Can I Return to Work or School After My Dental Surgery Procedure?

Most patients can resume their normal activities within 24 to 48 hours after a dental surgery procedure, including returning to work or school. However, some may experience more severe pain, swelling, and bleeding, and need more time off from work. It all depends on the individual's unique case and experience. Removing wisdom teeth is almost like a rite of passage, but it still involves a surgical procedure, no matter how routine it may be.

Therefore, patients should set aside some time for recovery. Unless the patient has postoperative complications, most people can return to work (sedentary jobs) or school within 2 to 3 days after the extraction. For jobs that require more strenuous activity, a little more recovery time may be needed. For every oral surgery, there is a recovery period.

To optimize the healing process and prevent complications, such as infection, it is important to follow the surgeon's postoperative instructions carefully and precisely. For the first 24 hours after surgery, your surgeon will likely recommend that you rest, that you do not do any physical activity, and that you stay at home and not go to school or work. Usually, after oral surgery, your surgeon will recommend that you brush gently with warm water (not toothpaste) and rinse with saline or saltwater solution. Naturally, this will help keep the surgical site clean and will aid in the healing process.

Instead of spitting out the hot salt water, let it just drip out of your mouth. Talk to your dentist about the recovery times of multiple tooth extractions before scheduling your procedure. However, if you have an emergency situation, you may not have much time to prepare. Take the day off from work or school so you can relax after your extractions.

It can be helpful to schedule your appointment for the end of the week so that you have the whole weekend to recover. Talk to your dentist about how to adjust your diet and activity during the recovery period. Dentists check the progress of recovery at their follow-up appointments. A dental center in Texas 77079 can help you prepare for multiple tooth extractions.

Sometimes, several teeth are removed or a missing tooth is replaced (called a dental implant procedure). By following these tips and consulting with your dentist before scheduling any procedure, you can ensure a smooth recovery.