Wisdom Teeth FAQ

After I have had my consultation, how long do I have to get my wisdom teeth out before they start to bother me?

It is impossible to predict if and when wisdom teeth are going to cause symptoms or pain. Generally, it is best to have them removed as soon as practical once you have had the consultation, and have decided to have them out. Wisdom teeth have an uncanny ability to bother people at the most inconvenient times, so it is best to do it as soon as you possibly can.

I want my wisdom teeth out but can’t do it for weeks/months. What can I do so they won’t bother me until then?

There is no full proof way to prevent wisdom teeth from causing symptoms or pain, especially ones that have already started to cause pain and are not in the mouth the whole way (i.e. partially impacted)

Can I work out after wisdom teeth removal?

This depends on how difficult they were to remove. Some extractions are easier than others which will impact your healing and down time. In general, 5-7 days of no strenuous physical activity is best, to avoid increasing the amount of swelling, pain and complications. If whatever you are doing is causing pain, it is your body’s way of saying you are not ready.

What can I eat after surgery, and how long do I have to avoid solid foods?

Depending on the difficulty of the extractions, we recommend a soft food diet for 5-7 days. Things like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and yogurt, anything you can eat without chewing would be best. Chewing solid food to early will only increase swelling and pain. The general rule is that is if it hurts to eat it, you are not ready for it.

Can I have my wisdom teeth removed and go out of town or on vacation?

You can, however if you develop a problem you will have to travel back to be seen or see someone locally, which may not be convenient or possible. Most post operative issues that are going to arise happen within the first 5-7 days. The more time that you can give yourself between surgery and when you have to travel is for the best.

What does it mean when my tooth is impacted?

“When a tooth is unable to fully enter the mouth, it is said to be “impacted”. In general, impacted teeth are unable to break through the gums because there is not enough room. Nine out of ten people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth.” AAOMS 2013

If my wisdom teeth are impacted and aren’t going to come in, why should I have them removed? They aren’t hurting me now.

You can choose not to remove them, but just because they are not coming in, doesn’t mean that they won’t cause problems in the future. One of the many issues with impacted teeth is that bacteria from your mouth can still reach them and there is not an effective way to keep them clean. This can lead to cavities, gum disease, gum infections and cyst formations.