Many teenagers face the same daunting question: will I have to get my wisdom teeth removed? Unfortunately, for many, the answer is yes.

“I recently got my wisdom teeth pulled,” junior Erin Harrigan said.

Harrigan’s experience with the procedure was pretty similar to that of many other Blue Valley students, but it was a frightening experience none-the-less. 

“The scariest part for me was when they put the IV in,” Harrigan said. “It made it all seem very real, and I got a little bit worried.”

Prior to the surgery itself, patients are required to undergo several preparation procedures to help facilitate the surgery.

“They made me watch a video about what could happen and possible outcomes,” Harrigan said. “I could be numb in my tongue and bottom lip for the rest of my life. I could even lose my ability to talk.”

However, the scares before the surgery pale in comparison to the recovery process.

“It was really hard to eat and take my pills,” Harrigan said. “I also had to clean my mouth with a syringe, and I had to gargle salt water.”

Furthermore, after getting wisdom teeth removed, certain foods are completely off-limits. 

“I could only eat soft foods like mashed potatoes and applesauce and pudding,” Harrigan said. “I couldn’t eat foods like chips, popcorn, or anything that was going to be hard for me to chew.”

While any procedure that requires anesthesia is formidable for the patient, it can often be quite amusing for the family, friends, and nurses that stand by. 

“Apparently, when I was talking to the doctor, she told me that she was going to walk me to the car,” Harrigan said. “I stood up and told her, ‘I’m strong enough to do it by myself because I have really strong muscles.’”

It is important to look for these moments in any situation because the glass is always half-full, and while it might be scary in the moment, one should try to see the bigger picture. 

“Try to stay calm, the pain does go away,” Harrigan said. “It’s not the end of the world.”