Had a molar yanked last week (ugh, not my favorite experience) and I’m kinda surprised at how long it’s taking to feel “normal” again. Dentist said rest for a day or two, but I still feel a bit off—like, weird jaw aches and just tired. Did anyone else feel like it took longer to bounce back? How careful were you about eating and moving around?
Title: Took Me a Good Week to Feel Normal Again
- Had a pretty similar experience not too long ago. Had a lower molar pulled and, honestly, it knocked me back more than I expected.
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Yep, that jaw ache and general fatigue lingered for me too. Thought I’d bounce back in a couple of days, but it was closer to a week before I felt like myself again.“I still feel a bit off—like, weird jaw aches and just tired.”
- Eating was a whole thing. Stuck with soft foods (mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs) for about 5 days. Didn’t want to risk getting anything stuck in the socket or dealing with dry socket pain (which I’ve heard is no joke).
- Was careful with movement, especially bending over or lifting anything heavy. I noticed if I did too much, my face would throb a bit more. Took it as my body’s way of saying “slow down.”
- Brushing was gentle and I avoided the extraction site for the first few days. Rinsed with salt water after meals, but waited until my dentist said it was okay.
- Honestly, I think the “rest for a day or two” advice is a little optimistic for some of us. Everyone heals at their own pace. If you’re still feeling off, that’s pretty normal in my book.
- Only thing I’d watch for is any increase in pain, swelling, or weird taste—those can be signs something’s up. Otherwise, give yourself a bit more time. Your body’s doing its thing.
Hang in there. It does get better, even if it takes longer than you hoped.
Honestly, I think the “rest for a day or two” advice is a little optimistic for some of us.
Couldn’t agree more. I went in thinking I’d be back to work the next morning—nope. Ended up using up all my “sick days” and living off instant mashed potatoes for almost a week (cheap and easy, but wow, got old fast). The jaw ache thing is real, and honestly, I’d rather take it slow than risk a dry socket and another bill from the dentist. Sometimes your wallet needs recovery time too...
The “rest for a day or two” thing really doesn’t fit everyone, I’ll admit. I see a lot of people expecting to bounce right back and then being surprised by how much it takes out of them. Personally, after my own extraction (lower molar, not even a wisdom tooth), I was wiped out for three days. Couldn’t chew anything solid, and the swelling made it feel like my face doubled in size. I tried to push through and answer work emails from home, but honestly, my focus was shot. There’s this weird combo of jaw ache, dull pain, and just feeling off that’s hard to describe unless you’ve been through it.
I’ve noticed in practice that some folks really do recover quickly, but a lot need more time—especially if there’s any complication or if the extraction was tricky. Dry socket is no joke, and I’ve seen people come back in with way more pain than before because they rushed things. The cost factor is real too...one visit turns into three, and suddenly you’re out more than just sick days.
Soft foods get old fast, right? I remember living on yogurt and scrambled eggs for what felt like forever. It’s not just about the pain, either—there’s a mental fatigue that comes with not being able to eat normally or sleep well. I always tell people to listen to their bodies and not just the “typical” timeline. Everyone’s different, and sometimes taking it slow is the smarter move, even if it means rearranging your week (or your grocery list).
Totally relate to the mental fatigue part—didn’t expect that at all. I kept worrying I’d mess something up by eating the wrong thing or moving too much, so I was super cautious. Guess I thought I’d be fine after a couple days, but it took almost a week before I felt like myself. Honestly, I’m still sticking to soft foods just in case. Glad I’m not the only one who needed extra time.