Running After Having Your Wisdom Teeth Pulled

Written by Tina Bernstein

05 December, 2018

Wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 16 to 20 and are extracted if they come in crooked or don't fully emerge. Often, wisdom teeth will come in straight and your dentist will recommend they come out anyway to leave room for the rest of the teeth as you age. Exercise and running after wisdom tooth extraction should be taken in the context of how difficult the procedure is; some patients can resume exercise very quickly.

Non-Impacted

Non-impacted wisdom teeth are easier to extract; often the patient is under local anesthesia only. You may experience considerable bleeding or have stitches or packing where the tooth or teeth were removed. Since between one and four wisdom teeth may be extracted, follow the instructions of your dentist on the time to return to exercise, generally when bleeding has stopped after one or two days.

Impacted

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Impacted, or partially erupted, wisdom teeth may require oral surgery under general or twilight anesthesia. Because the anesthesia can linger in your body for more than 48 hours post-surgery, you may have even worse swelling a day or two after the extractions. If you take pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs, you need to rest at home until your pain and inflammation subside. Do not exercise until your oral surgeon clears you.

Impacted, or partially erupted, wisdom teeth may require oral surgery under general or twilight anesthesia.
If you take pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs, you need to rest at home until your pain and inflammation subside.

Gradual Return to Exercise

The most important factor in running after wisdom tooth extraction is a gradual return to exercise. Since the procedure is scheduled well in advance, you will have time to plan an easy running week after having your teeth pulled. Start your workout with a warmup phase -- for example, jogging 1/4 mile around the track. Make sure your running posture is upright, and do not clench your jaw. Then pick up your pace and run a mile or two, depending on your condition. Cool down by jogging slowly or walking.

The most important factor in running after wisdom tooth extraction is a gradual return to exercise.
Then pick up your pace and run a mile or two, depending on your condition.

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After a week or two you should be able to resume your regular running workouts. Always incorporate good habits such as warming up, drinking plenty of water and sports drinks if it is hot, cooling down and stretching for 5 to 10 minutes after your run. Keep your abs and back strong by working the core, as it will minimize stress on your lower back, neck, and jaw.