During my visits to the dentist over the past several years, they always suggested that I get my wisdom teeth removed. They would write me out a referral, but I was in no hurry to go through with it...until this summer. Back in August, my teeth started to hurt. Sometimes it got so bad that I would drink some liquor just to ease the discomfort. I decided that action had to be taken. I went in for the referral appointment with the oral surgeon. At the appointment, I told her about my tooth pain. She said that there was a good chance that it was the wisdom teeth that were causing the pain, but it wasn't for sure. It would have been pretty shitty if I got my teeth pulled, but still experienced the same tooth pain that I had before the procedure. It was a good idea to get them out anyways, because they were crowding my teeth and they were difficult to brush. So I went ahead with it. I made an appointment for later that week.

It was early on Thursday morning when I had Colleen drive me to the oral surgeon. It was supposed to be a quick and easy extraction since all my wisdom teeth had broken through the gums. I sat in the chair, they hooked some tubes up to me, and I passed out. The next thing I remember is waking up to Colleen putting an ice pack on my cheeks. I had gauze in my mouth and it was difficult to talk. Only about 45 minutes had passed since I sat down in the chair, but the extraction was complete, and I don't remember a thing. Anesthetics are great. Colleen then drove me home, and thus, I began my recovery process.

The first batch of gauze in my mouth was pretty gross. I only had to change it out once before the bleeding stopped. The first few hours at home were pretty good. My mouth was still all numb. I played video games for a while. But then the numbness went away, and the pain kicked in. Luckily, they prescribe tons of drugs for you. You get a super strength aspirin for mild to moderate pain, and Vicodin for moderate to extreme pain. I wouldn't say I was in extreme pain, it was more a massive discomfort than anything.

They give you a list of rules and procedures that you should follow during your recovery. I followed these rules religiously because they had scared me about the possibility of getting "dry sockets" which would be very painful. Some of the rules included: Taking anti-biotics every 4 hours. Keeping the cold pack on your cheeks as much as possible for the first 2 days. No spitting or using a straw for a week. No rinsing out your mouth for the first day. Keep your head elevated for the first 2 nights by sleeping in a recliner or by using 4 or 5 pillows. No solid foods for the first 2 days, among other things.

The no solid foods rule was easy because you don't really feel like eating at all. The only thing I consumed on the first day was a milk shake...which I had to spoon into my mouth. The second day I had another milk shake and some chicken broth.

Every days that passes, you get better and better. I could function normally by the 3rd day. It just takes a while to be able to eat like you did before. Eating is a chore for the first week. You have to take little tiny bites, and chew it with your front teeth. This makes eating a long, almost unenjoyable process. I probably lost several pounds, because I didn't really feel like eating. The fourth day after the procedure, I went to a barbeque at Ryan's and attempted to eat a cheeseburger. I cut it up into little bites with a knife and fork. It took me about 50 minutes to eat one burger. My jaw was tired from chewing too much.

I went in for a follow-up appointment a week later. The holes in my gums were healing up nicely, which was good news. I was finally able to eat like I used to.

It is now over a month later, and the tooth pain that I had before the procedure is gone. It WAS my wisdom teeth that were causing the pain. I'm so glad to have them gone.

The procedure wasn't cheap, however. It cost about $1300, and they make you put down a $400 deposit on the day of the appointment. I do have dental insurance, but still expected to pay some more of that $1300. I got a letter from the oral surgeon a couple days ago and I was for sure it was some type of bill. But to my surprise, it was actually a check for $15. My $400 deposit was too much after the insurance payout. What a pleasant surprise.