin to over the head. This way, they can still use their gaming device And, lots of ice cream.

pain is an individual thing - and how difficult the surgery is and how close the surgery comes to the nerves in the face is also individual. Just because one child manages with just tylenol doesn't mean OPs kid can. Mine most certainly would not have been able to. Also, the anti-inflamatory properties of ibuprophen (which is one of the reasons to take it) are absent from acetamenicin.

The scarf is a good idea, as is the waiving of all screen-time rules for the duration.

[Anonymous]

It was much less than I or my DS was expecting. We didn't do full anesthesia either - just the twlight. The whole thing took 10 minutes. My DS was great about the rinsing and following directions. He did all the anti-biotics required.

We also threw out the opiod prescription - sorry but my 17 year old can just take advil.

Totally fine and easy. Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

I threw the opioid Rx in the trash. Not needed.

We did not do general anesthesia. They gave us the option but it’s really not necessary.

So you and your child both had your wisdom team taken out at the same time? What a coincidence.

[Anonymous]

DS 16 just had all 4 teeth removed over spring break on a Thursday morning.

No complications, thank goodness. No swelling.

Procedure was over in < 15 min. Had laughing gas and twilight anesthesia.

Day 1:

Used the ice bags all day. Off /on 20-minute alternating.
Changed gauze in mouth much of morning.
Took 2 Motrin in the afternoon.
Only ate cold liquid-y food. Lots of homemade applesauce. Yogurt. And a Frosty
No straws for a week.

Day 2: 2 Motrin in morning. That was it for pain. (Unused script for an opiod.)
Liquid and soft food, though hot now allowed. More applesauce, soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt.

Other:
Filled and used 4 days of antibiotics.
Use a prescription mouth rinse a few days.
No granola or chips or similar crunchy food for 2 weeks.

Clean post-op check out a week later.

Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

Our DC had a good week to recover and needed it all. It depends on how the teeth are set, the size of their mouth, if the teeth break up and needed to be pulled out in pieces...…. We used general and started on the pain meds immediately.