Getting wisdom teeth removed while pregnant?

Amber68W

I got a referral yesterday from my dentist to get my wisdom teeth removed. I know that they will put me all the way under, and that makes me really nervous. I'm waiting on a call back from my OB to make sure it's going to be okay but I wanted to see if any of you have been through it.

bkleiter

That doesn't sound fun... are you able to wait until after you have the baby? I know when I had mine removed- I was on pain killers for a good week. I persoanlly wouldn't want to take those while pregnant.

onislandtime

I had mine removed when I was in 1st tri. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I didn't even take anything afterwards for pain either. Hopefully yours will be easy as well! GL!

Gina418

I had mine taken out years ago. The procedure itself wasn't all that bad - are they suggesting that much anesthetic or are you? I just had local anesthetic and I was fine. The recovery is rough, but I'm sure they wouldn't give you any meds that weren't pregnancy-safe.

GL!

dbertagni

I think it depends on the teeth, if they are fully out or will have to be cut out? I had all 4 removed at the same time and they were fully out so there was very little recovery/pain. I was also put totally under and then given pain medication. I think I took one dose and that was it, I was fine within 48 hours once the bleeding stopped. I don't think in whatever case it would be something I would elect to do while pregnant (just because I am paranoid even taking a Benedryl)!

Amber68W

When I called to schedule the consult with the surgeon, I told the receptionist that I'm 23 weeks. She said it wasn't a problem but to talk to my OB about it first, that they use IV sedation so that it's safe. From what I've read, IV sedation is like a general anesthetic but you're able to move and breathe on your own. I wouldn't want to go completely under unless I had to, and it didn't really sound like I had any other option. I'm glad to hear that you guys have had success with it, it's reassuring

BLM10

I assume that if they are putting you out, you are having them surgically removed, not pulled. This is serious oral surgery. I had 3 cut out in March (not pregnant) and it was horrendous- all 3 got serious infection and dry socket even though I did everything right, and I had to have 2 cut back open and cleaned out. I was given a lot of anesthetic and serious pain meds afterward and was in severe pain, completely miserable for 6 weeks recovering from the surgery and infection. It doesn't go so poorly for everyone, but I would NOT want to risk any of that during pregnancy. I have a small cavity now that I am waiting until after baby comes to get filled.

justme04

I really need to get mine out too! I was told to wait till after the baby came.

p1nklemonade

op- you don't have to be put out at all to have them removed.  i had just local and i was fine. (wasn't pregnant, just didn't like the idea of not being awake)  the recovery wasn't horrible, but i wouldn't want to be taking the painkillers and the antibiotics while pregnant if i could avoid it.  also, having a very sore mouth and stitches will prevent you from eating, at least a well-balanced diet for a few days, which also won't be good while pregnant.  my advice would be wait if you can.  obviously if you're in pain or are having recurring infections, it might be better to go ahead with the surgery.  fwiw, i only had two out, and still have two to go, and am praying they don't start acting up until after i deliver.

jerseykate84

Before I had mine taken out, everyone told me it was a piece of cake and I'd be fine. Not to freak you out, but boy were they wrong! I had all four removed and was in SO much pain for days and days. I actually remember being in so much pain that I curled up on the couch and fell asleep in my mom's lap... at 24 years old. Haha. When my painkillers ran out, I was in excruciating pain and couldn't stop crying.

At my follow-up appointment with the oral surgeon he said the surgery had been one of the most complicated procedures he'd ever performed and that he had "called in" extra painkillers last week. But he never TOLD ME that.

Anyways, moral of the story: for some people, getting their wisdom teeth is as simple as getting a cavity filled. For others, it is terrible and without pain killers it is simply unbearable. If you can wait, I'd highly recommend it. Painkillers are not safe during pregnancy, as is not eating anything but soup and sherbert for a week, so I would never want to put myself in that situation while pregnant.

Good luck and for your sake I really hope you can wait!!!

JnnLuvsU

I have to have mine out, too.  In fact, I've been putting it off for over two years.  I HATE the dentist.  I have panic attacks and start shaking.  It's not pretty.  I was told that they wouldn't do it all when I was pregnant, so I'm supposed to do it this summer.  I'm hoping and praying they put me under because I DO NOT want to be awake when they do it.

rahoogs9

I work as an assistant for an Oral Surgeon, and I know that the four doctors that I work for would not put you to sleep if you were pregnant and needed your wisdom teeth out!  Are the teeth decayed, hurting, or causing any type of problem?  If not, they I would definitely wait until after wards to get them out.  If they are causing problems, then I would just go with a local anesthesia and have the one that is bothering you taken out, and get the rest done at a later date.  It the tooth is fully errupted and not decayed, then you should be okay to just get them taken out with local, but if they are partially or completely impacted or decayed, then I would go to sleep.