When can I return to teaching after a wisdom tooth extraction?

[bsweet]

I have an appointment to have one of my upper wisdom teeth removed next Tuesday after school. My dentist said the decay is bad and it is more of a shell of a tooth than anything. He said this will make the procedure more difficult. I have never had any teeth pulled before and don't know how the recovery process goes. Will I be able to go back to teaching the next day, or will I need to take a day or two off. I am concerned about the pain, swelling, anesthetic, and ability to effectively talk and teach classes after that. As you all probably know, schools don't seem to like teachers staying home sick and that worries me. I've missed one day sick in two years, and even then, I got a bad vibe from everybody. When is it okay to return to work?

[justanotherwaygook]

It depends on the individual.  I had all my wisdom teeth removed when I was 15.  I had it done on a Friday, was in pain all weekend, and even through Monday, making me miss school.  It was only one tooth that was causing tons of pain (though the day after the surgery, they were all sore).  Some wisdom teeth pop right out.  Others take a lot more work and hurt a lot.  You're really just going to have to play it by ear and don't feel guilty for taking time off.  It's an unfortunate fact that in Korea sick days are discouraged.  The only excuse that doesn't result in flak is if you're in the hospital  ???.  Anyways, best to take care of yourself.  You may wind up with very little pain.

EDIT: It also just occurred to me that you will be swollen.  Even if you go to work, you will be unable to speak clearly.  Just something to consider.

[Morticae]

I just had a wisdom tooth pulled last year, and I need another one pulled soon.

I left school at 4:30 PM. Went to the dentist about 5:00 PM. He did the extraction (almost broke my  jaw!) and I was back to work the next day.

Just follow the proper procedure to prevent/reduce swelling and you'll be fine. Pain wasn't an issue for me... it was pretty uncomfortable, but I wouldn't call it painful. I had several stitches in the mouth as well. But your mouth heals fast!

If you're really worried, prepare some videos or something easy. Or if your CT sees your struggling, maybe they'll send you home. I always come to work, and sometimes I am so sick they will send me home without me even asking.

[hei-yoon]

I had one wisdom tooth pulled last year.  Like you, it was on the top rather than the bottom, and according to my dentist, he said it would be a much easier procedure.  They will take an x-ray and they'll be uploaded to the monitor infront of you, while you're sitting in the dentist chair. It's nice to see first hand, where the problem is while they explain what they will do. I was not put under, unlike in Canada, however they injected a local anaesthetic into the gum surrounding the wisdom tooth. With a couple strong tugs, it popped out in a total of 30 seconds. He put gauze around the opening and told me to leave it there for 4 hrs. I was given a prescription for 1 day's worth of medicine and sent on my way. I left with very little pain, and after the 4 hours I didn't feel any pain or discomfort. I was able to teach the following day luckily, and didn't have to use a sick day. I've never had such a good trip to the dentist, definitely beats out every experience I've had in Canada.  It doesn't hurt either that it only cost 8,000 won + 3,000 for the meds.  Gotta love this country sometimes!

[madison79]

It depends on how impacted they are. 

My buddy played American football that same day and I went water skiing the day after mine. 
Have your KT call the place and ask but I'm betting he'll be over cautious about it. 

[bsweet]

It depends on how impacted they are. 

My buddy played American football that same day and I went water skiing the day after mine. 
Have your KT call the place and ask but I'm betting he'll be over cautious about it. 

Yeah he would definitely be over-cautious about it. My new co-teacher doesn't give me an inch of leeway, and pushes his own work on me when possible. He's hesitant and misquotes the contract anytime I ask him anything. He's yet to actually be right about anything I question him on, but it doesn't stop him from continued relentlessness. My dentist already told me that my tooth would present problems for him, so I'm pretty paranoid about it all. I don't know what worries me more: the pain, the teaching whilst in pain, or the dry socket that such activity may cause. This isn't gonna be fun...

[Daejeon]

Mine required a lot of drilling and cutting.  I was recovering from a fractured jaw at the time also.  Took the weekend to recover.  Was fine for work Monday.  Only problem was eating.

[Morticae]

They also had to do quite a bit of drilling/cutting for mine, too! There were some splashes of blood, haha.

Bsweet, don't stress out about it! The pain is minimal because they will use a local anesthetic. Mine lasted for quite a while. In fact, I couldn't feel my face for ~6 hours after the extraction. And don't stress over dry socket. Oh yeah, I had a lot of bleeding on mine so I would gently put a moistened green tea bag over the wound and gently bite down. This helped the bleeding and healing process (found that tip online!). It's not so bad.

You should schedule the extraction for FRIDAY and you'll absolutely be eligible to teach on Monday. Then your school wont be angry. If you try to take a sick day, they might not like it because it's not an emergency procedure and you should be able to schedule it so it doesn't interfere with your work duty.

