Key takeaways:
Experts recommend waiting one week after a tooth extraction before resuming your exercise routine. Working out too soon can lead to complications like dislodged blood clots, a dry socket, and unexpected injuries.
Take recommended medications as instructed, prioritize rest, and gradually return to exercise to help your body heal after a tooth extraction.
Watch for symptoms such as severe pain or facial swelling and consult your dentist if you have them.
We all have daily routines that keep us on the right track. Regular exercise is a big part of many people’s routines. Getting a tooth extracted –– or any oral surgery for that matter –– will temporarily change your exercise routine — or at least it should.
Even if you feel fine after a tooth extraction, your body may not be ready for strenuous activity. That's why it's important to understand the healing process and the risks of exercising too soon.
Give your body adequate time to recover after a tooth extraction, and you'll be back at the gym before you know it.
As with any oral surgery, a tooth extraction requires proper recovery time.
After the procedure, a blood clot should form in the extraction site within the first 24 hours. The clot allows your body to start healing. Total recovery from a tooth extraction will take much longer, but the first day is critical.
Returning to your fitness routine too soon may cause complications that disrupt the healing process. When you exercise, your heart pumps faster, and your blood pressure increases. This is a normal response to physical activity. But the temporary blood pressure spike –– and certain disorders –– may cause excess bleeding around the surgical site, making it hard for a blood clot to form.
If the blood clot doesn’t fully form or is dislodged after a tooth extraction, the bone and nerves are left exposed. This condition is commonly known as dry socket. A tooth socket left in this condition for too long will cause severe pain and swelling.
Exercising too soon may also lead to injury. Some people lose a considerable amount of blood during oral surgery. This blood loss can lead to lightheadedness that makes it difficult to avoid injuries while exercising.
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Generally, experts recommend avoiding all physical activity for at least 24 hours after a tooth extraction. But you may need to avoid certain activities, such as strenuous workouts, for at least one week. Here's a closer look at the post-operative timeline.
The first 24 hours is the recommended period to rest and recover after extraction. Abstaining from physical activity during this time will help avoid issues like dislodged blood clots and injuries.
The following tips can help the blood clot form and stay put:
Place gauze on the surgical site and bite down. Make sure there is enough gauze in the area to apply pressure while biting down. Continue this for at least one hour after surgery or until the site is not actively bleeding. Replace the gauze every 30 minutes.
Don't spit or use straws for at least 24 hours after surgery.
Avoid hard foods that can get stuck in the extraction socket and may dislodge the blood clot.
Do not smoke for 24-48 hours. Smoking will slow blood clot formation.
Paying close attention to the extraction site will ensure the fastest recovery. Be sure to follow any instructions from your dentist.
During this period, continue to avoid strenuous workouts, such as running, jumping, or high-intensity interval training. Low-impact activities, including walking or stretching, should be fine. But know your body's limits. If any activity causes discomfort, stop immediately.
At this point, you can gradually reintroduce lighter, low-impact exercises into your fitness routine. Examples include:
Brisk walking
Slow bike riding
You'll still want to steer clear of any high-intensity exercises that drastically increase your heart rate.
A one-week period is generally enough to ensure proper healing after a tooth extraction. At this point, you may be able to resume your regular exercise routine. But it depends on the severity of your extraction, including how many teeth you had removed. High-intensity workouts may still be too much on your body. Listen to your body and monitor your symptoms.
Minor pain and discomfort are normal after a tooth extraction. But keep an eye out for symptoms that may indicate a problem with recovery. These include but are not limited to:
Severe pain
Facial swelling
Infected pus coming from the extraction site
Pointy bone spicules coming through your gums
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Difficulty swallowing
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your dentist. They’ll provide recommendations for the best way to move forward.
Consider the following tips for a smooth return to exercise after tooth extraction.
Most of the healing after tooth extraction occurs while you sleep. So getting as much rest as possible will support the recovery process. Try to sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first few days after surgery. This position can help prevent swelling.
Although you may feel fine, your body needs time to recover after oral surgery. Take your time returning to your normal workout routine. Start with gentle, low-impact exercises a few days after the procedure. Then, slowly reintroduce more strenuous exercises at least one full week after surgery.
You can play around with exercise volume, intensity, or duration during this transition period. Let's say you usually run for 30 minutes at 6 mph. You can start with a modified session if you're ready to return to running one week after a tooth extraction. That might mean doing a 15-minute run at 4 mph to 5 mph. Then, you can slowly work up to your usual pace, distance, and duration.
Your dentist may recommend taking pain or anti-inflammatory medications for a few days after surgery. Sticking to this regimen will accelerate the healing process. The quicker the extraction site heals, the quicker you can get back to your exercise routine.
Your diet will be limited for several days after oral surgery to ensure proper recovery. This can make it hard to get enough of the nutrients you need to gear up for and bounce back from your usual workouts. Keep this in mind when planning your return to exercise. Be sure to include foods that will give your body energy.
Experts generally recommend waiting at least a week before returning to exercise after a tooth extraction. It's important to follow this guideline, even if you think you're ready before then. Doing strenuous exercise too soon after surgery can lead to complications –– like a dry socket –– that delay the healing process.
Pausing your workout regimen after tooth extraction will ensure a smooth recovery. It will also help you get back to the gym sooner.
Mamoun, J. (2018). Dry socket etiology, diagnosis, and clinical treatment techniques. Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Shadamarshan, R, A., et al. (2021). Post-dental extraction bleeding: Emphasis on the diagnosis of rare coagulation disorders. Clinical Case Reports.
Udeabor, S. E., et al. (2023). Current knowledge on the healing of the extraction socket: A narrative review. Bioengineering.
Yerragudi, N., et al. (2023). The optimal hemostasis duration after tooth extraction: A randomized controlled trial. Cureus.
Yue Yi, E.K., et al. (2021). Prevalence of postoperative infection after tooth extraction: A retrospective study. International Journal of Dentistry.