From an anthropological standpoint, wisdom teeth were once necessary in order to replace worn molars as a result of a tough diet. Modern diets are made up of softer foods, making the need for wisdom teeth obsolete. Named for the advanced age at which wisdom teeth erupt, the teeth can cause problems for your existing molars. If your dentist has recommended you have them removed, plan for a week of reduced activity and downtime in order to manage pain and foster healing.
Surgical Process
Understanding how an oral surgeon extracts the wisdom teeth can help you better understand the type of recovery time you may experience. The teeth are extracted by making an incision to the gums. Any bone blocking the wisdom teeth is removed and the teeth are extracted. The incision is then stitched closed and the mouth is padded with gauze in order to stop any bleeding. Some wisdom teeth are harder to remove than others, making the recovery time and restraints a highly situational issue. Your oral surgeon will give you instructions based upon your individual case.
Recovery Time
You'll be instructed to go home and rest for the first 24 hours after surgery. Wisdom teeth extraction is often done under general anesthesia or other methods of sedation, so you may feel woozy and disoriented directly after the completion of your surgery. Take the day off to sleep and rest, as your gums will be sore and swollen. It's likely that you'll be instructed to consume only liquids for the first two or three days following surgery, after which you may introduce soft foods like pudding and apple sauce. Your swelling and pain level will dictate the length and severity of your recovery time.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Once you feel comfortable moving around after the anesthesia wears off, it's fine to walk, but avoid doing any type of exercise for the first 24 hours as you recover. In the following week, you should avoid any type of contact sport or high impact exercise that could cause trauma to the jaw. Exercising too strenuously when your gums are still healing and sensitive can result in excess pain through impact. You may do low impact exercises such as walking or swimming for the first week after surgery. As the swelling recedes and you begin to feel better, it's fine to begin adopting a lower impact version of your regular exercise routine.
Medications
One of the contraindications concerning exercise after your wisdom teeth involves the type of medication you may be taking. Your oral surgeon will likely prescribe a painkiller in order to help reduce swelling, help you sleep and help you cope with the pain following surgery. Depending on the type of medication you're taking, it could make you feel sleepy and disoriented. When taking your pain medication, avoid exercise that involves balance or precision, like riding a bike. Instead, walk with a friend who can help should you feel suddenly weak or fatigued. After a week, your pain will subside substantially so you can decrease or stop taking your medication as directed by your surgeon.
