Do People Act Weird After Wisdom Teeth Removal? Common Reactions

Understanding Common Reactions After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth removal (extraction) is a very common procedure that about 5 million Americans undergo each year. As with any medical procedure, it is normal to have some side effects or recovery symptoms afterwards. However, you may be wondering - does everyone act weird or have strange reactions after getting their wisdom teeth out?

Common Short-Term Effects

Many people have temporary issues in the hours or days following their wisdom tooth extraction. Common short-term reactions include:

• Numbness - Local anesthetic causes numbness that can last for several hours after the procedure.
• Bleeding - Some minor bleeding or oozing is normal for the first 12-24 hours.
• Swelling - Some facial bruising and swelling around the cheeks often persists for up to 2 weeks.
• Pain - Tenderness, soreness, or moderate pain is common for a few days, managed by medication.
• Difficulty opening mouth - Your mouth may not open as wide due to swelling and inflammation.
• Fatigue - Feeling tired or sluggish is very common in the first day or two following surgery.
• Sensitivity - Teeth may be temperature-sensitive temporarily.
• Numbness or odd sensations - Partial numbness in lips, tongue, chin can persist for a few weeks or months after procedure.

Does Anesthesia Cause Weird Reactions?

Yes, some strange reactions can occur when the anesthetic medication wears off after wisdom teeth removal. Many people report feeling loopy, giggly, silly or slightly drunk for awhile as anesthesia effects fade. Slurred speech, impaired coordination, nausea, and vomiting may also occur temporarily.

Typically, the anesthetic will completely wear off within 24 hours. In very rare cases, it can cause serious complications like allergic reactions or breathing issues, so medical attention is needed for any concerning symptoms. Otherwise, you just need to safely rest and allow the medication effects to dissipate.

Potential Issues in the Days Following Surgery

For the first 3-5 days after having your wisdom teeth removed, you will likely experience some unpleasant symptoms like:

• Difficulty eating/drinking due to pain.
• Food getting stuck in extraction sites.
• Bad breath and unpleasant taste in mouth - especially by day 3-4 due to gum healing.
• Oozing from extraction sockets.
• Fatigue, low energy.
• Slight fever due to inflammation/infection.
• Moodiness or irritability due to discomfort.

Try saltwater rinses, cold compresses, soft foods and over-the-counter pain pills to manage these issues. Call your dentist with any severe symptoms like high fever, chills, foul mouth discharge, etc.

Overall discomfort, low mood, fatigue and bad breath during initial healing can understandably make some people act a little "off" or not like their usual self. But you should start feeling noticeably better around days 5-7.

When to Worry About Strange Behavior

In very rare cases, wisdom tooth extraction can lead to serious complications that require prompt medical care. Seek emergency care if you or a loved one experiences:

• Severe reactions to anesthetic like trouble breathing
• Excessive bleeding that won't stop
• High fever (over 101 F) with stiff neck, headache, rash or confusion
• Seizures
• Yellowing skin/eyes
• Trouble seeing or swallowing
• Unusual swelling/bruising around eyes or neck
• Tingling/numbness in arms/legs, trouble walking
• Pain/swelling that continues getting worse after 5-7 days

Otherwise, it's fairly common to have some less severe odd feelings, fatigue and behavioral changes due to medication side effects and post-surgery discomfort. Stay well-hydrated and be patient with your recovery process.

Managing Longer-Term Healing and Symptoms

For most patients, the first 1-2 weeks tend to be the most uncomfortable period after wisdom teeth removal. However, you may wonder if pain, swelling or numbness that persists longer than that is normal? Or if you might feel or act strange for months?

How Long Does Pain and Swelling Last?

It is very common to have some lingering pain or inflammation for up to:

• 1 month - Moderate gum tenderness, some aching at night or with chewing
• 3-4 weeks - Occasional tingling, shooting nerve pains as healing continues
• 2 weeks - Visible bruising/swelling may still be diminishing

With proper aftercare and oral hygiene, severe pain should subside within 7-10 days. If severe pain continues for over 2 weeks this can signify complications like infection or fractured jawbone. Consult an oral surgeon promptly in such cases.

Managing Ongoing Discomfort After Wisdom Teeth Removal

To manage residual healing pain/swelling a month or more after surgery:

• Rinse mouth gently with warm saltwater
• Use over-the-counter pain medication as needed
• Eat soft foods
• Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling
• Avoid irritants like smoking, drinking with a straw, vigorous rinsing
• See dentist if symptoms worsen or don't improve with self-care

Will extraction sites stay sore permanently?

Some patients report intermittent slight tenderness or irritation long after they have healed, especially when eating something hard/crunchy. But extraction sites and gums should not remain persistently painful if wisdom teeth were properly removed and you maintained good oral hygiene during recovery.

It is possible for extracted wisdom teeth to become infected or form cysts years later as remnants of the tooth remain under gum tissue. So recurrent swelling or tenderness could signify delayed complications necessitating further treatment.

Also be aware that new jaw pain can sometimes arise years later due to changed bite alignment or TMJ issues after losing molars. See your dentist promptly if discomfort arises long after recovery.

When Will Numbness or Tingling Resolve?

Lingering numbness or tinging for a few weeks after wisdom tooth removal is fairly common, resulting from surgical trauma to nerves. However full sensation and function should return within:

• 6-8 weeks - Numbness diminishes greatly but minor tingling can persist longer
• 3-6 months - Most numbness fully resolves though recovery varies
• 1 year - In rare cases, partial numbness lasts this long if a nerve was more severely impacted

See an oral surgeon if numbness exceeds 6 months or gets worse instead of slowly improving. Permanent nerve damage risk exists with wisdom teeth removal, but is estimated at less than 1% probability.

Long-Term Impact on Behavior and Mood?

Recovering from oral surgery combined with medication side effects can understandably make someone act or feel differently in the short term. However wisdom tooth extraction should not cause permanent behavioral changes or mood instability.

How Long Do Post Wisdom Teeth Behavior Changes Last?

Some patients may exhibit:

• Poor concentration and focus due to pain medications
• Subdued mood or tearfulness due to discomfort for the first 5-7 days
• Low energy, increased sleep needs initially
• Short term memory issues for a week or two if under general anesthesia
• Mild anxiety about chewing or recovery complications early on

But surgical patients should return to normal mood and cognition within 2 weeks as swelling diminishes and anesthesia side effects wear off. If unusual changes like aggression, insomnia, depression or incapacitating anxiety persist long-term, seek medical advice.

Coping Strategies for Post-Surgery Changes

To counteract temporary tiredness, difficulty concentrating or increased sensitivity in the first couple weeks:

• Get extra rest
• Reduce responsibilities where possible
• Lean on your support system
• Stay well hydrated and nourished
• Use written reminders to help concentration/memory
• Consider therapy or support groups for surgery-related anxiety

Most surgical patients can expect to go "back to normal" by about 2 weeks post-op as pain levels out and strength returns. But allow extra time to fully stabilize and watch for signs you should seek medical advice.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.