Just putting this here in case anyone reading this needs to hear it.
I am super dentist-phobic. I hate going to the dentist, have my whole life. Still do. It’s bad and takes me a few days after a normal cleaning to recover “emotionally” and feel normal again (not to mention the few nights of little sleep leading up to it).
I had my wisdom teeth out in my 30’s (that’s 20 years ago, yikes). It was fine and I actually have few memories of it, which shocks me even as I’m typing this because I can remember every dentist office I’ve had my entire life. The days leading up to it were hard, but the procedure was fine. I was put under in the office and woke up with it over. I had minor discomfort afterwards for a few days. All in all, for me, it wasn’t a fraction of how bad I thought it would be.
I know it can go wrong and I know when it does the memories stick with people - as you can tell from this thread. But it can be pretty uneventful too. Just follow the recommended aftercare.
Well glad this thread woke up because now I’ve learned about this dessert. Am I insulting the entire background of the thing by thinking that it looks effectively like an apricot-flavored tres leches? (Which sounds really good to me.)
I just wanted to add I think it’s also quite a bit safer, which is probably part of what makes it cheaper . If I’m not mistaken, you can be sedated without requiring general anesthesia, so you aren’t as aware of what is happening. .
Yeah – and you aren’t paying an anaesthesiologist. I insisted on a local only for a minor hand surgery and the office staff all acted like I was crazy. But when I got into the OR my doctor said he’d have made the exact same choice. I had a small child and didn’t want to risk it or run up unnecessary expense. Doc actually said most people go under because the local is painful and the tourniquet is uncomfortable. It was, but tolerable. I did pass when the doc offered to show me the inside of my hand after cutting me open.
I had a surgical wisdom tooth removed last year, and honestly the food side of things was manageable as long as I stuck to the basics and didn’t rush it. The first 48 hours are the most important for protecting the clot, so think soft, cool, and no suction at all. I lived on yoghurt, mashed potato, scrambled eggs, smoothies (drank from a cup, not a straw), and lukewarm soups. Anything too hot, crunchy, or grainy is risky early on.
One thing that helped me feel more prepared was reading through post-op advice from clinics like Burwood Diamond Dental, they explain it in a really practical way (I found this page useful:burwooddiamonddental.com.au). It reassured me that eating is fine, you just need to be gentle and mindful.
Also, don’t stress too much about drinking liquids, just sip slowly and avoid swishing. The “dry socket horror stories” usually come from things like using straws, smoking, or disturbing the area too soon. If you follow the aftercare instructions properly, your chances of complications drop a lot.
Plan a few easy meals ahead of time and you’ll be glad you did.
When you are sufficiently well to try hot foods, spread a flour tortilla with refried beans, sour cream, shredded cheese, and a soft salsa like Herdez salsa casera. Roll it up and microwave your delicious burrito.
