How much does it hurt to get your wisdom teeth pulled?

Question

Someone told me that it only hurts during the actual removal and not after, but I always thought that it hurt for days after it was done.

Answer 1

That's interesting that they told you it only hurts during the actual removal, because when I had my wisdom teeth removed I was under anesthesia (and same with all the accounts I've heard).  Therefore I don't even remember the removal.  It did, however, hurt for a week after wards.  It was a constant ache and it hurt to open my jaw (but I did have painkillers to make it bearable).  

Answer 2

It depends on whether or not your wisdom's are impacted.  Mine were and the Dentist almost broke my jaw taking them out.  I was sore for about two weeks after.

Answer 3

it doesn't hurt. well the surgeon that dealt with me numbed me up good!! and it took less than 20 mins to get all four out. he's that good. there's no pain its just somewhat uncomfortable.

Answer 4

It depends on many factors:

1. are they impacted?

2. How old are you?

The younger you are, the less it hurts, because the teeth havent finished growing. Non impacted wisdom teeth hurt the least.

Answer 5

Ya, I think that person has it backwards. When I had mine removed I was so drugged up that I didn't feel any pain, but later after the drugs wore off it begins to hurt and you have to take pain killers, of course.

Answer 6

eh, it wasnt too bad.  i didnt take any of the prescribed heavy duty medication.  just the ibuprofen.  its not that bad, just sucks when you cant eat anything awesome, like chips

and they drug you up real good, so you should feel it during, or right after

nothing to be afraid of

Answer 7

It doesn't hurt during or after, well at least it didn't for me. If you want to make sure you don't feel anything during the procedure, ask your surgeon to put you to sleep with general anesthesia. This will, the only thing you will feel is a tiny shot in your arm when they inject the IV. Then you will fall asleep within half a minute, and what feels like a minute later, you will be awake and the whole thing is done. You will have no idea that they even worked on you. And when you first wake up, the local anesthesia that they inject inside your mouth will not wear off for a few hours so you still won't feel any pain. Then go pick up your painkillers and take that on a tight schedule and that shouldn't allow any pain in. I am taking three Motrins plus one Vicodin and it really does the job. Sometimes, I feel a dull pain on one of my extraction sites, but once I take the meds, it all goes away pretty quickly. Everybody's experience with wisdom teeth extraction is different and everybody's body will react differently to it as well. But from my experience, I can tell you that it's not bad at all.

Answer 8

I had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled last year, and they put me to sleep, so obviously during the procedure I was knocked out and didn't feel a thing.  The recovery period was h**l for me though.  It varies from person to person, but I had a rough experience.  The day of and up to two-three days after the operation you have to put gauze in your mouth because you bleed a lot (mine stopped bleeding the day after).  You get sick of eating the same foods over and over again (chicken broth, soups, yogurt, pudding) because you literally can't chew anything, it hurts too much.  I also got kind of grossed out because you can feel the gaping holes in your mouth.  Although my doctor gave me vicodin (my cousin actually got tranquilizers too...) and I'm sure your doctor will give you good painkillers, I reacted badly to them, and they just made me extremely naseous.  Extra-strength Tylenol worked just as well without the nausea.  About two or three days after the operation, your cheeks also puff up and you look like a chipmunk.  It's pretty embarassing, but you'll get over it.  Overall, I'd say after the operation I had about 4-5 days of pain.  Exactly a week after the operation the your oral surgeon makes you come in for a check-up to see how you're doing and remove the stitches (when you'll IMMEDIATELY feel much better) After he removed my stitches, I felt 100x better and I healed completely within that day.  Also, I don't know if you smoke cigarettes, but you're not allowed to smoke at all during that week period with your stitches in.

From what I hear, I've had a worse recovery than most (some people are back on their feet within 3 days) but it took me about 5 or 6.  My advice, line up a list of movies or TV shows you've been meaning to watch, pile up a bunch of books for the library, and try to relax. (I myself mastered guitar hero whilst recovering)  When else are you medically allowed to be lazy for a week?

Don't freak out, it's worthwhile once it's all over, and good luck!