How soon after Wisdom Tooth extraction do you think I should wait to dive

[Seattle Diver]

Hey folks,

Well, I have to schedule one of those oh so pleasant appointments to get my wisdom teeth taken out, all four of them.

My dentist is not a diver and really can't give me a clear answer regarding how long I should wait after the extraction to go diving again, so I turn to you in hopes of more informed expertise so I can both minimize my out of water time (Instructor, so I can't afford to stay out for long), and the chances of dry socket.

If it makes any difference, two are stuck in the jawbone (The lower two), and the other two are all the way out, so I am thinking they might be a little less traumatic.... myabe not but I can dream.

Any thoughts on how long you think I should stay out would be great... or any firsthand experiences as well.
H.

 

[drbill]

I can't really speak to your personal situation, but for me I was active the night after each of my three were pulled and thought nothing about diving the following day. However, I am not a doctor... I just play one on TV, and your mileage may differ substantially.

 

[jpcpat]

You might want to wait until the incision has healed. For me that was about a week, but both were fully erupted at the time. If they have to dig for them, it'll take longer.

 

[Mr.X]

I would wait a few days until my body & mind had recovered from the shock of having four teeth pulled, made sure my incisions had healed (mouth injuries heal quickly) and the antibiotics I was taking weren't dragging me down with frequent trips to the loo. I was on weird street for a few days. All the antibiotics like Keflex etc. can wreak havoc on a previously happy digestive system.

X

 

[fisherdvm]

It took me almost 2 weeks before the bleeding stopped. It bleed profusely for almost 1 week....

I don't think there is any risk except for bleeding if you dove too early.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Seattle Diver,

As with most medical/dental issues raised on this forum, IMHO it's best not to be overly simplistic.

The man I consult for dental diving issues, Dr. Larry Stein, takes the position that:

"Wisdom tooth extractions can encompass a huge spectrum of surgical possibilities.

The best case is the removal of a single, fully erupted tooth without having to either section (split) the tooth or remove surrounding bone.

This would be classified as a "simple" extraction. Depending on how well you heal and any possible complications, a week to two weeks is probably sufficient. You must be off all medications, free of any complications and able to hold a regulator in your mouth without discomfort.

However, the extraction of a complete (completely surrounded by bone), horizontally impacted wisdom tooth or perhaps 4 of them at one time...with maxillary sinus or mandibular nerve proximity is a much different scenerio.

An incision is made, significant removal of bone is accomplished, and perhaps the tooth is sectioned. What remains is the jaw bone and in particular the lower jaw (or mandible) with two very large hole in it and a sutured flap of gum tissue over each extraction site. Upper extractions would also have a sutured flap over a large hole and there is often maxillary sinus proximity.

There might be some (even considerable) discomfort for several days...longer if there is a "dry socket". There might be swelling. There might be trismus (muscle cramping) from the anesthetic injection, a long period of having the mouth open, and the surgical insult to the bone and soft tissues.

You don't want to dive until there has been a significant return to normal of circulation to the extraction site. The clot within the socket should be allowed to begin resolution, turning into bone and capillary ingrowth has begun.

The position of the lower wisdom teeth is at the intersection of the vertical and horizontal portions of the lower jaw. If a significant amount of bone has been removed from this immediate area to allow for the removal of the tooth, then theoretically this become a weak spot in the jaw and heavy pressure on the regulator will concentrate your bite forces at the extraction sites. There are instances of jaw breakage in this position due to heavy applied forces. While I am not aware of any fractures specifically associated with scuba diving, I think caution is warranted.

In this severe scenerio, I believe that it would be appropriate to wait from 6 weeks out to three months before returning to scuba diving. Many factors would have to be considered and the recommendation might very well change as healing proceeds.

Again, any complications like pain swelling, dry socket, sinus exposure, infection, etc. must factor into this healing time.

Obviously, extraction situations lying between these extremes would require their own requisite recuperation periods."

Helpful?

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[rakkis]

I too am unevolved and have had all my wisdom teeth extracted. My two lower ones were pretty compacted. One was completely horizontal!

Fortunately, I was not actively diving at the time. However, I told my oral surgeon that I SCUBA dive. Other than waiting at least 2-3 months for the scars to heal well, the only biggie as far as diving is concerned is the small possibility of a puncture of your upper maxillary sinuses. This generally heals over time, but may require follow up with x-ray if it was an issue during your extraction.

 

[ziongyal]

During your revecovery there are plenty of forums to keep you busy (I know it's a pale alternative).