The days after having wisdom teeth extracted...?

Question

I am planning on having some wisdom teeth extracted tomorrow, and I know it's supposed to be extremely painful--at least, when the numbing wears off.

My main question is, however, what are the visible effects? Is there swelling? If so, about how long does it normally take for the swelling to go down?

I've got plans for the day after, and I'd really rather not end up going while looking like I stuck my face in a beehive... but more than anything, I just want to know what to expect.

Thanks for the helpful responses, guys!

Thanks to your responses, I now have a better idea as to what the likely outcomes of tomorrow will be. It looks like my wish isn't impossible, but it may be a bit unreasonable to expect.

I guess all I can really do is use ice and painkillers, try not to make things worse during the recovery... and hope for the best.

Answer 1

some people swell really bad, my friend looked like a chipmonk, some people bruise really bad, like a really bad bar brawl, i personally had neither, but the vicodin made me soooo sick, i would take it, pass out for 4 hours, wake up, puke and then have to start the whole thing again.

i would recomend keeping ice packs on your cheeks for about 15 minutes at a time, to keep the swelling down.

if you get an absess tho (the wholes fill with liquid and cause more swelling) you might have to get them drainned. i knew 3 people that that happened to.

remember, no smoking, no straws, nothing that causes a sucking motion with your mouth (thats what can cause the absess)

i really dont rememeber any pain tho, just uncomfortablness, but i couldnt really eat for a few days, i lived on slimfast and yogurt.

good luck tho!!

Answer 2

I think that it really depends on the person. If you are getting all four teeth pulled at once, there is a good possibility for some swelling. You may want to just do two at a time.

I got a molar removed a few years ago. No anesthisia other than numbing medicine.... so I was awake the entire time. It wasn't apinful for me at all... but I've had two children with no pain drugs either.... my threshold for pain is a little higher than some. Anyway, I didn't have any swelling at all other than the numbing medicine's swelling. I did exactly what the doctor told me to do and I was fine in a week's time.

S/he is going to tell you not to drink any alcohol, because the yeast in beers and in liquor could give you yeast infections in the extraction holes. They will also tell you not to eat items like rice because it will get stuck in the hole (and hurts like hell to get out, from experience), not will you want to drink from a straw or smoke anything. The sucking from the straw or inhaling of cigarettes can cause the clot in the hole to come out.... which will lead to a dry socket. My sister told me that dry sockets are NO joke! She is a tough girl, and she was crying on the floor in the fetal position because the dry sockets hurt so much. Only because she wanted to smoke.

Good luck! I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Coming from the voice of experience(I had all four out in one go) you are not going to want to go anywhere, except running into your mums arms!
You will be screwed from the anesthetic for a day or so, then the pain starts kicking in.
But it's not just a normal "I'll just take a paracetemol and it'll go away" pain, it just aches so much all the time you just feel like punching your jaw to make it stop.
Then the prescribed pain killers kick in, and you end up actually liking the numb feeling you get, not to mention the fact that it's a mission to eat anything cos you keep thinking you've got bits of food stuck, but it's actually your stitches.
As for swelling, expect a bit, but the yellow bruising is what did it for me!
So enjoy! But remember, it does get better!

Answer 4

I have to say, the things you hear about how horrible wisdom tooth removal is are way exaggerated. People had me scared to death when I had mine cut out. Fact is, mine were hurting so bad before I had it done that it was actually a huge relief to get rid of them! There is some pain involved but it wasn't THAT bad for me. I had mine cut out at 1:30 in the afternoon. I worked second shift then. I went on in to work when I left the dentist office at about 3:30 or 4:00. I was just fine other than not being able to talk good from the novacaine. It wore off at about 9:00 that night and I experienced some moderate pain. It was not excruciating or anything. I also worked the next night. (I was a bartender then and was on my feet constantly and running all over the place at work) I'm not trying to tell you that you wont have any pain at all, but I doubt it will be as bad as you are being told it will be. Best of luck to you.

Answer 5

I've had 3 wisdom teeth removed, 2 of them at the same time about 5 years ago (top and bottom on one side). I would say that the feeling is just discomfort and not pain, and I don't remember any swelling. One problem is that for the next few weeks food particles will be slipping into the hole and are sometimes difficult to remove. Just don't do any strenuous activities for the next few days to prevent any more bleeding.

Answer 6

I just got the top 2 out on last friday... it isnt painful until after... they just froze my mouth and on one side and they just anchered them out , but on the other side they had to cut open my gum cause they hadnt grown in yet there. My mouth is still a bit swollen on the one side... The swelling depends on the person, some people just get swelling for a couple of days, other a bit longer. The day after I think u will have some swelling.... my dentist told me to keep putting an ice pack on it in 10 minute intervals... if u have any more questions u can email me if u like.

Answer 7

I had all four of mine cut out. I did not bruise or swell. When I woke up I had gone shopping the rest of the afternoon. But I have heard some people that do swell in bruise and others that are perfectly fine (except for being tired). I was glad I didn't bruise.
I believe it takes a couple days for the swelling - make sure you put ice on it. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

I had 3 taken out. Only some pain and that was gone the next morning. No swelling or bruising for me. Everybody is different and their body reacts differently.

No need to change plans, why be self-conscious about how you look. Just go and have fun. If anyone says anything just smile and say - wisdom teeth removed.

Answer 9

My face was swollen for about two days. There were no bruises. The swelling isn't that bad if you take the pill that reduces swelling that they give you. The only frustrations I had was having to eat soft foods only and having to sleep on my back. Overall, my surgery went good and don't forget to take pain pills regularly or it will hurt a lot!

Answer 10

Everyone is different, and it depends on how extensive the surgery is. Mine were lying on there side and had to be cut out.

I had swelling for several days and couldn't eat solid food for 2 days. I also had a lot of pain and pressure whenever lying down flat and had to sit up in a recliner to sleep.

My husband had some swelling, but was able to eat pizza later that day. His were easliy removed, though.

Good luck to you.