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Do it all at once. I had mine done in college. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldnot have wanted to care for a toddler for the first several days. It was really hard to talk. It was painful, but not awful. Mostly just awkward and annoying. Plus, anesthesia really works well for me, so I was pretty out of it for longer than the average person.

Yes, I had them all out at 21. Two were impacted. I didn't want to be knocked out so I was just on A LOT of Novocaine and it really wasn't that bad. Yes, there was pain and some swelling afterwards but it seemed to dissipate after a day or two.

@CupQuakeWalk: Not once the anesthesia fully wore off. Again, that took quite a while for me, almost 48 hours. But the pain meds didn't affect my daily functioning - I don't think they gave me anything stronger than super-strong Tylenol or Ibuprofen. (My mom was with me and vetoed anything stronger. I had a weird reaction to some pain meds when I was a toddler that made me bounce off the walls - quite literally my parents had to hold me down because I kept trying to ram myself into the walls. Strange.). Anyway, I could have cared for a toddler, but I wouldn't have wanted to.

I had mine done when I was like 24? They were quite deep down still but the bottom two were sideways and as close to nerves as you could get without actually touching them. They had to put me under and remove all four. It took about a week to heal and be able to open my mouth wide enough to eat normally. If you're not getting put under it should be a little better. Def get them all done at once, you won't want to go back again.

@CupQuakeWalk: I got all 4 of mine out in 2011. I was 26 years old. It wasn't bad at all. Make sure you're going to a reputable place. I was mostly concerned about being put into "twilight sleep" but it was fine. I woke up loopy from the meds, and I never even took a narcotic pain pill. The 500 mg Motrin worked well for me. I healed quickly and without issue. Make sure you keep your gums clean. I was prepared to be in a lot of pain, and I really wasn't. Get all 4 done at once. Seriously, it'll be a lot easier.

The huge issue I DID encounter, however, was that this office prescribed me a preventative antibiotic, and it was a really, really strong broad spectrum antibiotic (they shouldn't have given me this particular one). It ended up making me very sick for 9 months (to make an incredibly long and dramatic story short). Just make sure you're going to a place where they know their stuff!

I had all 4 taken out when I was 22. The first day I was really groggy and slept most of the day. After that I was never in any pain. I did have a ton of swelling and bruising. I couldn't leave the house for a week.

@CupQuakeWalk: I could've cared for a toddler, but again, my teeth weren't impacted in any weird way so my procedure was relatively smooth and I wasn't put under. I think your idea of scheduling it on a Friday and having your mom watch the next day is a good idea since experiences do vary!

I had all of mine out under anesthesia when I was in my early 20s because of severe pain. Do all 4 at once if you can and get them over with. I had to do mine 2 and then 2 because of cost.

I was very lucky...no swelling or bruising or pain even though mine were all bad extractions. I was careful to take my meds like I was supposed to (don't wait to feel pain before taking the next dose, take them on time) and ice on my face almost the first 12 hours straight. If I remember right, my meds were alternated extra strength ibuprofen for the inflammation with an antibiotic. You won't know how you are going to heal until you do it, I know people that got one tooth out, easy extraction, and had way worse recovery then me so you never know.

I had all four taken out when I was 25. I was sick for over a week and would have done 2 if I were to do it again, but who knows... May have had the same experience twice. I was knocked out so maybe that's why....

I also couldn't take Vicodin.. It made me feel sick!

Good luck!

I'd arrange two days of care afterwards if possible. But the day of and next day are worst...talking will be tough for a couple. But it's not that bad in general.

@CupQuakeWalk: yeah, I'll be 25 in a few months. I feel like it's weird that I have a tooth coming in right now lol. Maybe line will never hurt?! That would be nice.
Don't be scared! You'll be fine when my brother had his done he was wonky for a day or two and then he was fine.

I'd do all 4, take the pain meds, and get help with LO for the next 2 days.

I did mine 2 at a time and recovery was easy both times. I did the 2nd set RIGHT after I had DD1. I think DH took that day off, but then I was fine the next day to take care of a newborn! But who knows, maybe it was horrible (like the newborn phase) and I have just blocked it out of my memory. Just kidding! I think I was fine, but I do have a high pain tolerance.

What @Dandelion: said! I had mine out in college, and I was put under, so I was super groggy (I'm also pretty sensitive to medication, so that's part of it.

DH just had his out a couple of years ago (he was 26) at our local dental school because it was cheap. A student did it, and I'll spare you the details, but even though the actual procedure was rough (and he was awake!) he recovered really well. They gave him really strong painkillers, but he only took them for about 24 hours. Granted...he's way tougher than I am (I would have kept taking them, I think!).

All that to say, you'll be okay! Good luck.

@CupQuakeWalk: I got all four out in October. I don't mean to scare you, but it was worse than childbirth. I'm old, 33. They were impacted. One came out of the gums when I had J and got infected almost a year later, so it was advised to get them all out.
I'm glad they all were out at once, I will never worry about them ever again. But it was harder than I expected. Get someone to help you for at least a week. The first two days aren't terrible but the swelling/pain gets worse on days 3 & 4. My dentist told me this when I was all loopy from general anesthesia, my brother reminded me, I didn't believe him and called the doctor back!
I called my mom begging for help (she couldn't). I couldn't eat solid food for almost a month (lost almost 10 pounds though!). Soup, pastina, yogurt, puréed squash, turnips, potatoes, soup, I'd stock up on all that.
And please get help with your son, it's so hard. I let J play with the iPad and watch Happy Gilmore that week and now he's hooked.
Get them all out, get the good painkillers, never worry about them again good luck! xoxo

I was 19 and felt no pain because I kept up on my meds around the clock even at night I set an alarm. Way easier than I expected it to be.

I had mine done at 18. All 4. It wasn't that bad at all. The next day I went to the movies with friends.

DH still has his and said they are starting to hurt, so I think he is going to end up needing them out too.

@Weagle: I have the opposite problem . . . I burn through the meds much faster than expected (based on body weight). I *woke up* after the second WT had been removed and had to signal to the oral surgeon that I could feel what he was doing (I reached up and grabbed his wrist).