Wisdom tooth removal is a common oral surgery, and returning to work the following day is one of the most practical concerns for patients. While the procedure is typically quick, recovery requires careful management to prevent complications and ensure proper healing. Determining if you can resume professional duties within 24 hours depends on your individual recovery progress and the physical demands of your job. Most dental professionals advise planning for a couple of days of rest, but a return to work is occasionally possible for those with simple extractions and low-demand jobs.
The 24-Hour Assessment
The decision to return to the workplace on the day after surgery hinges on the patient’s immediate physiological status. At the 24-hour mark, the initial blood clot, which is the body’s protective layer over the socket, should have formed and achieved stability. This clot is essential for protecting the underlying bone and nerve endings, and its integrity must not be compromised by activity.
The lingering effects of anesthesia or sedation should be mostly gone by this time, but any residual grogginess or impaired judgment makes driving or operating machinery unsafe. Swelling often peaks around the second or third day post-surgery, which can make concentrating or communicating difficult. If pain is adequately managed with non-sedating medication and swelling is moderate, returning to work may be considered, particularly if the extraction was simple and non-impacted.
How Job Type Impacts the Decision
The nature of your work is perhaps the single most important external factor influencing your ability to return to work quickly. Sedentary or desk-based roles are generally the easiest to resume, provided the pain is controlled and focus is maintained. Patients with these roles should minimize excessive talking and avoid frequent head movements, such as bending over to retrieve items, which can increase pressure in the mouth.
Conversely, jobs involving physical labor or strenuous activity are strongly discouraged for at least three to five days post-extraction. Physical exertion raises the body’s blood pressure, significantly increasing the risk of bleeding at the surgical site. This increased pressure can dislodge the newly formed blood clot, leading to a painful condition where the bone and nerve are exposed. Even heavy lifting should be avoided as it can also compromise the integrity of the clot.
Necessary Post-Operative Care While Working
If you decide to return to work, maintaining the prescribed post-operative care routine is mandatory for successful healing. Taking pain medication, whether over-the-counter or prescription, precisely on schedule is necessary to prevent discomfort from escalating. It is often more effective to take the medication preemptively, before the pain becomes severe, to maintain a consistent level of pain relief throughout the workday.
Your diet must remain restricted to soft foods that require minimal chewing, such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, or blended soups. Hydration is also important, but you must strictly avoid using a straw, as the resulting suction can easily dislodge the protective blood clot. For hygiene, gentle rinsing with a warm salt water solution can begin the day after surgery, but this must be done without vigorous swishing or spitting. If swelling persists, applying an ice pack to the cheek for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off can help minimize the inflammation.
Warning Signs That Require Staying Home
Any patient experiencing symptoms indicating a complication should immediately stay home and contact their oral surgeon.
- Excessive bleeding: This is defined as bleeding that saturates gauze quickly and does not slow down after applying steady pressure for 30 minutes. While some light oozing is expected for up to 48 hours, uncontrolled flow suggests a compromise to the clot formation.
- Severe, throbbing pain: Pain that is not controlled by the prescribed combination of medications may indicate that the blood clot has been lost, exposing the socket.
- Fever or chills: The onset of a fever (above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or the presence of chills can signal a developing infection.
- Nausea and vomiting: These symptoms, especially if related to the side effects of pain medication or general anesthesia, make working unsafe and require a day of rest.