[justanotherwaygook]

You should schedule the extraction for FRIDAY and you'll absolutely be eligible to teach on Monday. Then your school wont be angry. If you try to take a sick day, they might not like it because it's not an emergency procedure and you should be able to schedule it so it doesn't interfere with your work duty.

I wouldn't say 'absolutely' (see my post above).  But most likely OP will be ready by Monday if the extraction is on Friday.

[bsweet]

Well, I've been having these really bad tooth aches on the wisdom tooth in question. My dentist and I want to remove it ASAP. So the soonest he had available was Tuesday. So that's when the extraction's happening, and I won't have the weekend to recover... Perhaps I'll just come in and see what happens on Wednesday morning. Not looking forward to that though.

[LeylaIsaacs]

good luck!!!

I am having mine removed on Monday (I Think...)

But mine is the bottom left wisdom tooth!

[orangeman]

As others have said, it really depends.  My sister was in incredible pain for almost a week, and she's the tough sports player of the family.  My mouth actually fit them all and we let them grow in, but by my early 20s we accepted that my gums simply wouldn't allow them to develop properly.*  I was out drinking and eating wings that night.  But a few days later it suddenly started to hurt a bit, necessitating some advil.  Most of the people I know have been unpredictable as well.  If you're PS, I would definitely schedule a sick day in advance, or just call the day of.  Failing that, arrange to have an easy 'project' or movie day.  You might be high off your arse with the meds, something to consider. 


My wisdom teeth were strange.  The gums kept growing over the teeth, then would get gnashed away, grow back, and so on, causing cavities and gingivitis in the area.  My dentist said they were just over-healing.  Same thing happened with my lasik surgery on my eyes.  They almost immediately started to over-heal to the point of reverting back to my old condition.  My commendable lack of lasting injury despite my enjoyment for the drink also adds proof to my favourable regeneration capabilities.   Some people call me Wolverine, but that might just be because of that one time me and my high school friends held off a Soviet invasion in our home town from the local mountains. 

[wizall]

Some people call me Wolverine, but that might just be because of that one time me and my high school friends held off a Soviet invasion in our home town from the local mountains.

And how did the raw deer blood go down for you? I had a hell of time with it.

But back on subject, I took a full week. I had them out when I was 22 but all four were done and they were deeply impacted, upside down, and in the 12th dimension. They had to shatter them and put me totally under. I think with just the one if it's in okay shape you'll be fine in a day or two. Get a day off if you can swing it to avoid any issues.... namely dry rot. That's the pits (pardon the pun).

[ainihoi]

If you don't feel good, it is better to discuss your co-teachers at school.
They might help you. I think it is good to ask co-teachers when you need any helps.

[lotte world]

I had a (Korean) co-teacher who came back to school the next day (after extraction).  Had a very bruised jaw and had to hold an ice pack on it most of the day, but still gave lessons.

It really depends on your individual situation.  If you are still high on painkillers, or suffering pain with every breath you take, then don't come to school.

Why do you even need to ask?

[Daelim]

I had all four out last year, one every Saturday for four weeks in a row  :o :o :o

I was back teaching again on the Monday each time although I was taking it easy with the talking and shouting until the Wednesday.

The bottom ones are much harder to get out than the top. My bottom ones both needed sawn in half and pulled out strongly whilst the top just slipped out in seconds. Here's my best advice to get back up and running quickly:

ICE PACK FOR 20 MINUTE INTERVALS.
KEEP THE GAUZE IN FOR A FEW HOURS AT LEAST. REPLACE IT AND KEEP BITING DOWN ON IT FOR AS LONG AS YOU CAN.
DO NOT DRINK THROUGH A STRAW.
DO NOT SPIT OR GARGLE ANYTHING.
DO NOT EAT SOLIDS ON THAT SIDE.
JUST  NOT BRUSH IN THE SOCKET.

I never needed any pain meds or follow up visits after mine so here's hoping you're the same!

[justanotherwaygook]

I had all four out last year, one every Saturday for four weeks in a row  :o :o :o

I have to ask.  Why??

That sounds like pulling a band-aid off slowly, rather than in one quick rip.  What the benefit of not getting it over at once?

[dannyshaw7]

Had my extracted at 5pm on the Wednesday and was teaching the next day!!!

Very little pain, but be sure to follow the instructions your dentist gives you.

[colagus1]

I had my lower wisdom tooth removed a month ago. I scheduled my appointment for a Friday because I wanted to use the weekend to heal. Also my wisdom tooth was VERY close to a nerve. I had a very quick recovery. I wasn't in pain, I just felt uncomfortable for a few days afterwards. I also followed my dentist's post op very carefully (except the no showering for 2 days suggestion) and took extra painkillers (dentist's suggestion) as a precaution. I was able to go back to work on Monday. I also had no swelling.

[Cereal]

As some have said, sometimes it's painless. I had one taken out many years ago in the morning. I was on a jet later that afternoon pushing a trolley and handing out peanuts