While some resources come from ideas that I learn from success, others come from lessons that I learned through inadequacy. This is one of those!
My eldest child just experienced wisdom tooth extraction and I have two more children who will follow in their footsteps. The requirements of my caregiving increased more than I anticipated-which means there were areas where we were not prepared. So I am making a few notes to help in the future as I walk this road with my other two and I am posting them here. If anyone else has extra tips, please share them in the comments section.
Having these teeth removed early is a bonus! We are so glad to have been financially prepared to have them out at 16 years old rather than waiting. One mom that I spoke with in the waiting room was there with her 19 year old daughter and they were having to do extra procedures because it had been super hard to schedule it. It would help to set aside some money between 13 and 15 years old to be ready.
When scheduling, I wish we had planned for a three- week separation from any special days or celebrations. We only had one week from a birthday and it was fine but an extra week of cushion as well as a week just in case their were dry sockets would have been extremely beneficial. Also if possible keep margin for just sitting with them while they heal. It is easy to just schedule it when best for child, but the less activity for the whole family, the better.
Take the phone away from the child until the sedation wears off completely. Too often they will post a video they wouldn’t normally make or will call someone they don’t really want to call. Thank goodness, this didn’t happen to us, but it did to a friend.
Have a bell or squeaker toy or something else they can use to get your attention without talking or yelling for you (especially since you still need to have their phone).
The diet was the hardest part for us! The daily trips to the store will likely happen but with this list maybe we could have decreased the number of trips per day. Since wisdom teeth procedures often coincide with growth spurt timeframes, these teens are extremely hungry and the soft foods do not fill them up for long. Prior to surgery I would find a protein shake that the particular teen prefers. Multiple packs of pudding, jello, mac-n-cheese, and milkshakes only do so much and those growing bodies start needing more protein to keep away the “Hangry”! Having a good meatloaf recipe that they have tried and perfected before surgery with just meat, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and breadcrumbs is very handy 4-5 days after procedure. Also chicken fettuccini alfredo (with shredded not chunks of chicken) is helpful. Chicken or tuna salad with just the meat and some mayo or mushed avocado would be an option- any pickles or apples or grapes will likely be hard to control and keep out of the sockets though. Chicken noodle soups can be a bit slippery and hard to control to keep out of sockets, but broths are great. Baked potatoes and sweet potatoes are great to have on hand (broths can be poured over them for extra protein) along with soft cheeses they can couple with applesauce, canned pears, and bananas.
The frozen peas! Have at least 4 bags of those for ice packs (you can rotate 2 for each side of face for 30 minutes on 30 minutes off if swelling is really bad; 2- 3 times a day for mild swelling). They are so much better than actual hard ice packs. Socks filled with rice and frozen are great for later days 4-6 but the peas are so good for getting the extra cold to cheeks for jaw swelling the first 3 days.
Set aside some of their favorite toys, movies, games and books from their childhood. This is a repeated practice PLAtime sick day survival but it is great even for young adults. Nostalgia releases endorphins that are extremely helpful in healing! Googling “wisdom tooth jokes” together can also lighten the mood and help you look forward to laughing about your own experience in the future.
Other tips and tricks:
-set a timer for pain meds to stay ahead of the pain for first 3 days. When weaning only extend 30 minutes at a time on day 4 and 5.
-use chicken broth to make mashed potatoes instead of water to get extra protein and sustain teen appetites
-boil chicken on low slowly or cook in crock pot, add mild seasoning and shred for those who don’t like chicken salad; leave out pickles and fruit from chicken salad. Simply use avocado or mayo and other soft ingredients that are less likely to hang in stitches
-use 5% fat yogurt, bananas, sweet potatoes, and whole milk in smoothies but not blueberries or strawberries with small particles to irritate wounds
-use yeti-like cups with lids wide open to serve milkshakes and smoothies since straws are forbidden for 3 weeks
-Scrambled eggs, ice cream, apple sauce, jello and pudding are fantastic if they like them.
May you have hope, bonding, and rest in healing and PLA well!