Nervous about wisdom teeth removal

[Featheryy1221]

So I'm getting my 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed this coming Tuesday (the 25th) and I'm starting to get some anxiety over it. I'm not very good with medical things (I get anxiety every time I go to the doctors, and I used to get it when I went to the dentist). Even the thought of an IV (or getting blood drawn) makes me squeamish. I don't know why. I've always been this way. I remember watching some realistic white and red blood cell in my science class when I was in elementary school and I went to the school nurse because I felt extremely faint and sick to my stomach from watching it.
At my surgeons suggestion, I'm going to be getting "laughing gas" first before getting IV sedation. I've never had either.
I think one of the things I'm most nervous about is the whole IV thing and the fact I'm not going to be 'in control.'
So I'm just wondering, how bad is it really? Am I overreacting in being nervous about it? I tend to get really worried about things I shouldnt worry about (the joys of being an anxious person. Lol). Was anyone else really nervous about it? Do you have any tips? Meals/ food suggestions, or just ways to get through it all?

Also if you were me, when would you call the ortho to schedule the next adjustment? I know my ortho mentioned that it can take a month to completely heal. So I'm not sure if I wait a month then call or call after 2 weeks. They never told me what to do and I don't think the two offices communicate well with each other (they're both super busy offices).

[Felina Grimm]

I was just as anxious as you are before I got all 4 of them out. I also had laughing gas before the IV. You're going to feel high as a kite (at least I was) and before you know it, you're done. That's how it was to me. It took them almost two hours. But for me, it felt like a minute went by. I don't regret getting both laughing gas and IV. Me having a small mouth would have been worse if was awake due to all the pressure and having to keep the jaws open.

The pain isn't so bad afterwards, but you'll have chipmunk cheeks for a week at least and your jaws will feel stiff. I suggest you don't eat at all after the extractions and then an all liquid diet for a week. Then you can slowly add solids after that. No straws! That one was tough for me because I use straws to drink everything except water.

[nickd503]

I don't have much experience with the IV sedation but when I finally got myself into the dentist for fillings on both sides a deep cleaning they gave me nitrous and a shot in the arm that really kicked my butt. I didn't really remember much of the experience, it was 2 hours in the chair that felt like 15 minutes.

They really seem to have great options for people with dental fears or for ones having wisdom teeth removed. So much that if I need to have my wisdoms yanked (fingers crossed for a giant no) that I could go through with it.

[djspeece]

It's definitely normal to be nervous, but I assure you the laughing gas and anesthetics will relieve you of all concerns of losing control, eliminate any pain, and will probably dim your memory of the event. It's "FM" therapy, as one of my physician colleagues liked to comment. "Freaking Magic." Of course the first word was somewhat more coarse. Try to enjoy the experience, and follow your preop and postop instructions to the letter. As far as the next adjustment, I'd call in one or two weeks. Assume you are going to heal normally, which you probably will. Best of luck to you!

[Featheryy1221]

I was just as anxious as you are before I got all 4 of them out. I also had laughing gas before the IV. You're going to feel high as a kite (at least I was) and before you know it, you're done. That's how it was to me. It took them almost two hours. But for me, it felt like a minute went by. I don't regret getting both laughing gas and IV. Me having a small mouth would have been worse if was awake due to all the pressure and having to keep the jaws open.

The pain isn't so bad afterwards, but you'll have chipmunk cheeks for a week at least and your jaws will feel stiff. I suggest you don't eat at all after the extractions and then an all liquid diet for a week. Then you can slowly add solids after that. No straws! That one was tough for me because I use straws to drink everything except water.

Thank you Felina Grimm for sharing your experience. I appreciate your tips. I haven't gotten directions on what foods to have and what I'm not allowed to have and I'd rather be prepared then need someone to run to the grocery store the day before thanksgiving to pick things up (that's a crazy task to expect for anyone). Lol. I've heard the no straw rule and luckily I haven't gotten into the habit of using them.

I don't have much experience with the IV sedation but when I finally got myself into the dentist for fillings on both sides a deep cleaning they gave me nitrous and a shot in the arm that really kicked my butt. I didn't really remember much of the experience, it was 2 hours in the chair that felt like 15 minutes.
They really seem to have great options for people with dental fears or for ones having wisdom teeth removed. So much that if I need to have my wisdoms yanked (fingers crossed for a giant no) that I could go through with it.

Nickd503 thank you! I've had cavities filled by my dentist always uses the numbing shots so this will be a new experience.

It's definitely normal to be nervous, but I assure you the laughing gas and anesthetics will relieve you of all concerns of losing control, eliminate any pain, and will probably dim your memory of the event. It's "FM" therapy, as one of my physician colleagues liked to comment. "Freaking Magic." Of course the first word was somewhat more coarse. Try to enjoy the experience, and follow your preop and postop instructions to the letter. As far as the next adjustment, I'd call in one or two weeks. Assume you are going to heal normally, which you probably will. Best of luck to you!

Thanks Dan! I will try to enjoy it and keep in mind that its "freaking magic." Haha. Also I think you're right that I should call after 2 weeks. I want to get the ball rolling again with these braces!

Thank you all for your great tips and reassurances! I really, really appreciate it!!

[Featheryy1221]

Just so everyone knows, everything went smoothly. Now I'm just keeping up with my meds and just trying to follow all their directions carefully in order not to screw something up.
Again thank you all for your encouragement and advice. Really appreciate it!

[djspeece]

Glad to hear this good news! Congratulations!